Janine Talks the Benefits of New Zealand and a Trip That Changed Her Life
As a teen, this beauty went by “Janine and the Mixtape”. Back when she felt her name needed to represent the captivatingly large sound she embodies. Now, she is known as simply Janine and looking to grow old in her music career. “With this album I created, I know my sound is big enough. As I get older, my perspective becomes stronger. I don’t need a crazy name to get people’s attention”. Janine’s voice has so many layers and textures. Her voice resembles Whitney Houston because it demands your respect, then her voice is whimsical like Jessie J, and with fluidity, her voice can be delicate like that of Janet or Jhene Aiko.
Janine loved growing up in New Zealand. The interesting part about her description of her hometown was not its splendor. “Yes it’s beautiful, but it’s also multicultural. I loved constantly being around diversity. It’s a quality that as a nation adds to our humbleness”. As a black American, I couldn’t help but think how bizarre that statement sounds. The diversity found in the melting pot of America is what fuels discrimination, stereotypes, racism, and hate. It’s hard not to be envious of Janine’s upbringing. Envious until her reality sets in. New Zealand is not the land of opportunity, microwave success, and trendy dance moves on Ellen. “The only downfall to New Zealand is its size. It’s really hard to have a career in music there without traveling overseas”. That’s when a trip to New York changed her life.
You know the feeling when nothing makes sense yet everything is simultaneously falling into place? That was Janine’s New York trip personified. In 2011, she saved up to go to New York for a month. In the planning process she was able to book six shows. The crowd’s reaction fueled her soul so much that she decided to stay and hustle. Eventually making her dream come true and being signed to Atlantic Records. Against all odds, “I followed my spark. We work harder for something that excites us; we always make that a priority. So I found that spark and then work backwards to make it happen”.
While slaying the music game with her effortless runs and perfect falsetto, stress and fear finds its way affecting her. Being in an interracial relationship doesn’t mean that she worries what people thinks of her relationship but rather how her Black man is perceived in the eyes of society.
“I do get worried for him and a lot of my friends. Especially in certain parts of the US. It’s horrible and insane to me that people are killed and unfairly incarcerated because of the color of their skin. The systemic racism runs so deep. I’m blessed that I come from New Zealand, which is very diverse, but there is still so much racism in the world, especially here in America. People look and say stuff sometimes, more so online. Preacher (her man and a comedian) gets it worse than I do. I know we are going to get a bunch more of it as our careers take off. When it does happen we try to educate people as best we can. We have conversations and ask questions. It’s not always easy but we hope that we can help make a difference through our relationship with each other and with having those conversations with people individually”.
It’s a shame that society can be selfishly concerned with whom someone chooses to love. Yet conveniently ignore the dark paralyzing truths that rest at the foundation of America’s existence and the traditions it created.
Janine is excited and focused on her career. While in the midst of her free time she’s still in work mode. Working on her body, mind, and soul. Outside of working out she’s also recycling the musical vibes from the 80’s and 90’s. Janine also enjoys writing and listening to a lot of audio books and stand up comedies. Her advice to anyone hustling in the creative realm of art and entertaining is to always work at it. Janine stresses that we’re all programmed to hold onto our thoughts and that can be unhealthy. Once we’re conscious of this fact then we can change it; and change only happens through action. It’s within that work ethic where we find peace of mind. Then that liberation is what raises the frequency of power found in creating art.