Interview by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI

Luci’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘They Say They Love You,’ embarks listeners on a transformative journey through love, loneliness, and personal growth. With its genre blending sound and heartfelt lyrics, the album offers an immersive auditory experience resonating with authenticity and passion. From the sultry and vibrant energy of ‘Lips,’ infused with Caribbean vibes and a playful homage to Sean Paul’s ‘Get Busy,’ to the poignant introspection of ‘Call Jane,’ a deeply personal track referencing Luci’s therapist and her journey of self-discovery and resilience, each song presents a unique window into Luci’s world. Her music defies categorization, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human emotion. As she prepares to unveil this masterpiece, Luci graciously shares insights into her creative process, personal journey, and the inspiration behind her music. Discover our exclusive interview with Luci and immerse yourself in her album for an unforgettable musical experience.

Luci, your journey into music seems deeply intertwined with your upbringing and personal experiences. Can you share with us what initially sparked your passion for music, and who were some of your earliest musical influences or icons?

My love for writing stemmed from obsessive journaling. As a kid, I didn’t have many outlets beyond drawing and writing. I could sit in my room and engage in these activities from sun-up to sun-down, even if it meant not speaking to anyone else or eating. I always carried a heavy heart and soul and had a lot to express creatively. Around the age of 10, I fell in love with songwriting, learning to sing my favorite songs and crafting my own.

Your music style incorporates elements from various genres, creating a unique and eclectic sound. How would you describe your music style to someone who’s new to your music, and which of your songs would you recommend as the starting point to discover your artistic universe?

I create Avant-garde hip-hop music, drawing influences from a wide range of artists, from Erykah Badu to Kanye to Portishead to Black Sabbath. The beauty of what I do lies in the versatility of my sound. I have tremendous fun playing with my vocals and delivery, crafting creative soundscapes and immersive listening experiences. I recommend starting with ‘Finally,’ ‘Trippin, Trippin, Trippin,’ and ‘Am I good.’ These tracks showcase the depth of my range and are excellent entry points into my artistic universe, offering deep cuts for exploration.

Your upcoming album, ‘They Say They Love You,’ explores themes of love, loneliness, and personal growth. What inspired the creation of this album, and how does it reflect your journey as an artist?

This album is a melting pot. Someone hurt me badly. And though that music didn’t make the cut for this album, I plan to rework a lot of it with a band in the next year. There was so much heartache in my love life prior to writing this album, which brought many things to light for me. Also, coming into the music industry as a rookie, I caught myself learning a lot from having too many expectations of the world. I’ve realized how disposable I am. I am passing through this phase of my life feeling more mortal than ever before, which is great for clarity. I feel like my whole life, I’ve been hunting for love in all kinds of places, and it wasn’t until recently that I started to look inside and do the work.

How do you balance vulnerability with artistic expression, especially when delving into personal topics?

My music is built on vulnerability. I am 10000% inside out always. Even when I’m shy or insecure, I feel like I’m unable to hide from that. I can’t cower even if I wanted to. And as scary as it is for people to see me and see through me like that, it’s satisfying. Considering my constant journaling and craving an outlet to feel like I can dump my insides and be heard as a child, my music and art mean everything to me in that sense. I feel like the little girl in me is finally being heard. It takes the feeling of loneliness away.

The title of your album, ‘They Say They Love You,’ carries significant meaning, derived from a song that didn’t make the final cut. Can you elaborate on the significance of this title and how it reflects the overarching themes of the album?

“They say they love you. I can’t really tell if it’s true. Cause even when they love you, they turn around and break your heart in two,” is the lyric from the song ‘Have a laugh,’ produced by William J. Sullivan. I love that song. “When it rains it pours– slight me no more. I’ll have a laugh; they don’t like that. My half a glass keeps me right.” Those lyrics are beautiful to me and speak volumes to where I was at and where I am today. It says no matter what you go through or who comes in and out of your world, you’ve got to learn to love your life and laugh. In the studio, I almost always have wine. So, speaking to my glass of wine and also the reference that stays relevant to the themes of the other songs as well, grappling with whether my glass is half empty or full. Ultimately, I’ve decided it is half full.

You’ve collaborated with renowned producers such as William J Sullivan and Louallday. What was it like working with these producers?

They both make me feel incredibly free and alive in the studio. Their production styles and real-life personalities and energies create a safe space for me to just unfold willingly and effortlessly every time. But they do different things. In the studio with Lou (on tracks like ‘Ash & Dust,’ ‘Thunder Calling,’ ‘Inside,’ and ‘Stay Steady’), I become this beast with angelic tones. In the studio with Sully, I turn into an angel with broken wings and devil horns (on tracks like ‘rockwichu’ and ‘Spins,’ as well as some heavy unreleased tracks). Both such important sides of me. Both explore my edginess and darkness in such beautiful, eloquent ways.

In addition to your music career, do you have any other hobbies or interests that inspire you creatively?

Yeah, my other passions include fine art and food. Drawing and painting were my first love. I’ve done it my whole life. In the past version of myself, my art lived in front of everything, but in the past few years, it’s taken the back burner. However, I am always in motion. In fact, I’m finishing up a collection right now called ‘1924’. One of those pieces is featured on my vinyl. At the same time, I’m into my personal chef, dinner party world these days. I want to feed people and create experiences and community through my food and art, bringing like-minded people together on the basis of the three – music, art, and food.

Fashion often plays a significant role in the lives of musicians, both on and off the stage. How would you describe the role of fashion in your life and artistic expression?

My silhouette for the day is everything to me. I’ve always been in my own lane with fashion, and I look at it like architecture. I’d love to design it in the future. I’ve always admired Virgil, Kidsuper, YSL, and Margiela. My favorite creative release of the year so far is the Maison Margiela spring couture show. I could record a whole album inspired by that show.

Your journey as an artist has taken you from Charlotte to New York City. How has each location influenced your music and artistic identity?

Being born and raised in the south is very loud in my music, from my accent and dialect to my inferences. But the place that affected my music and artistry most is Asheville, NC. It’s just a couple of hours west of where I grew up. Tucked into a pocket in the Blue Ridge mountains, I was more at home than I have ever felt. I found psychedelia there. I found myself. I found a deeper love for music and art that I could’ve never imagined. So much of who I am today is because of those two places. New York has started to take its play with me, but I can’t speak to what’s becoming just yet. Just know that I am unraveling and evolving all over again, and it’s going to be lovely. I can feel it.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals as an artist, both creatively and professionally?

I’m going to live a life of liberated creative expression every day, without worrying about survival. I’ll give my all freely and take breaks as I please. I envision touring the world, featuring my art in galleries across countries, owning a restaurant and venue, designing homes and fashion. I’ll do it all at my own pace, aiming to change the world one day at a time. My love for what I do will never fade, and I hope it inspires others to pursue their passions without hesitation.