Who is Nashawn Raines?

Chicago artist Nashawn Raines has managed to keep a consistent catalogue of hit records since his debut on the music scene as an independent artist in early 2000. With his very influential sound and style added to a high level of confidence, Nashawn doesn’t plan on going anywhere any time soon. The ability to write, produce, Engineering & mix his own records makes him that much more of a lethal weapon in the music industry.

As you see your self, who is Nashawn Raines?

Nashawn Raines is a true dream chaser. The definition of never giving up on your dream. After chasing a music dream for 15 years things are finally starting to pay off but I’m a strong believer in everything happening when and as it should. I really feel like God wanted to remove people from around me before taking me to that next level. I’m a very driven person who believes in never quitting.

What brought you to the entertainment industry and music specifically?

Just the love for music it’s self. The sound of instruments being combined together to make one vibe and once I learned that I could use my voice as an instrument I really got attached to music.

What and/or who influenced the sound you bring today?

Brian McKnight, t-pain, Jamie Foxx, Chris brown then drake as I got older. I learn as much as I can from others without mimicking their style to the point where it’s like I’m trying to be that person.

What’s happened in your career that makes you feel this is the industry for you?

I think just the growth of my music over time, allowing myself to get better as an artist and realizing that it’s not the industry that makes you a great artist, it’s your hard work you out in before you get in the industry and once you’ve mastered your craft it turns into the question of if the industry is ready for what I have to offer.

What was the biggest obstacle in getting to your current career phase?

Biggest obstacle for me would be learning how to do what I love how I want & please the fans. Making sure they are satisfied with what I have to offer because it’s almost like you’ll never know until you just put it out there and let the people gravitate to it. Once I put out my first body of work, it showed me that I was on the right path.

What do you want people to get from your music?

From my music I want people to get clarification from their current situation and even past situations that they haven’t gotten answers to. I want to keep the music as relatable as possible to the point where you can refer it to a friend if you know someone going through the situation being explained in the music and it gets passed down from generation to generation.

Tell us about your current project?

I’m currently releasing two singles called “heart on the line” & “got it like that” which both have visuals being released with them. Very relatable subjects that I’ve personally been through that I wanted to share with others. I think it’ll give me an even better connection with my fans so they can see what I’m about and what I stand for as a person, not just an artist.

What do you feel has been your greatest life achievement so far?

My greatest life achievement would be learning to engineer my own music. I say that being it allowed me to not only save money but I got a chance to have a better connection with the music from being alone so much recording and just being honest with myself. Being able to mold my own sound without others playing a roll in it.

If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Micheal Jackson because of his level of uniqueness. There will never be another.

If you had to pick one song of yours, that really explains YOU, what would it be?

I’d say “heart on the line” only because that songs so deeply cut dry and to the point that you have no choice but to hear that I’m the most understanding person I know even when I’m being done wrong. In that song, I speak on a woman not willing to give me a chance due to her past bad relationships and I’m understanding enough to deal with all the rejection and drama that comes along with dating this woman due to her insecurities. It’s kind of a gift and a curse seeing that not days people take your kindness for weakness

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment…

Never really had one of those moments because I keep a small circle of solid people and anyone outside of that, I don’t even pay attention to stupidity.

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