Insane Jermaine drops “Mentally Ill” for his fans in the pysch ward

image

Insane Jermaine may have written his single “Mentally Ill” more than a decade ago, but the rapper knows that this is a message that rings true to his people, and one that never goes away.

“When I was young I was diagnosed bi-polar and always in the psych wards,” he said. “I wanted to do something different here. I wanted this to be a shout out to my people: the psychiatric people.”

Insane Jermaine said writing music is like an essay. You’ve got to get the subject first, and then there’s the hook that follows. The track and music video was created 11 years back, with more than 156,000 views since its inception on YouTube. It starts with Insane Jermaine yelling about how he’s mentally ill and to not mess with him. He’s in handcuffs, behind bars and driving home his lyrics with pointed fingers and piercing looks.

“I’m mentally ill
I’m mentally ill
Don’t mess with me
You don’t know how I feel”

Insane Jermaine said this track is all original, and while it’s him acting crazy, it’s him straight up. His listeners can pick up what he’s putting down, and the idea is for those who have been right alongside him in the ward to be represented.

The song was written in 2012 after the Aurora movie theater shootings, and then released after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Insane Jermaine started promoting this track hard. He went over to the psych ward to share the single, and and even with police and politicians.

“I was giving it out to city workers and stuff like that,” he said.

Insane Jermaine was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and his father was an investor in bands like the Isley Brothers, and venues like Studio 54. He was always around music when he was a young boy, but things really took off when he was living down in Alabama when he was in high school. His cousin owned a club and he would work with him on the weekends, and behind that club there was a recording studio.

Since he was 18 years old, Jermaine has been into music. He prides in bringing back that ‘90s swag, saying the world needs some good hip hop. One thing that set him apart is that he has been in and out of the pysch ward, and this is where his music comes into play. “Mentally Ill” is one for those in the ward.

“I feel like, the thing is, you don’t mess with people you don’t know. You don’t know what’s on someone’s mind. There are a lot of people who are psychiatric. Famous people. Anyone. I want to reach out to them.”

Jermaine has had a tough life. He’s been been shot twice, including once in the head while living in Alabama. He wanted to make a change, and moved back north to New Jersey and went to college for audio-engineering while working as a tractor-trailer driver. Jermaine went by Crazy Jermaine while living in Alabama, but he decided to switch things up when he got back north. This is where the new monicker, Insane Jermaine, was born.

“You suckers think you’re living straight

There’s nothing but evil in your heart, and a lot of hate.”

Be sure to check out Insane Jermaine’s music video for “Mentally Ill” on YouTube. His single can also be found on major platforms:

Apple
Soundcloud

COMMENTS

Leave a comment

Screenwriter And Musician Lamar Woods Returns To Music With Flavorful Sophomore Album, ‘Highly Sensitive Person’

image
Authentic, humble, creative, and genius—these words capture the essence of screenwriter and musician Lamar Woods. His latest work, the sophomore album Highly Sensitive Person, released earlier this year, reflects his extraordinary talent and a perfect start to the year.

Highly Sensitive Person showcases Woods’ ability to blend genres with finesse. The album’s 19 tracks weave together hip-hop, jazz, soul, folk, and R&B elements, creating a rich and immersive listening experience. For example, “True Love Will Find You In The End”—a cover by Daniel Johnston—commences with warm acoustic guitar and Woods singing before a trap beat emerges mid-song, and he unleashes his bars. This shows that Highly Sensitive Person is a sonic roller coaster with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on your turns.

“I wanted to do an album that bangs the whole way through,” Woods explained. “Like if I was Costco, this was a little taste of me (like samples), every version of me. I’m from Atlanta, so I love trap music, and I love trap beats…I don’t really rap on them a lot. I was just like, ‘Maybe we just throw it on there even though it didn’t technically really fit with the album that much.’ But I like the idea of being like, ‘Ths is also a part of me.’ There’s a trap part of me. There’s that boom-bap part of me. There’s the folk part of me. There’s a love song part of me. I wanted that album to feel like you’re really getting to know me because if you knew me if we were to hang out and talk about music, we’re talking about everything…like Langhorne Slim, Arcade Fire, Boldy James, Jazz and Miles (Davis).”

Woods has crafted a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and innovative. His lyrical flow, paired with the thoughtful inclusion of skits—an often overlooked art form in modern rap—adds a unique dimension to the album. Drawing from his experience as a screenwriter, Woods uses these skits to enhance the storytelling within the album, creating vivid scenes and narratives with fellow comedians like actor Mike Mitchell that deepen the listener’s engagement. He encourages his listeners to listen to the entire album in order.

Woods’ dedication to music has been unwavering since high school, where he formed a band that performed a unique blend of rap, hip-hop, and punk. His commitment to his craft was evident in the vibrant music scene of his city, where he performed at local venues like The 5 Spot, Eddie’s Attic, and Smith Ole Bar, building his underground following. After graduating from Georgia State University, Woods fearlessly relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood, temporarily putting his music on hold. However, his dedication to music never wavered, and he found success as a screenwriter, contributing to notable shows such as Grand Crew (NBC), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC), Single Parents (ABC), New Girl (FOX), and Survivor’s Remorse (Starz). He co-wrote and starred in It’s a Party, available on Roku and Amazon.

Like many, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point for Woods as he felt pulled back to his musical roots. Although he hesitated to pursue music again, he couldn’t deny his first love. This reconnection led to the release of several EPs and LPs, including his debut album, Wine Bars, in 2021. Building on this momentum, Woods released Highly Sensitive Person in 2024, an album that further cements his place in the music world.

Highly Sensitive Person is just a semblance of Woods’ talents. The Atlanta-bred is getting ready to expand and showcase just how versatile his music palette is with upcoming projects listeners must look forward to.

Listen to Highly Sensitive Person here.

Lamar Woods Socials

Instagram
YouTube
Spotify

COMMENTS

Leave a comment