Dancehall Singer Lanae Pleased That She Beat The Odds To Complete University Degree
There were several moments during Dancehall artist Lanae’s push towards a university degree when she got depressed and stressed enough to consider calling it quits. However, the Whine singer summoned the energy and resolve to persevere and push on, despite the odds.
That singular purpose paid off as she completed a bachelor of science degree in management studies, while earning upper second-class honours, from The University of the West Indies this year. She is the first from her immediate family to earn a degree.
“It was important to me to finish my degree because it is important to me personally to finish anything that I started, mi no waan feel like mi start something and mi give up,” the fusion singjay told DancehallMag.
“I definitely felt like giving up like multiple times because it was so difficult, at the time, I was working when I started, so it was a lot to juggle, I felt like mi just want stop, but mi just couldn’t bring myself to actually give up. I had to get it done to make myself proud, my mother proud, my little bredda and mi father proud..like yeah.”
Lanae showed off her graduation photos online on her Instagram account in early November, eliciting a lot of positive messages from friends and well-wishers. She believes her degree will only strengthen her business acumen in the cut-throat world of entertainment.
“My degree will help to strengthen my music career cause when it comes to the business side of music, it is important to be educated and to be able to understand things quickly and be able to make smart decisions. Being educated is a big part of me,” she said.
With first-hand knowledge of business and finance, she said she has a better understanding of how to navigate the music industry to achieve her goals.
“I have learned things about time management, how to build a brand and business overall, I am going to incorporate that into myself, Lanae is a brand now, I am glad I got educated finished what I started,” she said.
“I am feeling good that I can now fully focus on music and have so much new music coming this year. A lot of persons think it doesn’t make sense to invest so much in a university education, but I learnt so much. It really helps to build character. I’m also considering some serious business ventures.”
Lanae had some sage advice to other young artists seeking to walk the path of higher education.
“My advice is to make sure you’re ready for it, getting a degree is time-consuming, very challenging, it takes a lot of work, you have to be determined, committed and focussed. And make sure that you choose something that you’re genuinely interested in doing because you don’t want to start something and not finish it,” she said.
Lanae will be the main act at the birthday bash for El Gringo Records chief executive officer Reece Dry tonight (Friday, November 18) in Windsor Heights, St. Catherine.
The 30th birthday bash will also mark the music release party of Jah Tee’s latest single, Zone Out. Jah Tee is the first major act signed by the UK-based label, El Gringo Records.
Lanae is known for singles such as Whine and Too Young ft Vybz Kartel. She will be releasing a video for her latest single, Hot Gyal on the Green Dot rhythm for Chase Mills Records on December 2.