Meet Emerging Artist Laney Keyz
Back Story – Originally from Oakland, California, 23-year-old Laney Keyz is a rising artist with plans to make a big name for himself within the music scene. Keyz had a particularly tough and unstable upbringing. He was adopted as a child, with 5 adopted siblings, and didn’t meet his real parents until the age of 12. He grew up in a rough bay area neighborhood and took to an early life of crime thus spending most of his adolescence in and out of juvenile hall and prison. During his time in jail, he took to reading books and writing music to get him through the lows and turn his life back around. Since then he has been working religiously with a tight-knit group of producers to establish his place within the rap world, and get his message out to those that need to hear it.
As a child, his biggest influences in music were Meek Mill as well as his own godfather, David.“I liked Meeks’s music so much because it gave me hope. I felt like we were from similar backgrounds and in his songs, it was like he was rapping about my real life. It made me feel like I actually have a chance. My godfather also influenced me because he was a rapper, he wasn’t big or anything, but he was a hood legend. At the time I believed it was because of rap and I wanted to be just like him.”
Keyz just dropped two new singles Knockout and Russia and both songs deliver a strong vibe; representing two different times in his life. The young lion definitely has something to say…
The Hype Magazine Got Laney Keyz to weigh in on a few things
Was there a defining moment that made you decide music was the career path for you?
I grew up in a house with five siblings and I was basically a middle child. I felt like no one ever heard me or cared about anything I had to say. I didn’t feel my opinion was valued whether it was valid or not. For a while, it actually stopped me from seeing my own value. Music is my way of being heard. A reminder of self-value.
How did you come to develop your own personal style?
Honestly, this is something that is still developing. I’m learning new things every day so it’s hard to define my style at this point.
Tell us about your new releases and what they represent for you.
They represent the journey I’ve been on. These songs remind me of all of the things I been through trying to get to where I am. I recorded these songs at 2 different points in my life so it’s amazing to see them dropping at the same time.
Do you have any passions outside of music?
I love to learn. I don’t mean school or anything. I like learning from people who’ve experienced the things I’m going through. I value my relationships and I want to do everything I can to help them flourish. My way of doing that is by educating others so they don’t have to go through the things I went through.
Closing thoughts?
I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my life. I’ve always been big on growth. This year has been a growing experience for me and I know there is a lot more in store so I look forward to what’s coming.
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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