This is my interview for my artist, that I will be using on my Double Page spread, I have highlighted the quotes I would like to use on the double page spread.
Poll Winner
Raine
Best Newcomer
Introduction
Ready
or not here Raine comes, the newest flame and newcomer to the industry,
already taking social media by storm
with her powerful covers of some of Neo Soul’s biggest and best hits from
artists such as Erykah Badu, D’Angelo,
Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Sade, The fugees and many more.
She is a modern day “little woman”.
Cameras flash, the buzz of interest and
excitement bubbles amongst staff; everyone’s eyes are focused on one person in
particular. Raine has just entered the room. Sporting a retro string blouse, tight
fitting satin trousers, Vagabond Dion dupes, rounded 90s glasses and an original
white satchel; her glowing afro with shimmering curls and a dark lip, she
Saunters elegantly with her “Entourage” close behind into the room, carrying
the presence of a mature young woman. She kindly greets all of us, with a firm
shake of the hand and a smile. Raine has gone from a YouTube sensation to
something bigger, much bigger in fact; the face of the new generation of music,
fresh into the game has taken on the world by storm.
We settle down in serene surrounding and a
relaxed atmosphere. This is our first time of meeting “London’s Newest Flame”.
With the classic Neo Soul Genre not being as popular with the new younger
generation as it was with the older generation, it is quite a hard market to
cater to. Quite an unusual for a young person.
“I guess the fact
that this genre spoke to me and allowed me to run away with my thoughts when I
was at my lowest points; is what attracted me most to this genre. Don’t get me
wrong I embrace all types of genres such as, Hip-Hop, UK Grime, Garage, House,
R&B, Afro beats and Bashment. But Soul itself”. She pauses and smiles. “It
Just fills my soul with hope, allows me to paint my picture’s with words and
share them with the many other millions of people around the world; soul is my
secret of escape.” “Neo Soul is diverse
within its self, as individual I am diverse, I
don’t follow the norms to society that everyone else may follow, I wear, say, do and create what I want. I guess you could
say I am different”
Connecting with a genre is only part of the
story to getting into music; we were really interested in what made her join
this genre, and expand her horizons within the musical world and to make sure
her presence was known.
“I guess when you are going through the
darkest of times especially at such a young age; you tend to find a way to
voyage out of reality. For me it was music, listening to the way people spoke
through their music and being able to relate, it made me feel that I was not
the only one. So in response to that I created my own music.”
“I
wanted people to hear the thoughts in my mind and soul, not based only on my
appearance. Plus I had a lot of people to prove wrong; they were part of my
motivation to do this, they told me I would never amount to anything. Even if I
didn’t get signed or “Make it” at least my name would be out there at least I
tried. It was a risk I was willing to take and to this day I am so glad I took
it, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting with you here today.”
Although being popular in the game, Raine
still has to keep on “bringing the juice”; especially with the surge of new and
upcoming artists around competing for the same exposure and possibly in the
same exposure. With the balance of student life, social and family life and the
musical life it’s a mystery how she keeps current with new sounds.
“Success
does not come without hard work; I have to
be diligent with what I want from this amazing experience, I worked hard and I
am still working to get to where I want to be. I take time to plan and organise
the process, of interviews, studio time, shows, college and social time with
friends and family, with the help of my mother of course.”
“Balancing
your life is key, otherwise you can end up neglecting what is most important,
and that’s not what I am about. My life has taken a drastic turn but I am still
in control, which helps keep my mind balanced which allows me to function
fully.”
We look into how she creates her unique
sound and gives her own flare to it, that seems to keep the public buzzing and
on their feet.
“Musically
I dug deep into the forgotten, I looked at the old and matched it with the new,
to create a new sort of sound, a new Neo Soul, and it seems people have
forgotten about the original songs that artists seem to take elements and to make
their own. Nothing is the same as the original, the original is unique, and the
way they played the blues in the 19th Century is so different to the
21st Century. That’s how I was able to remix the Cover of Ready or
Not, I took elements of the original and combined it with my elements.”
She then goes on to explain how grateful
she is, for the people that were behind her all the way through and what family
really means to her.
“Family
is everything to me, they supported me though my dreams and really got me to where
I am today. I make sure they are there with me every step of the way as they
are a part of my dream especially my mother. My mother is my biggest fan and
has supported me throughout, she is officially my manager. If it wasn’t for her
my “change of lifestyle” would have been even more hectic than I could imagine.
“She chuckles These people I came with today are no longer my friends but they
are my family, they travel everywhere with me and they are due to come on tour
with me, as I said before they are a huge part of my dream, which they should
enjoy with me.”
“Finally,
God, always have a relationship with God, growing up with God gave me strength to
carry on to keep on going up to this very point in my life. I also thank God
for making my dreams possible, I make sure I pray every day even when
travelling or horrendously tired I always make sure I do.”
Raine is one of the newest to the game, and
has been sitting comfortably for a couple of months now with the success of her
mix tapes and debut album, what is there to expect from her, a new cover, an
amazing album, a sold out tour, a clothing line? What is next?
“I
can’t delve too much into what is up next, but all I can say is don’t sleep on
me, this is just the start for me, I have plenty more of where these couple of
months have come from, just wait on it.”
With that, we rounded up the interview and
said our farewells as she left with her entourage to prepare for her
performance. The interview went well; her aura brought a sense of peace, well
being and determination; I have no doubt in what is to come from such an
amazing artist. This will not be the last time hearing from Raine.
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