Lorine Chia
Baltimore-native Lorine Chia unveiled her latest single “Needed” on June 25th.
Produced by Sam Hoffman, the single is a groovy anthem about self-love.
Along with the single, the singer/songwriter revealed the music video directed by Kyle Smithers.
“I wanted to look beautiful in my dress and show people what I do on my down time. I wanted it to be an example for others to put the song on and just do what it is they enjoy,” says Chia.
The Los Angeles-based artist has collaborated and written songs with hitmakers like Machine Gun Kelly, Janelle Monae, Wiz Khalifa, The Game, Jim Jones and Young Jeezy. After a successful "SoundCloud First" campaign, Chia became one of the most streamed Soundcloud artist in 2018, her single "Life without a Dream" premiered on Oprah's "Queen Sugar." This year, she was selected by Pusha T as a featured artist for the Adidas Sound Lab Grant. Her work has been featured in major publications including Rolling Stone, Complex, and Billboard, where they've praised her honed vocals and trademark style.
Lorine Chia will be releasing her new album Sweetnoise this Fall.
“Needed” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: iironic
Introduce yourself - where are you from?
Hi I’m lorine Chia. 26 year old entrepreneur and musician from Cameroon. Was born there and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and serval other cities around the US. Lol
What's your story?
Little girl from a small village in west Africa migrated to the U.S with her parents, dreams of becoming a doctor. Instead I dropped out of college to pursue music and owning my own hair company. They were not thrilled. Overcame hopelessness, lack of support, being a lone to actually moving to my dream city (LA) and gained success in the dreams I never gave up on.
When did you start feeling connected to art and music?
When I was like 10. I would write poems and sing in choir. I played the violin and just fell in love with beautiful sounds.
Growing up, what were your favorite records to sing along to?
Most of Amy Winehouse’s songs, John Legend’s “Once Again” album was my jam!!! The Corinne Bailey Rae’s album, and lots of Coldplay. “Sparks” was one of my faves by them.
When did you start singing professionally?
I didn’t even think I could sing until I did my first album when I was 19. When we released that I think that’s when I had to like start doing shows and stuff so I immediately had to get it together lol.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
My friend Michael. He would literally drive to my neighborhood in the boonies in Ohio to pick me up to go to the studio. We were in a rap group once. But that had to come to an end.
Onomatopoeic was your first project. How did things change for you since that first release?
It actually wasn’t. The album Lorine was. After Onomatopoeic I gained a lot of love from the Atlanta crowd which is really big in urban music. It opened doors for me to work with people like T.I, Jeezy, Lloyd and so much more.
How did your sound and artistry evolve over the years?
My voice got stronger, I learned how to play more instruments, started producing and recording myself so I got the chance to really adjust it to what I wanted it to be. It got smoother, more well put together, more creative.
"Needed" is your latest single. What's the story behind this song?
It’s a love song to myself. I always write about love but I’ve never been in love. When I fell in love with myself the words came easier than every love song I ever made. My friend Sam Hoffman played me the beat he made and I was like ooooooo this has to be a love bop. Reminding people how much they need themselves was the message.
Could you describe us the songwriting/production process? Who did you work with?
Production starts first. It’s almost like I speak in sound then translate the message with words. Production then the melodies then the words. After the song is written I’ll go back in at add harmonies and adlibs.
What did you feel when writing this song?
Whatever emotion the production brought out of me at the moment. It could be a life memory, how I feel at the moment or someone gave me a topic to cover.
What made you want to release "Needed" as a single?
It’s very groovy and I think it’s an important message for people to hear. Especially for all the girls that look like me that have been told they aren’t beautiful. I wanted to show them how to enjoy themselves like I do.
What can you tell us about the music video? What was the inspiration behind it?
The inspiration was me really. I wanted to look beautiful in my dress and show people what I do on my down time. I wanted it to be an example for others to put the song on and just do what it is they enjoy.
How was it like to work with Kyle Smithers on this video?
Kyle is great! Very good with directions and has a lot of great ideas to help the process and make the video look better. He’s really nice and just and dope overall round person to work with.
From all the experiences you've lived in your career so far, any favorite memories?
My favorite memories: meeting my closest friends, performing and making music with them. SoundCloud making a billboard for me. They are my absolute fave! Ending up on TV with Jeezy. Making a classic 4/20 anthem with The Game and Wiz, braiding Erykah Badu’s hair. Maaaann it’s been a few. And there’s gonna be even more to enjoy.
What advice would you give to young songwriters?
Don’t believe in writers block. It’s just an excuse. You may not be feeling the beat that’s all but just know if you can think words you can write them all you have to do is make them rhyme. Oh and don’t give away your publishing.
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry?
It’s hard man, everyone always wants something from you and never truly want to help you without either getting a percentage of your career or sex or whatever sick thing may come to mind. And you have to work 10 times as hard as the guys just to get some recognition. But we end up having the most successful careers so I guess that’s the reward in the end.
What message would you give to women around the world?
Embrace and love every piece of yourself. Make your dreams come true. Don’t let circumstance distract you from the tools you do have which sometimes may only be your skill. Use your weapon of glory no matter how small to win the war and make a way for you the get the weapons you need to succeed. And don’t let these men make you do anything you don’t want to do. Don’t call for empty promises. Follow your gut. Love yourself.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
If people would just mind their own business and not be haters. Everyone would be able to succeed.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
To never give up, trust my gut, work smart and hard when needed, and just because it doesn’t seem doable at the moment doesn’t mean that it isn’t.
Connect with Lorine:
Spotify