Alaine
Alaine Laughton born on 21st September 1978, popularly known as Alaine is an American/Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. She was born in the United States of America in New Jersey. And relocated to Jamaica when she was three years old. She developed the music bug at a young age and learnt playing the piano. Aged 9, Alaine’s confidence landed her a few acting gigs for various Jamaican television programs, adverts, radio jingles, and theatrical productions.
It was not long before her big break came in 1988 when she appeared in the movie, Clara’s Heart, alongside Whoopi Goldberg. Despite having the music bug. Alaine went on to graduate from university with an honours degree in Management and Psychology. Before totally committing to her music, Alaine worked at JP Morgan and Chase (an Investment bank) in New York. Simultaneously, she pursued a music career and sang back-up vocals for Rocafella artists such as Freeway and Cam’ron.
In 2004, Alaine moved back to Jamaica to focus solely on her music. And went on to work with top producers like Sly & Robbie and Donovan ‘Don Corleon’ Bennett. Her first major success came a year later in 2005 on Don Corleon’s Seasons Riddim with No Ordinary Love. The track topped the reggae charts and its video became the first female reggae track to be retired on Jamaica’s biggest video request show E-Strip. Alaine went on to release other chart-topping singles which include Deeper, Dreaming of You, Rise in Love, Bye, Bye, Bye, You are Me, Sacrifice and Born To Win.
Her talent is not limited to singing as she has written and co-written her songs including numerous hits and collaborations with reggae royalty such as Tarrus Riley in Gimmie Likkle One Drop and Wanty Wanty. Alaine also wrote the hit song Tight Skirt for Samantha J and collaborated with numerous artists.
Alaine’s upbeat personality and acting ability has enabled her to become a wholesome feature in Jamaica. She landed herself a role as a resident judge on Jamaica’s talent show Digicel Rising Talent. Her more recent tracks include Million Reasons and You Give Me Hope. She currently has three studio albums. Namely, Sacrifice (2007), Love A Dub (2009), and Ten Hearts (2015).
With a beautiful melodious voice. Alaine Laughton has set a blueprint for aspiring musicians to work from and has many more years left in the industry.