From Miami to Jamaica: A Musical Journey with Lurain, Now Thriving in Atlanta"

Meet Lurain, a Miami native raised in Jamaica. Lurain recently told us about her musical path. She explained how living in Jamaica affected her love of music and how the island is nothing short of beautiful. Inspired by some of the greats of reggae, she discussed bringing the island vibe to Atlanta to shake things up.

Thank you Lurain, for starting off the new year with SUNNI SOCIETY. Connecting with new artist is what we strive to do. I'm excited to share your journey with the artistic community!

Big up Sunni with the money! Thank you ever so much for this amazing opportunity to share my kool story with the community. I love art! Respect and nuff blessings to you.

Born in Miami and brought up in Jamaica. What was that like for you? I'm happy to say I had a chance to visit the island about a year ago and was in awe of the beauty. Having access to it daily had to be an euphoric experience to you.

Growing up in Jamaica was so fun and adventurous, I miss Jamaica so much! As a kid, you would always be around music whether it's church, your neighbor’s party, walking on the street or even your grandma playing the old reggae tunes while cleaning the house. Music has always been with me! Jamaica is the best country in the Caribbean and on Earth (sorry to the other islands). What I miss the most about Jamaica is being able to go to the river or beach to cool off and ease your mind from everyday life problems or stress. The nearest beach here is in Savannah and that isn’t even real. Another thing I miss is the food!! I love food, I want to be a food. One of my favorite things to do after school was go to the shrimp lady and buy pepper shrimp eat it and wash it off with a bag juice. I miss that! I am beyond glad you got to experience the island yourself and see the beauty that reigns there.

When is comes to your love for music, how much of an impact did the island have on your passion and what made you bring that passion to the City of Atlanta?

Like I mentioned before, being on the island music would always be around you no matter what! You’d go to the beach a one or two Bob Marley or Beres Hammond would play, you go up to your neighbor’s house music is playing no matter what you do, music would always be there. I remember when I was younger my dad had a microphone to this day I have no idea what for but it was just there. I would take the microphone and host my own concert with it at home no one but me and the couches, I would often freestyle and write to instrumentals or even sit down and create a beat with my bare hands or whatever object I can find around the house. I decided to bring my passion to the city of Atlanta because new sounds are needed, the scene is overbearing and oversaturated, almost everyone is the same, just different fonts. It’s like where’s the originality these days? I’ve always been a rebel and never a follower. I always strive to STAND OUT so why not STAND OUT with nuff vibes behind it? Exactly! Like they say back home and ting don’t watch crowd don’t medz people just believe inna yuhself and MOVE! Selah.

Outside of the island culture, what are the other sources of inspiration you draw from? Who are some artist who inspire you to keep going?

I get inspiration every single day whether it’s big or small. There is inspiration outside everyday, trust me. I also like to venture off into other countries’ culture and music, one country I fell in love with is Brasil. That is how 5AM IN SAO PAULO was born, shoutout to my Brazilians, te amo! I love Brazil, Brazilian people and their music. My favorite genre is baile funk. Hopefully I get to visit and experience the culture live in the flesh, hopefully perform my song. That would be AMAZING! There are so many different artists from all over the world that inspire me to keep going. Artists like Asake, Mohbad (may he Rest in forever Peace) Shallipoppi, Sho Madjozi, Koffee, Vybz Kartel, Rihanna, Asap Rocky, Valiant, and more. Their work and love for music inspires me a lot!

If you could make a song with any artist right now, who would it be and why?

I know I just listed a bunch of artists prior but oh my god, If I could make a song with any artist right now it would be Chris Brown. His past aside, the man is pure talent and true embodiment of art. It is a dream collab of mine that literally would be so fire see the day when that opportunity presents itself to me, I’d probably think it was a prank. But yeah super talented individual and super passionate about art. After all art is freedom and he express himself like many of us do through different forms of art.

As a masc Caribbean woman, do you feel like the music industry is becoming more diverse? Do you think it's easier in this day and age for artist of diverse backgrounds to have more breakthroughs? 

Yes, of course! Everyday new artists from every part of the world are emerging and that is super dope. People are getting to express themselves whichever way they want and I love that because fuck society fuck the norm JUST LIVE AND BE YOU. It is super easier to since nowadays people are becoming more open minded and accepting, now there is still going to be the naysayers but f*ck em who cares what they think?

Your song "5am In Sao Paolo" feels like a preview of Summer 2024. Will you be releasing more similar songs in the near future?

OH ABSOLUTELY! I have many MANY more tunes planned strictly for the gyal dem enjoy and dance to ;) VIBES! I don’t want to say too much but know vibes are on the way!

What are some gems you have learned along the way during your musical journey? How will you continue to apply them this year?

Some gems I learned on this journey is to study the business so no one screws you over, you cannot be too trusting of everyone, big things take time, and to always be yourself no matter what. There’s plenty more to learn!!

Before I close off this ting, I want to leave another quote I go by everyday by the LEGEND BOB MARLEY:

“One good thing about music is that when it hits you feel no PAIN”

Remember art is freedom so be free keep expressing and be YOU

One Love! Big up yuhself and BELIEVE!