We recently connected with La La Musiq and have shared our conversation below.
La La , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
My entire life I have always been the only one in the room that looked like me. This started at a very young age when I would be the only girl of color in the class with a very unique name (Lakeitria). Initially, I would wonder why I was so different from everyone else but eventually I learned to love my uniqueness. I knew I had to be the best to stand out in the room and I did this by working hard in academics, professional business, and in music throughout my life. I was the first minority prom queen (senior year) and also student class vice president (junior and senior year) in a predominately white high school. I went on to college at the University of Oklahoma for a leadership scholarship. There, I quickly realized that my attributes of being achievement oriented would afford me the opportunity to take on leadership roles within student organizations where most of the people didn’t look like me. This built my confidence and fueled my focus to be even more successful in life. Even though I knew I was different, it never stopped me from wanting to be the best version of myself and quite frankly for people to realize that what I looked like on the outside has nothing to do with my capabilities. Once I graduated college, I moved on into the business world (still with a passion for music) but I had to pay the bills. I landed my first business role as a leader for a Fortune 500 company in which I worked hard and learned fast to lead a team much older than I was. My success in that company led me to become a “high potential” in my field and I became the only colored girl in my region to be promoted to senior leadership and lead multiple teams flourishingly.
Even though I was successful in business, I wasn’t fulfilled and knew that the missing piece was my love for music and sharing the gospel. So, I started to a focus on my true passion of singing and songwriting. I knew coming out of Dallas, TX was going to be challenge and I had to put a plan together in order to be successful as an independent recording artist. I identified the right people to help support my vision and some did not look like me but believed that I had the capabilities and talent to make it. I didn’t want my music to be pigeon held into one genre or group of people, so I developed a global vision to promote my music. As it stands today, I am a multi award-wining independent artist that has achieved these accolades in organizations that are not predominantly ethnic. My music is loved by people from all backgrounds on an international level. My persistence, drive, and vision has allowed me to achieve one of my biggest dreams which was to be recently inducted into the Recording Academy as a voting member in June of 2023. Being the only one in the room that looks like me has made me a determined woman that won’t let anything stand in the way of achieving what The Most High God has ordained in my life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am an independent recording artist and songwriter born in Shelby, Mississippi and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has been singing and writing since she was very young. To this day, she is the Worship Leader at The Multitude of Christ Ministry, Inc. in Canton, Texas led by her husband Pastor Johnny W. Luter II. I have written gospel songs and appeared in music videos for various local churches in the Dallas, Texas area. My debut album “Set Apart” has been recognized by The International Singer Songwriters Association which also included winning the 2020 ISSA Female Emerging Artist of The Year Award!
In August 2021, I released her sophomore album “The Awakening” and it has also been recognized by The International Singer Songwriters Association which included winning the 2022 ISSA Female Emerging Artist of The Year Award. Her 2022 collaboration “Sistar” with Zemira Israel is an official GRAMMY®︎ balloted single that was in nomination consideration for Song of The Year and Record of The Year.
Additional awards that I have won includes the 2021 Sounds of DFW Bop Song of The Year Award for her single “Warrior”; the 2022 Global Music Awards Inspirational Song of The Year for her single “Warrior”; the 2022 Indie Songwriters Awards for Best Duo for her single “Sistar” with Zemira Israel; January 2023 Akademia Music Award for Best Christian/Gospel Song for her single “He’s My Rock”; April 2023 Akademia Music Award for Best Christina/Gospel Song for her single “Dim My Light”; 2023 Best Christian Duo/Group Performance for “Sistar” with the Home Grown Music Awards; and selected to be November Artist of The Month for the 2023 Indie Gospel Calendar by Paul Puckett publications.
I am currently a 3x Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards Finalist, Vocal Gospel Music Awards Artist of the Year, International Singer Songwriters Association Female Songwriter of The Year, Antigua Barbuda Global Music Awards- Best Urban/R&B/Pop Song, Modern Soulful Music Award Finalist, and a 3x Josie Music Awards nominee for 2023. I am a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), ISSA (International Singer-Songwriter Association), and ETGMP (East Texas Gospel Music Professionals). I am a wife, mother, businesswoman, artist, and most importantly a servant of The Most High God and will continue to spread his word through praise and worship music.
I am excited to have my amazing website lalamusiq.com be a one-stop shop for my music as well as my logo clothing line for my supporters. My latest award-winning single Dim My Light is available on all digital platforms for you to enjoy! In 2024, I am looking forward to working on my next music project and artist collaborations, the film that I am in called “The Family Business” produced by Purpose Driven Films, and touring nationwide to spread the gospel.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say the three skills that were the most impactful on my journey was resilience, determination, and being a visionary. Without those skills, I would not be where I am today as an independent recording artist. In this industry, you have to have grind, grit, and a solid game plan to make it. It hasn’t always been easy which is why I appreciate the road that The Most High has led me on knowing that with out him non of this would be possible. My advice to others is to believe in yourself, have a plan, and to trust that God will guide you according to his will for your life.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am looking to collaborate with people that have the same level of passion and commitment that I share when it comes to music and representing Christ. I enjoy working with all creatives whether it is artists or producers that want to reach people and have a positive impact on the world. You can connect with me on my website for bookings and/or music projects at lalamusiq.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lalamusiq.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_musiq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lalamusiq/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Flala_musiq
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LaLaMusiq
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-398947046
Image Credits
Tamani Dove- International Singer Songwriters Association Jennifer Kelly- Atmozphere Productions Zemira Israel- H.I.T. Music
