5 Questions with Loraine ‘Raine’ Seville

This week, 5 Questions With … gets into the Mother’s Day groove with a delightful interview with singer and songwriter Loraine ‘Raine’ Seville and her beautiful, talented teenage daughter, Layla-Rei. 

Raine is one of those artistes who keeps her family life on a mode called ‘private’, but the pure love and heart-warming mother-daughter dynamics she shares with Layla-Rei cannot be hidden. As an artiste, the Rain A Fall singer - who was handed the title ‘First Lady of Daseca’ early in her career – has managed to keep her focus musically on the things that matter, while smoothly distancing herself from the inane.

Her story starts very early when, as a child, her passion for music shone brightly and eventually led her to enter ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ as a teenager. However, school was always important, and, with her family’s support, she attended the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (2006–2007) before changing course and graduating from the University of Technology, Jamaica with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business. Another chapter in her story saw her leave a secure, lucrative marketing job to pursue music. Some questioned the wisdom of the decision, but as her bio states, “Raine Seville has learnt to apply her marketing knowledge to her career, identifying herself as a brand that speaks to ingenuity, positivism and responsibility”.

Over the years, Raine has built a catalogue of songs which range from conscious to titillating. Among them are Oh Yeah, Hideaway, Belly Whine, Be Careful (Slippery When Wet), along with collabs such as Naked and Crying Out for Peace with Serani; Reserve with Bugle; and Mentally Insane with Vybz Kartel. Raine describes herself as a dedicated, spiritual, and focused artiste who is always willing to learn. 

Special thanks to Layla-Rei for pausing her studies to answer our questions, and we wish her every success in her examinations.

1. How challenging is it to balance motherhood and your career, especially when you have shows overseas and have to be away for extended periods?

Raine: Initially, it was a bit challenging … mentally, there's guilt that most moms feel when you have to leave your child to attend to work, so I definitely experienced that. However, thanks to my support system, my mom and my older sister, who would always chip in as the nurturers while I work, that made it easier for me over time. Also, I'm naturally a multifaceted woman, so I love the challenge of balancing the priorities in my life, and I would say so far, I'm doing a great job (laughs)!

2. If you had to choose one song that sums up life as a mother, what would that song be and why?

Raine: Boyz to Men [A Song for] Mama. The lyrics express clearly the continuous love and sacrifice a mother has to make for her children, regardless of how she may be doing or feeling in a given moment. We still show up and figure it out for our children. We don't give up on our kids. We love and support them unconditionally.

3. What is the best advice your mother has ever given you, and have you passed it on?

Raine: There are so many, it's hard to choose. My mom always instilled in me the power of prayer and trusting in God, the importance of my education and working for what I want so as not to rely on anyone. Lastly, to always love myself and my daughter unconditionally.

4. What important lesson have you learnt from your daughter?

Raine: Through my daughter, Layla-Rei, I have learnt the importance of being a strong and tenacious woman in every circumstance, because she is paying attention and she's taking notes. Based [on] my strength and tenacity in every aspect of both of our lives, she will grow to model that same or even greater strength throughout her life.

5. What do you admire most about your mother, and in what ways would you want to be just like her?

Layla-Rei: I admire most her perseverance and ambition. I feel like, of recent, a lot of people either lack ambition or give up very easily. I, too, at times, find myself wanting to give up on something after two attempts at it … (laughs); but I always remind myself that in growing to be more like my mommy, I need to always keep pushing, cry if I need to; but after the tears, I must keep going regardless of failure or setbacks.

BRAWTA:

Share with us something about your mom that people would be surprised to know.

Layla-Rei: (Smiles) Regardless of how extroverted she may seem, my mother loves staying home … and she rarely puts her sleep schedule on the line when she’s not working (laughs). She always gets what she needs to get done and ensures it's all done in a timely manner to not interfere with her eight hours of beauty sleep!

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com

CAPTIONS:

Raine Seville and Layla-Reic4589:

Singer-songwriter Raine Seville says her daughter, Layla-Rei, has taught her the importance of being strong and resilient in every circumstance. In turn, Layla-Rei admires her mother’s drive and determination to keep pushing forward.

Raine Seville and Layla-Reic45:

Singer-songwriter Raine Seville