In this week’s BSO music showcase, we’re taking it all the way down to Louisiana.
JaCouree’ Bunn, also known as ‘IRAI Ouree’, is a 21-year-old artist from Baton Rogue. After vibing to “The IRAI Ouree EP”, it was evident that he’s well beyond his years as a musician.
In today’s game, it seems like most young MC’s all sound the same.
You know, the overzealous autotune sound over a trap beat?
Or the ‘I don’t know what they’re saying’ sound, but the beat is so dope to the point where you let it ride.
However, IRAI Ouree provides us with more of a soulful feel with very relatable bars.
To get a better grasp of who IRAI Ouree is, check out our Q & A:
We know you’re pretty well known in the Louisiana area, but for the music heads across the country, tell them a little about you and what made you start taking music seriously?
A little about IRAI Ouree, the IRAI stands for Icee Rashad the Arctic Influence. Icee Rashad representing the good side of conscience and positivity, while the Arctic Influence is the bad,temptation and evils. Ouree is a play on my first name (JaCouree’ Bunn) which symbolizes the vessel that holds and embodies both the good and bad. I began making music about six years ago in high school and have always taken music seriously, skipping homework to study artist and perfect my art. The talent was always in me and the vision is just getting clearer as I come to the realization that this is what I want and all I have, music.
As soon as I started listening to your “The IRAI Ouree EP”, I’ve noticed that you have a totally different sound than your typical Baton Rogue rapper, what inspired you to develop that more soulful type of sound?
The music scene where I’m from is in need of great sh*t, I want to add lyricism as a key ingredient in today’s hip-hop, even locally and this inspires the most. I’m also greatly inspired by love and those around me, the people that keep me motivated, my gang, my family and loved ones. As far as my soulful sound, I fell in love with motown music first before hip-hop and that made me appreciate vocals and singing it funky and amazing. Like those artist, I just want to be able to utilize my voice to it’s fullest potential and if that means singing or rapping, I just want it to be as potent as possible. Music should be soulful, it should be you.
Most people around the country know about Baton Rogue because of LSU, can you tell us some more about the city and how was it growing up in the city?
Baton Rouge is the dirty south, and I have the privilege to be attending LSU, but growing up here you really experience things differently. It’s a huge white or black thing, gangsters, suburbs, all that. It’s a rather small city, but it’s a concoction of beauty and grotesque scenes. I was able to grow on both sides of the tracks, literally smack dab in the middle of grime and polish, and it helped me build a character and a drive for better. I want out.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I plan to have much more music in motion, taking IRAI Ouree and Almighty Genius as far as possible. I believe you get what you work for and if we put in the right amount of time and effort along with help from the most high, we will be prosperous.
Tell the fans what we should expect from you in 2016?
In 2016 expect “The IRAI Ouree EP 2” which is already in the works and will have a more traditional Hip-Hop feel than its predecessor and also, two music videos for two songs from my debut project, “JaCouree Bunn” and “1002” coming soon, merchandise and a website also. Its time to get it!
Make sure you go check out the EP on IRAI Ouree’s SoundCloud:
If you’re a music artist out there and you want some exposure like this, make sure to contact me on Twitter @MarkAGunnels or just simply email me your music at [email protected].