Spotlight.
Lamaya
Photos by Kim Simpson
INTRODUCTION
Lamaya is a phenomenally talented young Scottish artist of Nigerian heritage based in Glasgow who takes influence from Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Grime and Rock n Roll to blend into her own hyperdrill RnB fusion. Curating her own melody and lyrics, her songwriting belies that of young years. LAMAYA’S stage presence is undeniable, kicking off her live career supporting Brooke Combe, and Children Of Zeus at Glasgow’s King Tut’s not to mention several other high profile performances. Having bagged a nomination for Best RnB category at the Infinitime Music Awards, tipped in the Female Artist category and in the Rising Talent Ones to Watch category for The Proudly Black and Scottish awards, LAMAYA demonstrates even at the age of 19 that the future is hers. Lamaya will headline AMPLIFI at The Queen’s Hall 13 December in Edinburgh and her latest single COMING FOR YOUR <3 is OUT NOW!
INTERVIEW
How did you get into music? What initially inspired you?
I’ve always been around music my whole life. I remember when I was little my mum used to tell me that she would always play Micheal Jackson for me even when I was inside her tummy. So realistically my ears have never stopped tuning in to the frequency of music therefore it’s never been something that I’ve figured out I enjoy it’s just something I’ve always loved and done.
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your music?
I want to make people feel the way music makes me feel. Music is a superpower, being able to use my art to guide others and make others feel seen is beyond powerful, listeners look for peace and meaning in music and that’s what I aspire to give, I want people to hear their own thoughts through me.
What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?
There’s already so many goals that I have achieved that I created when I was a kid, the biggest achievement I have made in my career so far it’s making my younger self proud, and for the fact that I’ve not even reached my biggest goals, I’m so happy at where I am in my life.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into music?
One of my biggest pieces of advice is never minimise who you are. Don’t think of yourself as a person of colour going into the music industry. Just think of yourself as someone who is going into the music industry because that’s who you are, when it comes to music because music is expression. Music is real, music is you.
Can you tell us a bit more about your new single?
Yes, so this single is called COMING FOR UR HEART and I have been working on this on and off for the past couple of years, its my longest project to Date. I have continuously went back and forth on this song. It’s a love hate relationship. However, there is so much power in this song so I can’t hate it that much. The message in this song is always up for interpretation.
What are your plans for the rest of the year and what do you have coming up in 2024?
My plans are always to take over the world, and this is what I’ll do. I plan to make a drastic upcoming I’m so unique and I know this, I’m so powerful and I know this, there’s no stopping me, 2024 is My year.