Charlotte Roberts

Laketria Luter, stage name La La Musiq, has set out on a mission to uplift people through the power of song. Her soulful contemporary sound infused with the power of The Most High’s word has certainly created a signature lane for her music in her aptly titled debut album Set Apart. She is the recent recipient of the 2020 International Singer Songwriter Association Female Emerging Artist of The Year Award!

Can you give us a brief introduction?

Yes! Hello, my name is La La Musiq and I am an independent artist who is making my way into the industry and sharing the word of The Most High God. I’m extremely excited to be a truth music artist, a gospel artist, that continued to just get His message across.

So, I know you get this question all the time, but can you give us background on where your name came from, La La Musiq?

So, my name is actually my government name, Laketria Luter. So, I took the ‘La’ from my name because I live and breathe music. I sing it every day. It doesn’t matter where I am. So, I wanted to express that in what my artist name would be. So, that’s why I came up with the name La La Musiq. 

Awesome! I know that you were born and raised in the south. You’re still there in Texas, now right?

Yes, that is correct. I am in Texas!

So, living in the Bible Belt, has that influenced your walk at all?

I would actually say yes. I was born in Mississippi and then made way to Oklahoma. So, still kind of in that south region. I would say yes. Part of it is because I grew up in Baptist church so I was used to singing in the choir as a kid and just being introduced to music extremely early in my life. So, I definitely feel like living in the south has played a huge part in my sound. It’s the way I sing and also what type of music I choose to bring forward. 

I did listen to snippets from your album, Set Apart, and it does have a contemporary sound. Can you tell us where you draw inspiration for the album?

Absolutely! So, I work with my producer, Silver Dollar Beats, and he’s a local producer here in the Dallas area. We’ve been working together for a couple of years now and I really like his style. It’s a little bit edgy and still modern. We’ve talked about what I wanted my style to be. I wanted it to be something that could cross boundaries. You know, to be able to reach people from all different backgrounds. So, that’s part of the inspiration for the sound that I have, the music that I like to bring forth. I want it to be something that can be enjoyed by everyone, not just a particular group of people. 

How did you decide upon the name for your album, Set Apart

That name comes from being a Hebrew Israelite in the faith as well as in my culture. So, the music that I’m singing about is not your typical gospel sound, if that makes sense. So, I feel like this music is set apart because of the messages that I’m bringing in each song. I just embodied the set apart life, the sanctified lifestyle of being obedient, of keeping the laws, statutes, and commandments. So, I wanted to embed that into my album and that’s why it’s titled Set Apart

Speaking of, there is one song, ‘The Doctrines of Man’. Do you mind giving us some background on that song?

Absolutely! So, ‘The Doctrines of Man’ is really about following behind The Most High God and not falling into the ways of the traditions of man. In the Bible, He clearly specifies days that we’re supposed to keep as Holy Days, things that we’re not supposed to do. So, my reasoning for writing that song was to really try to get people to open their minds up to see what it is that God has for us to do and how He can bless us if we follow that. But, if we’re following behind the doctrines of man, you know, it’s all in vain. So, that’s where that song came from. It’s really just to reach the masses to try to wake people up. 

Have you had any people try to dissuade you from taking this particular path in music? If so, how did you handle it?

 I would actually say I have not had anyone sway me. I did have some people try to tell me to laser in on one specific demographic, which I didn’t agree with. Just for the simple fact that I want my music to cross boundaries. I want my music to be able to relate to all types of people, all ages, it doesn’t matter. So, for me it was just saying no I do not want to put myself in a box. I don’t work well in a box. So, being able to have that creativity to truly express myself, I think it paid off. In a just a year of me being able to win a major award internationally. So, I think my gut was right. I give all praise to The Most High God of Israel for continuing to support me in that. 

Amazing! Speaking of, how has your journey been venturing into the music industry as an independent artist? 

I would definitely say it’s tough. A lot of people think it’s really easy just to you know make a song and put a video out. But, it’s a lot of behind the scenes things that have to happen financially and some strategic planning. Whether it be your marketing strategy, who your videographer’s going to be, your photography, your makeup artist, the type of clothing that you’re going to wear, all of these things are being done on my budget because I’m not under a major record label. So, it’s definitely a challenge. But, I take my time. I look at what’s going to benefit my brand the best, whether it relates to my music, my look, the impact that I have in the world. I just pray to God that He aligns me with the right people to help me make these things happen. He absolutely did that with this album. I had no clue where I was going to start. Who were the point people that were going to be on my team and He literally put these folks in the position. It’s definitely paid off. So, again all praise and glory to God. 

Yes, and that’s truly walking by faith, right? You take the step and then there’s provision! 

Absolutely! Absolutely!

Do you want to continue to stay independent?

Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with major record labels. By all means, for those that aspire for that it’s wonderful. But for me, I like to own my creative space, my ideas, the things that I want to do that God tells me to do. I feel like with major record labels you’re a little bit limited on your creativity and control of what you’re putting out. But for me, I’m truly doing it to reach the masses. It’s not about the money. So, at this point I still see myself as an independent artist. 

Do you feel like you found an easy medium where you feel like you’re being authentic in your voice and at the same time connecting with your audience?  

Yes, and I would say again a lot of it has to do with my background. I listen to R&B. I listen to jazz…country. I listen to so many genres of music because I like to feel like I’m being a universal artist, not putting myself in one particular category. You’ll hear songs of mine that’ll be a little bit more urban. You’ll hear songs of mine that’ll be a little bit more pop. It’s just a variety. 

When you were growing up were there particular artists that inspired you to go into music? 

Ye! Oh my gosh there’s so many! I would say from a gospel standpoint, I love Mahalia Jackson. I absolutely love the power in her voice and I try to take a little bit of that. From an R&B perspective, I absolutely love Mary J. Blige. I just feel like she knows how to connect to her audience through her lyrics, which is something that is extremely important to me. Then, I’m just going to throw this out there, I like Reba McEntire. She’s always telling a story with what she does. So, again, just diversity in my music, diversity in thought, and I just feel like I’ve been able to pull all of those different experiences and turn it into La La Musiq and what I have to bring to the table. 

What do you want to be remembered for through your music?

For me, I want to be remembered as someone that was obedient to God and truly shared a message of what it is that we need to do to get eternal life. That is the footprint that I am going to leave as La La Musiq. I just want to show people that it’s okay to serve God and it’s cool to serve God. You can do it with a little bit of swag!

For our aspiring artists, do you have any advice to give them? 

I would say the first thing is pray about it. Pray to God and ask Him to reveal to you if this is meant for you. Because, if you’re only doing it for yourself and not to glorify Him then you’re in the wrong business, specifically in truth music. Then I would say from there, start creating what your idea of who you want to be. Secondly, start looking at the plan. So, I need to create a team. I need to have a marketing strategy. What are the processes of actually creating an album? Identify the right producer that’s going to understand your sound and your creativity. Then, most importantly, just surrounding yourself with the right positive people that are going to help promote and encourage you to continue on your journey. Because it can be tough, especially as an independent artist. 

Any advice for aspiring artists on how to deal with criticism?

The only person that you have to prove yourself to is you. You’re going to see some naysayers out there, especially people that may not necessarily believe in the fact that you’re actually doing it. There’s going to be those folks that are just sitting on the sideline waiting to see you fail. So, I would just say stay prayed up. Stay girded in the word. Keep positive people around you. Constructive criticism is okay. That’s how we’re also able to improve ourselves. 

What are your plans for the future?

I’m working on a few collaborations which I am extremely excited about! I’m also working on my second album which is going to be way different from Set Apart. I’m still in the process of determining what the title is going to be for the album, but it is going to be a banger! It hopefully should be dropping in March or April, but we’re still working on the deadline for that. There’s more to come for me in the future!

To learn more about La La Musiq, please visit lalamusiq.com

Posted by:kingdom23