Lily Rayne

Rayne is an upcoming artist from Rhode Island who acts as a voice for the creative youths. The 19-year-old raptress’s cool-laid back vibes come across clean in her promising sound on her tracks. Her current track “On” is buzzing the Internet, giving the starlet the perfect opportunity to take her chance to capture her audience and eventually takeover. When the hopeful star and I chopped it up on the phone I could feel her potential through the phone. The vibes were A1 and from then I knew we had a good convo going. Rayne was kind enough to chop it up with RESPECT. to give us an insight in her world, influences, new music and more. Check it below.

RESPECT.: Who is Rayne for those not familiar?
Rayne is a girl who has a genuine love and talent for music. Rayne is still learning, growing and evolving everyday. I’m from Rhode Island, not a lot of people are known for hip-hop here so I want to put on for my hood.
RESPECT.: So I’m loving “On” — tell me something about the record.
It’s dope,right? [laughs] Thank you. “On,” I just found the beat online and I started rhyming words. It just flowed and I kept going. It’s crazy that’s legit my second song and the plays/clicks it’s gotten on Soundcloud is just growing more and more everyday. I’m blessed.


RESPECT.: Justine Skye recently snapped listening to your song, how did that make you feel?
It made me feel so good. Somebody showed me the video and I was excited. When she found out it was my song she followed me on Twitter. I didn’t want to be thirsty and ask for a song or anything [laughs] but she makes dope music and I’m glad she was feeling a song I created. That meant a lot.


RESPECT.: Growing up who influenced you to do music?
Music has always been apart of me. I use to intern at a record label so I learned some game doing that. That was a great experience. But as far as musicians influencing me, definitely Pharrell. He is a big one. He is such a legend. His talent is unmatched. Soulja Boy, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill and SZA as well. Just to name a few.
RESPECT.: In this day and age, rap is sort of divided between conscious and turn up. Where do you think you fall in?
I can do both. Us as millineials we know what we like within 7 seconds. So as an artist to capture your attention, yeah I’m going to give you the turn up music. But when you really start hearing my name, believe I can deliver.
RESPECT.: What mark do you want to leave in the industry?
A creator of dope shit, not just songs. I really want to get into producing, but I want to master one thing at a time. When I get time though, I’m going to body that as well. Just wait.
RESPECT.: What’s your favorite song right now?
SZA’s “twoAM.” That’s my life in a song. She’s so raw with her lyrics.
RESPECT.: You have two decent tracks under your belt for someone who has not been rapping that long. When is the mixtape dropping?
I told myself summer. August, I would have it for them.
RESPECT.: Anything you want to let your day 1’s and/or haters know?
Fans: I want y’all to know this is only the beginning for me. There is so much in store for all of us. As far as the haters: lol y’all bored.
Follow Rayne on Twitter to keep up with her! - Respect

Rayne – “On!”

So much rap feels neutered by laptop speakers and earbuds.

I want to hear Providence, Rhode Island rapper Rayne’s “On!” in a disgusting warehouse party with distorted speakers and cheap beers. I want to hear it late at night in the midst of a hypnotic hip-hop set. I want to see some kids dancing like Chief Keef and his shirtless army in the “Don’t Like” to it.

“On!” is simple and catchy, memorable after one listen (or immediately hatable when you press play, probably a depending on your age and general rap predilections). It succeeds on its skeletal production and Rayne’s energetic monotone. - Pigeons & Planes

ndeed, SoundCloud used to be a place where independent and underground artists could thrive. Unfortunately, the service seems to be going downhill, from the uninspiring foray into paid subscriptions with SoundCloud Go to continuing outcries over copyright infringement disputes regarding DJ mixes and remixes to general clogged feeds from an overabundance of reposts.

That said, it's still possible to discover hidden gems, those independent artists who haven't quite hit their stride when it comes to building a fan base but who still elicit a spark of promise. In other words, artists making great music who have yet to surpass the 1,000-follower mark.

Lily Rayne (@raynenotrain) — 669 Followers


I first discovered Lily Rayne last year, through her energetic rap song “On!” Since then, she’s released only a few more songs, including “Problem?” where we see Rayne trade rapping for singing.

“Problem?”—featuring Jaguar XX—employs airy keys and a fluttering synth, as Rayne flexes her stance and prowess. It’s a braggadocious, laid-back anthem from the Providence, Rhode Island musician who’s slowly trying to sculpt her sound.

Other recent releases like "Rhode Girl" point to that sound being well-suited for the atmospheric, late-night hours. - DJ BOOTH: The Authority in Hip Hop