Lani Rose: Faith, Church Hurt & Remaining in His God-given Lane

A singing Grandmother and a grand piano; a simple yet profound synergy that marked the catalyst of Myles Anderson, the artist who would later come to be known as Lani Rose. Born and raised in Missouri with what he describes as a natural attraction to music, Rose’s stylistic utterance gives voice to an eclectic blend of genres such as Gospel, EDM, Pop & RnB. It was the hypnotic influence of artists like Skrillex and Flux Pavillion that originally peaked his interest in music production at the early age of 13. Yet these aren’t the only artists that have been a source of inspiration for him, with producers like Cashmere Cat making the list.

“He [Cashmere Cat] is like the Michael Jordan of music production for me. He introduced me to the idea of blending organic sounds with electronic ones to create something truly beautiful, and that’s something that deeply influences me.”

For The Glory artist of the month for September, Lani Rose, has always remained authentic when it comes to creating music, either expressing what he’s going through in the moment or what he’s wanting to explore going forward. This authenticity has been a blaring theme throughout his musical journey, evident in songs like ‘Hold Me’ that reflect a major shift he experienced when he returned to his faith in 2021 - or, as he puts it, “when Christ found me and drew me back to Him.”

But faith isn’t just a concept or theme of abstract contemplation or exploration for Lani. For him, it’s not only functional, but the very essence of his creativity. This holistic perspective is how he moves through the world, which is why it naturally comes through in the music he creates. It’s also what he tells us allows him to connect with people regardless of who they are or what background they come from. He describes this connection with his faith as the very thing that helps him, “keep the creative pulse going.”

“As for my Christian faith, that’s been a massive shift in the past few years. My faith in God and Jesus has made me intentional about what I’m saying in my music and has given an entirely new confidence to my approach in music. After I got saved, I heard so many stories of people being drawn away from their art/craft by God, and I didn’t want that to be the case for myself, but I knew if this is what He wanted, then it shall be. To my great surprise, God has only encouraged and empowered me to remain in my lane, and stay the course. It’s deepened my relationship with Him (even now as I’m writing this I’m realizing how much of a good Father He is).”

This glorious homecoming testimony, however, hasn’t come without its woes. Lani’s exodus from the world and procession into the family of God came at an interesting time in his life as someone well into their adult years. In a song called ‘Church Hurt’ that he released earlier this year, he addresses a recurring theme that he had been noticing in the hallowed spaces of community: people wounded by the church. The cinematic music video stars Rose and his capricious interactions with a priest and various members of a church choir. With an unsettling undertone from beginning to end, it offers a visual glimpse into the perspective of a frustrated and self-isolating individual trying to navigate church hurt – or what some would call ‘religious trauma’. Albeit dark both thematically and aesthetically, the description of the music video uploaded to YouTube sheds light on Lani’s intentions behind this song:

Rose shares, “I'm sorry that you've been wounded by people you trusted and hoped better from. I empathize with you in that, and understand your cold shoulder. Reconciling with whoever wronged you may not be possible nor is it required, but please, don't let what they did keep you from Whom you belong. You're still a light to the church body, and we desire your light, I desire your light. So does our enemy (but he desires to keep it squandered), so I implore you my family. Forgive them (for the sake of your life and peace), and know that who you are cannot be contained to four walls, but that the four walls are simply for the glory of the amazing light and wonder that you are, to be shined back unto the One who has given you/us this glorious shine.”

As someone with such a compelling artistic vision, it’s easy for an artist like Lani Rose to go down the ‘mysterious artist persona’ route. However, this isn’t the case for this creative as he acknowledges the importance of putting yourself out there on social media – something he thinks has become the new “America’s Got Talent” in many ways. And despite sometimes feeling the strong pull towards the pressure to create for things like the algorithm and attention, sharing his music and journey is something he genuinely desires to do.

“It [social media] gives artists platforms and allows them to connect with their audience in deeper and faster ways… I’m learning to work with it, rather than against it or myself.”

When looking to the future, the imagery that comes to the mind of this budding artist is one of rebirth, a hopeful change of scenery to this past year, which he describes as a year where he’s felt, “knocked down a lot – spiritually and mentally.”

“It’s been a rough year,” Lani tells us, “but I feel like I’m breaking through a ceiling. As I go through this, it feels like I’m being cut by the glass on my way through, which is painful, but I also feel like I’m being reborn. I expect this to reflect in the music I’m making moving forward, and I’m excited about that.”

Endowed with this hopeful projection for the future, it’s evident that the introspective insight Lani Rose has into his past might be the very thing that propels him forward. When sharing some advice he would give his younger self, his tone is gentle, compassionate and firm. Taking on the role of a Father or older brother, he implores younger Myles to, “Stand with conviction in what you believe, and who God is to you – learn that for yourself, not for anyone else.” 

Akin to a journal entry written to one’s past self, Rose continues: “You don’t have to be a chameleon to succeed. Your accomplishments are not by accident; they’re building into something beautiful in your life story. Keep going, but also, learn to be kinder, more generous, and more loving. You’re doing great, but it’s up to you to keep growing and becoming better. And when you do that, we’ll have a beast on our hands. I love you.”

The beauty and the beast that is Lani Rose certainly echoes characteristics of a Disney movie – a motion picture being directed by the God who is so intricately weaving together the story of this protégé of a singing Grandmother and a grand piano. 

“To: Whom I Belong”, Lani Rose’s new album is out now.

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