LayneHarper

Stream & Download "Rise", the new song from Layne Harper exclusively at DJBooth.net - DjBooth.net

Hot out the Memphis streets is the latest from rising rapper/artist Layne Harper, who brings good vibes and positive aspirations in his new track, ‘Rise and Vibe’. “This sounds so refreshin’…I’d rather be the best father in the world than the next rap legend,” says Harper. Built up with some trap claps (courtesy of producer Luke Witherspoon III), the track is a breath of fresh air in a stagnate genre, breaking from the message: “more money, more hoes, more bling”. Listen up. - VibeMagazine.com

Layne Harper takes time to show love to the fans during his high energy set. - BET.com

Are you seraching hard this summer to look for a new dope rapper? Well, look no further. Memphis rapper Layne Harper released the sequel to his 2011 project Beyond Catergory. Beyond Category 2 provides euphoric beats with a twist of dope rhymes from Harper. The six-track project is a small project packed with a lot of features, including AG Lyonz, The Music Luvas, and a guitar creadit from Christopher Dean. - AllHipHop.com

Layne Harper is bigger than a genre. His music has been authentic and it seems like that’s never going to change. The only thing that will change is how epic his work will become. I was lucky enough to sit down with the Memphis born and Brooklyn/Germany raised musician right after a rehearsal with his band at Smash Studios, in preparation for hitting the stage that night for the BET Music Matters concert at SOB’s. Right after his band hit the last note of his set, Mr. Harper calmly stepped over to answer some questions about having a family in the Hip-Hop industry, upcoming free music for his fans aka his extended family, and much more. - TheSource.Com

On our constant pursuit of dope musical material, we recently got a dope new video sent over to us from the up and coming wordsmith, Layne Harper. The track is called “FOE” and finds the lyricist bringing us a smooth, soulful, introspective track, showing off his lyrical talents, while taking us on a ride through his lifetime. Layne is nothing to sleep on, and he showcases exactly why on the track.

The video finds Layne giving us a fitting, interesting, old school looking clip that finds the wordsmith performing his track while some stunning imagery flashes before our eyes. “FOE” stands for ‘Facts Of Existence’ and the video brings it all full circle. Sleep not on this one, check out the video after the jump and speak your mind down below. The track is part of Layne’s new project, Beale St. Blues. - StupidDope.com

Layne Harper will be performing live at SOB's in New York City for BET Music Matters on 5/14/13!!! - Sobs.com

We challenged someone to rap over Isaac Hayes‘ “Run Fay Run” from the Kill Bill soundtrack and Layne Harper rose to the occasion, using the legendary track to allude to the source material as well as declare some grievances against the police and the IRS. Admittedly, he had Luke Witherspoon III muddle the beat a little bit, which wasn’t exactly what we had in mind when we initially made the challenge, but shame on us for not specifying and kudos to him for taking a swing. Listen below. And follow us on Twitter for more moments like this. - Respect-Mag.com

His music is refreshing and not quite what you’d expect to hear in an industry over-saturated with talk of drugs, sex, murder and mayhem. He’s handsome, charismatic and possesses a down-to-earth demeanor that sets him apart from his counterparts. His passion for music and Hip Hop culture illuminates any stage he touches but it is without a doubt that Layne Harper had me at FFAS which stands for Father First Artist Second.

Layne Harper was once signed to Def Jam Records but recently decided to put his entrepreneurial talents to the test and go the independent route. Layne spoke candidly about his departure from the label, “It’s about creative control. I am thankful to everything I learned while working with Def Jam. They are very good at what they do. For me though, as an artist, I have a responsibility to my fans but most importantly to my family to give the world music that is conducive to who I am not just as an artist but as a man of God, a husband and a father.”

Sleeping With The Enemy isn’t just the name of the movie Julia Roberts starred in, in 1991. It just so happens to be the first track off Layne Harper latest effort, Beyond Category 2, and is by far my favorite. The beat is captivating and the story told through his lyrics take many of us to a place that we often only see in the movies. But it is “Look At Me” that stands out as it touches on the racial inequalities that have escalated as a result of the poor policing in urban communities nationwide. Harper lays it out on wax and plain enough of anyone to understand, “No justice, no peace so we in the streets. Saying f**k the police, we not making peace. Tryna gun us down the same way that they did Michael Brown. You heard about it.”

Beyond Category 2 is by far different from anything that you might consider “mainstream” and is for sure worth being played in your speakers or headphones. - ar-report.com

" In this explosive, yet inspirational, interview - he tells The Wrap Up why he made the decision to sever his ties. Plus, he tells us his hopes for 2011, the inspiration behind his latest track, ‘Good Ol’ Days’, and much more…" - Stephen Almond

"The Break Presents: Layne Harper This Memphis, TN wordsmith is prepping to release his upcoming LOVE is the new HATE next week, to be digitally distributed by Island/Def Jam Recordings…" - XXL Magazine

"I've been following an artist from the U.S who goes by the name of Layne Harper for a while now. After downloading his mixtapes and doing a little bit of research I became a very big fan of his and found myself tweeting about him every minute. Who would've known that one day that i'd get to interview him? He's been featured on The Source, New Beats Media, My second home Hip-Hop Isn't Dead, Vibe, MTV, XXL and now right here on Music and Madness! Starting off in music from the age of five, working with Kanye West and Q-Tip and now signed to Island/Def Jam Recordings, I got to ask Mr Harper a few questions..." - Cheyenne Davis

"Some months ago we brought you the Q-Tip produced “City Lights” from upcoming rapper Layne Harper. Bringing some more refreshing sounds for the new year, the Tennessee rapper’s video for his new track ‘Cafe Con Leche’ is a shaky, abstract offering but offers a pleasing alternative to the chiched visuals still plaguing our screens. With this lush, ambient cut from his album HATE Is The New LOVE, Harper is an exciting prospect who is a definite ‘one to watch’ for 2011." - Henry Yanney

"Layne Harper starts the new year off with his promised mixtape, Layne Harper vs. The World." - Brian Marschhauser

"This aggressive track by Layne Harper, produced by Lex Luger makes you want to go straight to the gym... to blow off steam after a long week!" - Mikey Fresh

"As 2010 comes to a close, the industry starts to look for new names to add to their 2011 “Who To Watch” list. Get ready to add one more name to that list, Layne Harper. The Memphis-born and Germany/NYC-raised emcee has built a buzz for himself in the underground for his witty wordplay and charismatic style. Growing up with Hip-Hop in his blood lines, Layne had no choice but to pursue Rap as a career. With his new mixtape, Hate Is The New Love, dropping soon, the rest of the world will soon be learning the name Lyne Harper. With production by Q-Tip, Kanye West, Lex Lugar and Boi-1-da to name a few, you can be sure that Layne Harper will be on everyone’s radar soon. Yo! Raps caught with Layne to discuss how he got into Hip-Hop, his music and what he would tell other up-n-coming artists trying to make their way through the game." - Mekha

"This deep into the blog-olution, we all know that what sets apart a worthwhile site from every other page full of Inter-crap is a really good curator to separate the wheat from the chaff. One of our favorite curators in town at this very moment is D'llisha Davis from hip-hop blog 2Lsonacloud.com, and we are more than a little stoked that she's bringing her unique vision into the clubs — it basically guarantees a great night out. Featuring both local and regional acts — including Island/Def Jam Recordings artist Layne Harper, Memphis' Skewby, New Orleans retro lady-duo Plane Jane and our very own Classic Williams, Stix Izza and Sam & Tre — plus a boatload of local fashion folks and media types, Birth of the Originals has all the makings of a dope evening out on the town. And when they throw in a good cause — they'll be taking donations for a young girl recently diagnosed with cancer — you just can't argue with this stroke of curatorial goodness." - Sean L. Maloney

"Congrats to DJ Jemaine (Fear Factor Music Group) for producing Layne Harper's first single off his Def Jam digitally distributed album "HATE is the new LOVE". Layne Harper is a rapper from Memphis, TN." - DJ Smallz

"Not entirely sure who Layne Harper is yet, but with production cosigns from Q-Tip and now Kanye West, he's headed somewhere."
- HipHopDX.Com

"Layne Harper is a Memphis-born rapper who recently secured a record deal with the legendary, Def Jam, record label. Big things are expected from Layne this year, and he took time out to talk to NewBeatsMedia about: his hopes for 2011, what it is like to have had tracks produced by Kanye West and Q-tip, how he will accomplish any goal he sets himself, plus what inspired his latest track, Café Con Leche." - Stephen Almond