Jae Fontane: Fast Cars, Melodic Roots, and a Full-Circle Moment
- Robert G. Schuster
- May 16
- 3 min read
Updated: May 22
By Bobby Shoes (@Raw_B_Shoes) for WaterWave TV
Minnesota artist Jae Fontane is always in motion—whether he's shifting between melodic and rap styles, evolving his brand, or pulling inspiration from the streets of Tokyo Drift. Now, with his latest release Party Love and a major performance opening for Iann Dior, Fontane is stepping into a new era.
Fontane’s performances are electrifying- featuring racing jackets, sleek visuals, and an energy that's impossible to ignore. From a late-night spark of inspiration to a melodic return, the song Party Love mirrors the way he commands the stage—pulling fans in, revving up excitement, and locking them into the moment like the final lap of a race.
WaterWave TV tapped in with Jae Fontane in the studio to talk about his evolution, Fast & Furious inspirations, and the full-circle moment behind his latest single.
“You've been stepping up your style man. Where do you get your inspiration from?”
“Honestly, my favorite movies ever are the Fast and Furious series. I’ve always been into cars and racing, so I felt like I’d put that into the music.”
Party Love signifies a return to his signature melodic style, though the song almost never came to be. After spending 12 hours in the studio with his producer, Prod by Lucas, struggling to create something fresh, inspiration struck during a late-night food run.
“On the way back, we heard an Iann Dior song come on, and we just looked at each other like—'We might have to take it back to the roots,'” Fontane recalled. In just two hours, Party Love was born. Recently, Fontane had the opportunity to share the stage with Iann Dior and Bankrol Hayden at Fine Line, performing the track live for the first time.
Being a Korean-American artist in Minnesota gives Fontane a unique perspective. Raised in St. Paul, he found deep connections within the Hmong community, which shaped his cultural identity and fanbase.
“There aren’t many Koreans here, but growing up in St. Paul you know, I’ve always been around my Hmong people, and they’ve embraced me a lot,” he explained. “Obviously I’ve got mad love for my Koreans too, whenever I go out to LA. But a lot of Hmong people came out to show love, that’s like a lot of my first performances too, at Hmong venues.”
Over time, he’s learned how to turn that cultural gap into an advantage, using his experiences to build an compelling narrative around his artistry. As he shared in a past interview with The Bias Wrecker, Fontane reflected on his deep ties to the Hmong community.
"With few Koreans in the area, he naturally gravitated toward his Hmong friends, who embraced him as their own. Through them, he was introduced to their traditions, their food, their language—absorbing pieces of their culture just by being present."
What’s Next for Jae Fontane?
Jae Fontane is taking his momentum to the next level, joining Iann Dior on his Nothing Is Ever Enough tour. With stops in Minneapolis, Denver, and Los Angeles, Fontane is stepping onto bigger stages, bringing his signature melodic energy and high-octane performances to a wider audience.
For Fontane, this tour isn’t just another gig—it’s a full-circle moment. Having drawn inspiration from artists like Dior, his journey from local performances to sharing a stage with him is a testament to his growth and evolving artistry.
From melodic beginnings to electrifying performances, Jae Fontane is shifting gears for something even bigger. As he steps into his next era, the momentum isn’t slowing—it’s only building. New music, major performances, and a vision that keeps evolving, Fontane’s trajectory is clear—this summer, he’s taking it up a level.
Fast cars, melodic roots, and a story that keeps unfolding—Jae Fontane is proving that Minneapolis might not be the finish line– it’s the green light.
Stream Party Love everywhere, watch the music video, and stay locked in for what’s next!
Catch the full WaterWave TV interview here:
Check out his May 11th Fine Line show we plugged in the interview:
Follow him on Instagram @jaefontane
Keep up with his new drops at linktr.ee/jaefontane
Written by Bobby Shoes (@Raw_B_Shoes) for WaterWave TV
