Lauriana Mae

Lauriana Mae, a retro-minded R&B vocalist and songwriter born in Red Bank, New Jersey, grew up singing in her church choir and majored in vocal music at her performing arts high school. She was drawn to contemporary R&B and rap but eventually traced back to classic jazz and R&B — all the way back to the 1920s, which helped to shape her artistic identity. After she signed to the Atlantic label, she recorded Love Mae, a three-track EP produced by veteran “producer’s producer” Kwamé (Mary J. Blige, Mya, Keyshia Cole, Algebra Blessett). Afterward, she contributed to A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary and was featured on cuts by B.o.B. (“Chandelier”) and Cee Lo Green (“Only You”). ~ Andy Kellman