Janine – Make You Proud: 13th Floor New Song Of The Day

Award-winning LA-based, NZ-born singer, songwriter and producer Janine has shared the heartbreaking and hopeful R&B ballad Make You Proud ahead of the release of her full-length album, PAIN AND PARADISE (out August 22).

Here is the blurb with more:

With stripped back production that builds and intensifies, Make You Proud is a raw and vulnerable ballad that showcases Janine’s exquisite vocal and ability to write deeply emotional songs that tug heavy on the heartstrings.

“This is the most personal and painful song I’ve ever written. I lost my dad unexpectedly in 2021 and Make You Proud is my way of communicating a piece of that grief. It’s a letter to him, telling him I’ll do my best to make him proud, take care of Mum like he would have and let him know that I’m proud of him too.”

And while Make You Proud is centred around grief, Janine points out that it’s also about love and honouring those you’ve lost by living the life they’d be proud of.

“I hope listeners who have experienced the loss of a parent, a loved one, or even a version of themselves feel seen in this song. I hope it reminds them that it’s okay to fall apart and start again. That grief is the price of deep love and that love never really leaves.”

The sense of pain and joy, which Make You Proud evokes, is captured in a lovingly crafted video compiled of old VHS footage. “I’ve been gathering footage from my childhood videos of my dad, my family, and our life. It’s been beautiful and painful, but really nice to see and hear Dad again through the footage,” says Janine.

“Of all the songs I’ve ever made, this one reaches deeper into my heart and pain than any before. It’s been the most challenging and the most beautiful. It means the world to be able to share it with others.”

Make You Proud follows the recent release of ‘Fit’, which is also on Janine’s upcoming album PAIN AND PARADISE, which explores themes of love, grief, healing and joy.

About Janine:

Janine is a passionate and talented singer, songwriter, producer, and multimedia artist from New Zealand. Her music blends Indie R&B with soulful melodies, alternative pop and intricate soundscapes designed to make you feel something. With a voice that floats effortlessly between airy whistle notes and soulful belts, she has the rare ability to both break your heart and heal it in the same breath. Her ethereal and devastatingly beautiful tone, combined with emotionally raw and honest storytelling, has built a deep connection with fans around the world.

She first made waves under the moniker Janine and The Mixtape, after moving to New York and releasing her breakout EP, DARK MIND. Following placements on VH1’s Black Ink Crew and Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, the project soared to #1 on iTunes New Zealand, #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and #2 on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Albums Chart. The single ‘Hold Me’ reached the Top 10 on Spotify’s Global Viral Charts and #1 on iTunes New Zealand, earning her a Critics’ Choice nomination at the Aotearoa Music Awards. Tastemakers including Complex, VIBE, Billboard, and MTV praised her sound.

In 2015, her follow-up XXEP won Best R&B Album at the Aotearoa Music Awards. That same year, she toured the US for the first time, opening for the reunion of the world-renowned duo, Floetry.

Over the years, Janine has built a fiercely loyal following through the vulnerability in her music and her deep admiration for her fans. In 2023, after several years away from performing live, she returned to the stage with a sold-out headline show at LA’s iconic Troubadour. Fans lined up to meet her for hours after the show and she stayed to meet them all. That moment led to her signing with global booking agency WME and booking her first world tour, which was nothing short of a triumph.

Spanning 14 cities across three continents, the tour saw multiple sold-out shows around the world. From Auckland to Amsterdam and London to Los Angeles, Janine mesmerized audiences with powerful energy, heartfelt performances, and undeniable stage presence. Each night, fans sang along passionately, proving her music has touched hearts across the globe.

Janine’s upcoming album PAIN AND PARADISE is her most personal project yet. Written in the wake of her father’s unexpected passing, the album explores grief, healing, love, and joy, often within the same breath.

Follow Janine:
Instagram / Facebook / YouTube
Apple / Spotify

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