Hailing from Newburgh, New York, Jacques Laine is on a mission to share his story with hip hop fans, as he is fresh off the release of his newest single, “Piano Riff.” Inspired by his experiences growing up in the small city of Newburgh, the budding rapper has built a name for himself, by simply being himself.
“Life is fun when you create the space to be yourself and experience growth,” Laine shared in a recent interview. “A lot of the time, the music I make is a reflection of a place in life I was at previously but was able to get past,” he added.
For many artists today, authenticity is a rare but sought-after trait, acting as the fuel that can make or break the path to success. For Laine, authenticity comes easily, playing a significant role in his self-described fresh, New York sound.
“I’m a very blunt and straightforward person, and I think that shows up in my music in a relatable way. I try to shed light on a lot of the things that people are going through in my hometown in an authentic way,” the rapper shared. “My city [Newburgh] is authentic to the core, and it has a special place in my heart that inspires me,” he added.
“Piano Riff” is a song that has a special place in Jacques Laine’s heart, and definitely shows off the raw, gritty style of his music. With this track, he shows that he’s nothing to play with and audiences will have a lot more to look forward to this year. Some of his influences include Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Kanye, Andre 3000, and J. Cole, there is no wonder he is a true lyricist with fresh ideas and beats that take you into another world. His entire catalog is equally worthy of praise.
After just one listen to “Piano Riff,” it’s clear to see why Jacques Laine is someone to be on the lookout for.
“It’s really just me in my full lyricist bag with no hook or anything,” he said. “Just bar after bar. I wrote it toward the end of summer when there were a lot of things going on back home.”
Check out the new release below.