“If you cut a French person open, they bleed cinema. If you cut a person from the UK open, they bleed music and the best music is coming out of the UK,” said Lyor Cohen, Head Of YouTube Music. Lahrel, is one such artist emerging from the British Empire and making her sojourn in the music industry by way of modern R&B and Pop infused music.
Bornin Carlene Laurel Simms, she sits down with WMV exclusively at Geejam Studios in Portland Jamaica,to talk about her unconventional route to stardom and what its like working with Omi and pop hit maker BEAM who scored two Gold certifications in Canada and the U.S. with Beyoncé recently.
What is the music scene like in the U.K.?
We have some of the best music to come out of London. London is a melting pot, with different cultures, different religions, different races. That makes it a unique place for the music industry.
How did you get into the music industry?
I started in church with my Grandmother. My dad was in the business so he would have bands come practice at the house. I attended stage school for the performing arts and I just wouldn’t stop.
Did you play instruments in church?
I didn’t, I played a mean tambourine. My hand game is amazing.
How would you describe your music now?
I would say Pop-fusion. Because I incorporate different sounds. That’s how I grew up around muslims, black, white so I incorporate these kinds of sounds in my music with a very pop formula. But a very Jamaican background.
Explain ‘Woman No Cry’.
I recorded it at Plumhouse, it was a 24 hour session, I was working with an amazing artist called Beam. The beam came on and I freestyle everything. Prior to recording we were talking about relationships and that was the vibe I felt honestly. I wanted to tap into my past and experiences that went through like domestic violence. This was the perfect song.
Does this make you feel emotional in any way?
Yeah it does, it was up to me i’d record and leave it in the studio but it was my manager Ryan who encouraged me and said its ok to have these experiences and let people hear your message, so they can hear who you are as a person.
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How do you want your music to be received?
I love women, and men, but I want the woman who is trying to create a better life for herself and doesn’t use her past as an excuse, black, white, every religion, and multiculturalism is my type of audience.
How do you balance who you are as a U.K. girl with music that will go to the world?
When I look back at the people I have encountered, it prepared me for the type of music I want to make. Me making world and global music it’s not far-fetched.
Have you done any performances yet?
I have toured the world with Omi. His success inspired me, being on tour lets me see how the audience will see the music. We went to India, Japan, and China. God is amazing and my first show was China with ten thousand people.
What does success look like for you?
Always humble, always for the people. I want my music to speak volumes and help encourage people. I want my music to be a global sounding music.
You are from the U.K. but you came to Jamaica to do music, why?
So Jamaica is one of the best places, has the best food cause I love food. But I came to work with Specialist and Ryan and make music again.
Have you seen any Jamaican artists you like?
Yes, Lila Ike, Sevanna, Skilli, Teejay, Djani, Shenseea she is amazing.
Who is in your top five favorite artists of all time?
Love Beyonce, Sade, one of my favorite songwriters is Dolly Parton, Bob Marley and Fela Kute, I love his music and what he stands for.
What’s your social media strategy as an artist?
Just be consistent. Use social media time for feedback. It’s easy to be secluded as an artist but these are the people who we need to be with this. Ask questions, finding innovative ways to be different.
What is it like working with Beam?
We are similar, we take out work seriously. He pushes me to be better and when I am in the room with him I sit and watch him. It’s amazing, you have to be ready to work with him and really step up your game.
