Dancehall figures impressed with Raine Seville's progress

Popular dancehall figures ZJ Liquid and Voicemail's Craig said they were impressed by how female artiste Raine Seville has improved her music since the turn of the year.

The duo, which has worked with Seville, believes the 25-year-old songbird has significantly matured as an artiste in her writing skills and musical delivery. In April, Seville and Voicemail released Watch Me Wine Now on the Lovebug rhythm.

The collaboration, which was produced by Washroom Entertainment, convinced Craig that the former Wolmer's High School for Girls student was ready to compete among the best. The song itself has been a buzz in several entertainment circles.

A different approach

"Her music, sound, look, attitude, and energy are a different approach now. She is way stronger and mature. Raine is more confident in general. even her performances have gotten better. She's exploring and understanding her musical capabilities more now," said Craig.

"After recording Watch Me Wine Now, I realised even more that she was ready to compete with the best because she had improved a great deal," he added.

For ZJ Liquid, Raine Seville has become a more steady and focused vocalist. He also believes the birth of her one-year-old daughter, Lay-La Reid, has contributed to her musical development. He said: "I guess she being a mother now has also helped her to get that mature stage. She has become a lot more rounded as an artiste."

The two also collaborated with Ready Fi Dweet on ZJ Bruce Lee and Truckback's Wappings rhythm. Liquid also mixed Raine Seville's recently released Talk Is Cheap mix tape. He also produced her Hold & Stay track on his PreRelease rhythm. They also have another track, Love, which is set to be released soon.

"She has gotten more mature, more comfortable. The topics are more down to earth and people can now relate easier. Where stage is concerned, she has learned to control her stage presence and interact more with her audiences. I also see that she is singing more of her own and not so much other people's ideas," said Liquid.

Raine Seville, who was awarded the Most Promising Female Artiste at this year's Music Industry Awards ceremony, said she is humbled by the men's assessment and will continue to work hard every day to improve her music.

"They (Craig and ZJ Liquid) are prominent male figures in dancehall, so it is humbling to hear that coming from them. I will continue to work harder to be better than today," she said.

(from Jamaica Star)