Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Lea Lea/Wah Wah 45s
Lea Lea is powerful – not simply because of her soulful commanding voice, her undeniable presence or even her ability to physically transform into a musical warrior. While these attributes are a given, Lea Lea is powerful…because she knows it. There is no selling of sex but her naturally gorgeous appearance creates instant attraction. Instead of crying a river over heartbreaks on her recordings, she sings about social unrest. This is the kind of “first lady” power that can transform decades old systematical structures. This is power with purpose.
Raised in the London Borough of Hackney in the East End, Lea Lea grew up in a musical household which included her mother, an opera singer, as well as her siblings, who too are musicians and vocalists. Surrounded by various styles of music in her home as a youth, Lea Lea has created a similar eclectic palette by morphing multiple styles into a dark, impacting form of cinematic electronic music.
As a versatile songwriter, Lea Lea has penned lyrics for recording artists on labels such as Def Jam. However, it is her explicit emphasis on issues pertaining to social awareness where, yet again, her power is unleashed. Having travelled abroad to the U.S. and Mexico with writing partner Kim Garrett, Lea Lea returned to England armed with content which focused on strife, injustice, and overall human dialogue, making these messages ones that the world can relate to.
With her self-titled debut album out on the Wah Wah 45s label, backed by the production of Jack Baker, Lea Lea has not only caught the attention of media establishments around the globe, but has received glowing support by the likes of BBC Radio 1xtra’s MistaJam, BBC Radio 3’s Nick Luscombe, and DJ Simbad. Her sensibility of style and her own security of sex appeal have made her a contender for a growing mainstream presence, without raunch or gimmicks. This is the meaning of power – and you can best believe that Lea Lea is ready to shake things up.
Art Jefferson-You hail from a musical family, with your mother, as well as your siblings being singers and musicians. I can only imagine the variety of music that played throughout your home. However, considering that your mother was an opera singer, was there ever any pressure for you to go into a classical or more “traditional” direction with music?
Lea Lea-No pressure at all but my mum did encourage me to learn how to read music…something I was never very good at unfortunately. From young my voice was always on the deeper, husky side, characteristics that don’t necessarily make a very good opera singer. I think my mum threw in the towel upon realising that. I do try and pay homage and add bv’s of a operatic nature when it fits though… particularly in my song “Black or White”
Art Jefferson-Being constantly surrounded by music, what were some of the records that left a mark on you growing up?
Lea Lea-As a kid “Think” by Aretha Franklin and “Finally” by CeCe Peniston were two of my favourite songs to sing! The vocal expression and harmonies of Lakme’s “The Flower Duet” are amazing, (I) learnt a lot from that plus I used to try and sing it with my mum. My teens were filled with lots of drum n bass, grunge and Lauryn Hill so “Watching Window”, “Smells like Teen Spirit” and “Ex-Factor” hold a very special place in my heart.
Art Jefferson-The subject matters that you cover in your music are quite powerful. Was there always that keen sense of social awareness or was it a gradual process? Also, when did you know that you were going to use music as a vehicle to not simply entertain, but to deliver some of these impacting messages?
Lea Lea-For me to be able to write a song I need to know about what I’m singing about so I would have to either feel very moved by a certain issue or personally go through a situation or feeling. From the start my writing has always been both personal and motivated by the social issues I’m passionate about. Music is such a powerful tool, bringing people together, making people think and feel inspired in countless different ways. That being said I think it’s the perfect way to express and convey social topics to an audience.
Art Jefferson-You grew up in Hackney, which over the years, has not always gotten the best reputation. However, to echo the sentiments of MP Diane Abbott, these accusations are often delivered by people who in large, don’t live there or truly know Hackney. What are your thoughts?
Lea Lea-I’ve always been proud to be from Hackney. I grew up in such a multicultural environment, music and the arts has always been embedded into the warm heart and soul of this East London borough. I think that some people who don’t live in Hackney make the assumption that you’re one of two groups if you live here…”trendy snobby hipster” or “ghetto hoodlum”. It’s an ignorant mentality and is hugely judgmental. Hackney has and is still made up of various types of people, from my Trinidadian mum to her gay fashion designer neighbour. Truth is I think people as a whole feel more comfortable with pigeonholing groups rather than individualization.
The real problem is that with a corrupted governmental system that looks to cash in on everything; social and economic downfalls/divide arise as a result of regeneration. For locals who can no longer afford to live in the once affordable Hackney, this is hugely unfair and unjust. So whoever you are and whatever group you do or don’t identify with, like the rest of London and indeed the world…we need to kick the “them” and “us” attitude in the face and start working on co-existing with less judgement.
Art Jefferson-One of the things, among many, that I personally love about your music is that it speaks to a global community. Talk about your travels abroad and, specifically to Mexico. What were some eye opening, as well as inspiring moments for you that helped to shape ideas on the new album?
Lea Lea-Thank you. I’ve always felt my ideas come together when travelling, experiencing something new or being placed in a challenging environment. Mexico was such an eye opener, particularly entering from the US and crossing the border into Tijuana…within moments you literally go from wealth, McDonalds and skyscrapers to extreme poverty, obvious police corruption and a blood splattered ATM. You feel a juxtaposition of being both fortunate and horribly useless…with your British passport being able to go and come as you please. Through “AK-47” Kim and I wanted to be able to share a “day in the life” account of what it is like for some Mexican women living within the dangerous drug war territory. Hopefully raising awareness and creating music that touches people from around the world and not just our little hub in London.
Art Jefferson-You’ve also written for major label artists. How easy or difficult is it for you to get into the different head spaces and write for someone else, considering the content that you cover as an artist yourself?
Lea Lea-I apply the same method…write about what I know then work with the producer or the artist to make it personal to them. It can be challenging when sometimes you write a section and it’s really personal to you and it’s super hard to omit it as it works so well! But there are so many topics that affect us all so I generally try to head in that direction.
Art Jefferson-Artists like Ms. Dynamite have proven time and time again that one can deliver great content, with exceptional music and still be successful in today’s market. Why do you think that many artists still feel the need to head down a path that is heavily sex driven just to gain any amount of success? Is it more of the industry itself being the root to the lack of diversity?
Lea Lea-Because the horrible truth is sex sales big. My intent has been on being able to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head with the money I make from music…that for me is success and anything else is a bonus. I think major label execs are in a completely different ballpark…big attention…BIG money. Neither has substance but will definitely get YouTube hits, Facebook counts up and a huge chunk of fame. People love a spectacle and a bit of voyeurism, hence the celeb obsessed society we currently live in. Go on X Factor and just sing…yeah you might get through…go on X Factor sing, cry, talk about being a stripper and X Factor is your only chance out…well that’s entertainment and you’re on to stardom!!!
Art Jefferson-You also write with Kim Garrett, and worked with Jack Baker on the new album. How does the collaborative and creative process work with you and Kim? Also, with Jack, do you present some of the song ideas to him first and he then structures the tracks based on those ideas, or do you write from some of the music that he presents to you?
Lea Lea-Kim and I are different in lots of ways…personality, writing styles but we feel passionate about a lot of the same topics/issues. For me that worked perfectly as it helped create a rounded song. Same can be said about the way Jack and I work, we go about forming songs in various ways. Sometimes I’d go to him with vocals done and an idea of production, other times he would have an idea and we’d work from that. Overall the differences and similarities helped to keep everything fresh, spontaneous yet still heading to the same destination.
Art Jefferson-Finally how would you yourself define Lea Lea the artist?
Lea Lea-Fun loving and conscientious…trying to play a part in making this world a better place through words, melodies and floor shattering bass.
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