Reggae Singer Alaine Shares Love Again

She walked away from JP Morgan, a stable paycheck, and the “safe” life to bet on reggae music and built a strong catalog of reggae love songs that continue to find new fans across the globe. We’re joined by singer-songwriter Alaine, and we get into what longevity really looks like when your career is powered by faith, craft, and a refusal to fake it for clout.

We go behind the scenes of her single “Love Again” on the No Better Riddim, produced by Damian “Jr Gong” Marley. Alaine shares the moment she got the WhatsApp invite to be on the riddim and the sting of hearing her first song she wrote wasn’t working. Hearing how she regrouped, found inspiration, and rewrote the song into the version that landed is a valuable lesson in taking feedback to improve. We also touch on sharing the juggling with Jemere Morgan and Pressure, plus a fun and honest turn into relationship green flags, red flags, respect, and the kind of self-forgiveness it takes to be ready to love again.

We talk about evolving over 20 plus years in the reggae industry, meeting the best and worst kinds of people, and learning how to protect your voice while still staying open. Alaine breaks down why intention matters more than virality, how she chooses projects, and what authenticity means when the internet is always asking artists to perform a persona. 

Transcript

Welcome And Guest Introduction

SPEAKER_01 0:02

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Styling Vibes Podcast with yours truly Michaela. If you're new to the family, welcome, family. If you are returning, welcome back, family. And today we have new family to the Styling Vibes podcast, the one and only singer-songstress, reggae, superstar, in my opinion. Aline, welcome, welcome. Thank you, thank you. I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy to have you. And and I know you have been in this business doing amazing, amazing work. Your voice is just absolutely angelic. And uh not no nobody have nothing but for Sebotio, and your voice just pun up, and it just everything you touch really is is just angelic. And that's all that's how I can describe your voice to me in totality. But I I know you've been in this business for a long time. So talk to me about just evolving over the years and and how you have changed as an artist um

Leaving Banking For Reggae

SPEAKER_01 1:06

and what does it mean to still be doing music today.

SPEAKER_00 1:09

Oh wow. Um so growing up, I was always encouraged to sing. And about 20 years ago, I started my reggae music journey. Before that, I was in investment backing in New York, you know, after I went to school out here, moved to New York, and I was working at JP Morgan, and then I decided to take a leap of faith to sing reggae music, and I was excited and terrified at the same time because, you know, when you tell anybody that you're going to quit your 95 with your 401k and your pension plan for reggae music, they look at you like you're out of your mind, you know. I got people who said to me, you know, you're going to dead for hungry, you know, singers don't make money. You're just gonna be another out-of-work singer. And I I was nervous, but I was also excited because the truth is that nothing feels like music. Nothing is as filling, nothing is as exciting, you know, as as music. And while I was working on in investment banking, I was also moonlighting and writing in any studios that I could get in in New York. So uh, like I said, actually, like 22 years ago, I moved home from New York, quit my job at JP Morgan, moved home and have been singing ever since. And it has been a journey of good, bad, up and down smiles and balls with, you know, and then when the boogo run out of your nose because you're mauling so much. Like it has been, you know, every extreme that you can think of. But I have learned a lot, you know, over the years. I've become, I know, a better songwriter, a better performer. I've met some of the most wonderful people and met some of the most not wonderful people. And thank God they're no longer in my life, you know. And so I've just learned to navigate this reggae road. And I'm I'm looking forward to more, you know, to more opportunities to share my talent, to meet people because of the music that I write. I have changed because I have grown up, you know, and it is something that I give thanks for. All the good and the bad, you know, the pretty and the ugly, it it has all been for my good.

SPEAKER_01 3:14

And we are grateful for having you, especially in today's market. I think a lot of times a lot of artists are focused on being popular and going viral. And I think anything you kind of attach yourself to is really intentional. So talk to me about how you approach new projects and new songs

Choosing Intention Over Virality

SPEAKER_01 3:32

and why the intention is important for you.

SPEAKER_00 3:35

Well, intention is what brings your reality, yeah? And so I I breathe, you know, I breathe, I breathe into every new opportunity or experience and then wait to say, okay, is this something I want? Is it something I don't want? It's more important for me to be authentic than to be viral. It's more important for me to to represent who I am than who I think you think I am. You know what I mean? And so now I have been blessed to be approached with opportunities that I'm very excited about, you know. Um, for example, the current single. Uh, and I don't know if this was what you wanted to lead into, I don't know. Uh, but Love Again produced by Damien Juna Gang Mali. And so, you know, and also previously just working with Robert Livingston on my last nerve. You know, these are people I respect deeply and and and look forward to more opportunities like these. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 4:32

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Intentionally took over my job now, you know. We're intentionally on the same thought path. That's what it is. So tell me about the single Love Again on the No Better Rhythm. Because, yes, working with Damien Marley,

How Love Again Got Rewritten

SPEAKER_01 4:50

but this one in particular really talks about love and heartbreak. So tell me why was this the the approach for this particular rhythm? How you recorded this and what that process was like for you.

SPEAKER_00 5:03

This is a movie. So I was at home and I got uh a WhatsApp message from one of Damien's team members, and they said, you know, Gong wants to record you on his rhythm. I said, What do you say? Gong ready, let's go! And so I was very excited. I've never worked with him before. Fun fact, me and him went to prep school together. Uh, but you know, our paths just didn't cross musically until now. And so uh they sent me the rhythm and I loved it. And I sat down and I wrote around a song, you know, and recorded it, went to the studio out here, recorded it, sent it over to them, loved the song, right? So I'm there waiting, I'm like, what did he say? What is what did he say? What did he say? And then I get some message and it's gone doesn't like it. So I said, what do you mean? They said, me hot, me hot, me hot, me hot. You know, and I was just sitting on and I was like, well, okay, this is not good, this is bad, right? I want to be honest with him, I want to be a part of it, but he doesn't like it, and you know what? Um, it hurt my feelings. But the truth is that this is somebody who I respect, right? This is somebody whose music, like I, you know, I appreciate and have appreciated over the years. And so for him to say that is something that came with value, you know. And so I go, okay, so he doesn't like it. I am a songwriter. I know I am a good songwriter. You know, I've written songs that that have really resonated with people all over the world. So I believe in myself. But I also know I'm not perfect. I also know that the next song can be the best song I've ever written. And so I went into my car and I turned on the AC and I turned up the volume on the radio. And I said, Divine spirit, you walk with me, you talk with me, you've always made a way for me. I needed to show up now because I need some inspiration, because this has to work. And so I sat in my car and you know, listened to the rhythm, and I'm looking for the words to come to me, you know, from somewhere, just waiting on the inspiration, and then never say ever what a thing, and never knew I'd love again, just flowed. And I was like, ooh, I like that. And then the rest of it literally just flowed. And I recorded that, submitted it to them, and the message back was he loves it. And I said, Yes. Um, but the message behind that is just that never be too uh quick to be just um inflexible with anything that you're doing. Be open to constructive criticism that comes from places that you respect and try again, you know? And so, yeah, that's a story of love again.

SPEAKER_01 7:56

Wow, that's uh a testament of taking feedback because a lot of times, even in everyday life, you get feedback from people, and that's a lesson in itself. Like, don't shy away from that feedback that you get, especially if it's someone that you respect. Um, and then because you've worked with a lot of different producers, you kind of have that understanding. So I love that you were able to kind of take that and really flip it and draw the inspiration and really put a hot uh push as a songwriter, being able to submit this song. But I also know that you're on the rhythm with also Jamiri Morrigan and Pressure, and you guys each have a completely different vibe to the song.

Sharing The Riddim With Peers

SPEAKER_01 8:42

Like, did you know that you were sharing the the stage with those brethren? And what did you think when you heard the rest of the songs on the rhythm so far?

SPEAKER_00 8:52

Yes, well, uh Jamiri had shared with me because you know he's coming up with his album, so he had shared with me that, you know, it was it was actually as a result of his song No Better, which is why it's called the No Better Rhythm, you know, that they decided to do a juggling from that. And I mean, I have the utmost respect for Jamiri. He works so hard and he's so talented. And so when I heard his song, I was like, I love this, you know, it's so good. He's such an incredible singer. And Pressure Boss Pipe is somebody who, you know, we have history. We were in the same camp, you know, uh few years ago. He is an incredible songwriter, an awesome performer, as well as somebody who is just a really sweet person, you know. And of course, the song is incredible, and all of us are talking about love, like you said, in a very different way. And I appreciate being around my parents, and especially my peers who I know love the music and love the craft of creating and being excellent. And so, yeah, man, I'm in good company, amazing company, and it's something I did not plan. It's nothing that I actively sought out. I want to work with no, it was just as usual, the divine spirit putting everything into perfect order, and I'm so grateful.

SPEAKER_01 10:05

So, because the song is love again, I would love for you to share with me what are your number

Green Flags Red Flags And Respect

SPEAKER_01 10:12

one green flag and your number one red flag in a loving relationship.

SPEAKER_00 10:19

Oh, this is good. All right, okay, ma'am. Get all up in my business. Okay, so green flag number one, right? Someone who obviously is a lover of God. Like God is number one for me. And God in the way that that is it's just love. And so when somebody loves God, they show up differently, you know, they walk a little taller. There's a respect with the way how they treat people, and it's something that you can see, you know, and so I want to see the God in the man. When I see him, I must see God in him, and the way he talks to me must reflect that. Secondly, I love someone with a sense of humor, someone who can laugh at life, you know, but is aware of what is serious. I love someone who is ambitious and does what they say. Yeah, I don't want nobody two-step in or, you know, uh, I'm I don't know, uh, I might do this, I might make up your mind, dude. King, make up your mind. Kings make up their minds up and follow through, you know. So someone of integrity. Uh, those are my those are my main things, you know. I think everything else, you know, we we we deal with uh, you know, on a uh situational basis, but God, smile, work hard, you know, and and and oh, respect, respect over everything. So yeah, those are green flags. Red flags, anything apart from that. And if you don't have any teeth, look here and have teeth. Thank you very much. Thanks for coming tonight.

SPEAKER_01 11:58

Yes, yes, yes. Finish this sentence. You know you are ready for love again when you can forgive yourself for everything you allowed to happen to you.

SPEAKER_00 12:16

Yeah, yeah. I think that when we take our power back, we take our power back from the heartbreak, we take our power back from the times when we settled for less than we deserved, we take our power back and recognize our innate divinity, then we become the love that we seek, and it it just naturally comes to you.

SPEAKER_01 12:41

All right, last one. What is the best piece of relationship advice that you have received today?

SPEAKER_00 12:48

Hmm, I get a lot of bad advice, so I forgot to find a good one. Um let me see. Let me see. I wish good advice anybody ever gave me, God.

SPEAKER_01 13:05

Okay, so um if God gives advice, that is alright. He must be number one person for give people advice, you know. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 13:15

Um, but um okay, so one of my friends, I remember I was in this this tumultuous relationship, but it was a nice person, you know. And what she said to me, I never forget it. She says, yes, he's nice, but he doesn't have to be your man, you know. And I think sometimes we get attached to uh bad relationships because we see the good in the person, but the fact that you see the good in the person doesn't mean that you have to stay in the relationship, you know. You can appreciate the good, but also recognize that this is not working. We are incompatible. And as it relates to, you know, something else, as it relates to staying in a healthy relationship and keeping love alive, it's just respect, you know, being respectful, always respecting your man everywhere you are, you know, anything you do, you're showing respect for him, you know. In other relationships, there's respect. So therefore, another man will never pass his place or will never expect that you would behave anything less than royal. So yeah, respect all day, every day.

SPEAKER_01 14:23

All right, now we're going into the rapid fire question. So it's boom boom.

SPEAKER_00 14:28

All right.

SPEAKER_01 14:28

What is one reggae

Rapid Fire Reggae Future And Next Steps

SPEAKER_01 14:30

album that every young artist should hear, in your opinion?

SPEAKER_00 14:33

Still shall I love so you banton, definitely. Vinyl or streaming? Vinyl, come on.

SPEAKER_01 14:40

Yes, studio, studio session or live performance.

SPEAKER_00 14:44

That is hard because I love them both equally for different reasons. Love connecting with people, but love the art of creating and also allowing you know inspiration to flow and then fixing it. So both, same, same, same thing.

SPEAKER_01 14:59

One Jamaican artist you think doesn't get enough credit.

SPEAKER_00 15:03

Oh wow. This I would have a list of them because there are very many uh super talented artists, but of the younger generation, I'd say Joby J. Super talented lady, full of eyes, super songwriter, has this unique energy that is all hers. I absolutely am a big fan of Joby, so check her out. Joby J.

SPEAKER_01 15:26

Big, big fan myself. Um, last finish this sentence.

SPEAKER_00 15:32

Reggae's future depends on Reggae's present cast, loving what has gone before and taking that forward, united. You see, if we unite, we'll be unstoppable. If the older artists respect what the younger artists bring to the table, and the younger artists understand that there is respect there, then together we'll be unstoppable.

SPEAKER_01 16:07

Thank you so much. But I have to ask, what is next for you? What are you working on? This is the single that you're pushing Love Again on the No Better Redding, produced by Damian Marley. But I have a feeling something, something I brew.

SPEAKER_00 16:22

Yes, I'm working on my album. I'm really excited about it. And so you will hear all about that in the future, but really excited about the songs that we have so far. Um, you know, I'm putting my production hat on, and so I'm just really excited about that. But uh before that, I have you know several shows coming up. I'm headed to Guyana on the weekend and then Kansas, and and we have uh also so many more. I don't want to forget any. Uh so yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:51

Excited about all the all the things coming. Awesome. So we are looking forward to everything that you have coming up. Of course, you know, say you're gonna share the performance because you always put on a really great performance, but really looking forward to your album. So please come back to the show and let's talk about it once you're once you're ready to release, okay? Thank you so much. And anyone listening, uh, make sure you guys go and stream and buy Love Again on a no meta rhythm. And and of course, we're gonna have Elaine back when she releases her album as well. So thank you so much. Thank you. Bless you.