Jamayne Taunoa-Brown dropping his first EP after reigniting his passion for music

After being sidelined due to a season-ending injury, an NRL player put pen to paper as a way to document his journey, now he is releasing his first EP. Find out what inspires his music.

Cowboys player Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is releasing his first rap E.P. Picture: Shae Beplate.

For rugby league players an injury is often the worst thing that can happen to their career, but one North Queensland Cowboy has labelled it a blessing in disguise after it allowed him to reignite his passion for music.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, known on stage as Yung Maynie, has always gravitated towards music but the decision to pursue his love for Rugby league meant that he had to put his creative outlet on hold.

“When I was playing I always put that first. When I turn up to training and games I always make sure that I’m doing everything I need to, to do the best I can,” he said.

“Having the injury sort of allowed me to work on my music a little bit more which has been a blessing in a sense.”

After rupturing his achilles tendon for the second time in April, Taunoa-Brown found himself in a hotel room unable to fly home while he recovered and this is where his first EP was created.

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown A. K. A Yung Maynie performing at FLNDRS HQ

“I was stuck there in a hotel in Brisbane for two weeks and I sort of just wrote it all and then linked up with a producer and engineer down there in Brisbane and we recorded the whole project,” he said.

“During that two week period, that was just the feelings and the thoughts that were going through my head and personal to me and I just talked a bit about my journey.

Cowboys player Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is releasing his first rap E.P. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“I feel like it’s a good creative outlet and I’m able to express certain things that way.”

Listeners of his music have quickly learnt how it has been a crutch for the Cowboys prop during his time away from the game, as he explores themes of identity, culture and the sacrifices he’s had to make to pursue a career in Rugby League.

“I feel like being an NRL player, just having that image can be hard. I feel like sometimes when people hear about my music they don’t really take it as serious because they see the NRL image.

“Sometimes it is hard to escape that image but I guess it’s a part of my story so I try to use it as well.”

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown A. K. A Yung Maynie performing at FLNDRS HQ

“Everyone sees the highs and how good it is being in the spotlight but they don’t really see all the things that go on behind it, all the sacrifices and the lows and the struggles.

One of his most meaningful songs is ‘Proud.’ which Taunoa-Brown wrote one after feeling inspired by this year’s NAIDOC week theme.

“I’m a proud Karna Narungga man, my people and my mob come from down South Australia which is my Mum’s side but I’ve always wanted to do something to represent that part of my culture,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play Indigenous All Stars with footy but I’ve always wanted to do something with music and I had seen this year’s NAIDOC week theme ‘keep the fire burning loud and proud’ and just ran with that.”

After having the chance to open for popular Australian rap artists OneFour, Hooligan Hefs and the 046, Taunoa-Brown is hoping to headline his own show one day.

“Once my time in footy is up, I’d definitely love to transition into music so I guess I’m trying to put things in place so when the day does comes I can transition into it,” he said.

The five track EP ‘Peace of Mine’ will be available on streaming services including Spotify on Friday August 23.

Originally published as Jamayne Taunoa-Brown dropping his first EP after reigniting his passion for music