Listen: Jamaica Moana – ‘KEEP IT REAL’

Jamaica Moana releases ‘KEEP IT REAL’ ft. Prinnie Stevens, a vulnerable R&B track about the loss of her father, out now.

The Sydney-based queer rap artist is once again proving she can’t be pigeonholed. ‘KEEP IT REAL’ is a reflective slow jam about losing her father at the tender age of 20. Produced by alt-rnb artist and producer Milan Ring, the song takes flight with the crystalline vocals of soul singer Prinnie Stevens and is grounded with voice notes of her father Bud. This delicate, groove-filled single is hairpin turn from the fierce rapture of ‘TUGGAWAR’, revealing the multitudes that make up Jamaica Moana.

“[This was] the moment that changed my life. Losing my father as a fresh 20 year old was an extreme life lesson for me. I never thought I would be publicly speaking on this, but this is a part of my healing process, digging deep in to a huge reason for why I am so strong to this day,” said Jamaica on writing the song.

“These are my most honest lyrics, I’m speaking from a healed perspective, reflecting on the person I was recently after his passing. Bud’s life motto was “Keep It Real”. For my older brother’s, this meant being hearty, strong men. For me, I realised it was always still being hearty while staying true to myself.

I sat with this track for a year, that’s how precious it is to me. Then I went through all the footage I had to find the perfect voice notes of Bud to include in the mix. That’s when I felt it was ready.”

‘KEEP IT REAL’ is hot off the heels of Jamaica’s last single ‘TUGGAWAR’. Fresh off a headline spot at Sissy Ball and a special guest spot in ethereal hip-hop artist DEVAURA’s April launch show, Jamaica has a series of exciting appearances on the horizon, including Sydney’s Phoenix Central Park, SXSW Sydney, and Dark Mofo.

Jamaica Moana currently lives & works on both Dharawal & Gadigal Country of the Eora Nation and is spiritually entwined with Hokianga and Waikato in the motherland of Aotearoa. She balances her professional career as a multidisciplinary artist whilst being a leader and resident commentator of the Australian ballroom community and founder of The West Ball. She has modelled for multiple Australian Fashion Week shows including Erik Yvon, Jordan Gogos, Nicol + Ford, and has also performed at FBi Radio SMAC Fest, Kooky, Kira Puru’s Club Crush and supported Cakes Da Killa, Junglepussy, and Ngaiire.

Stream / download ‘KEEP IT REAL’ here.