LADI6 INTERVIEW

Since her debut album, “Time Is Not Much”, was released in 2008, New Zealand’s Ladi6 has always managed to strike the perfect balance of Hip Hop sensibility with a soulful eloquence in her music. With the subtly sensual track, “Ikarus”, from her soon to be released third album winding it’s way around music lovers hearts and souls the world over Grindin put a few questions to the talented chanteuse to find out, among many things – what it was like recording in the musical Mecca of Detroit, what music helps pick up her spirit, and of course how she defines grindin’.

What inspires you, in daily life and creatively?
Love, life and all the in between.

You’ve been described as NZ’s answer to Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, and having seen you live I can see the similarity, but you are most certainly your own artist and along with the band create your own unique sound. How would you describe the music of Ladi6?
I don’t know. I really don’t know. There’s a whole bunch of cliche genre based ways I could explain away the music of Ladi6, but the question was how I would describe it, and I wouldn’t use any of of those. I suppose we attempt to make music that keeps our interest, so it’s an ever evolving thing that we like to keep undefined so you can do what you like. Being free to tap into any style depending on what’s moving you at that particular time.

Your latest single, “Ikarus”, is a subtly sensual, beautifully crafted track. Where did the idea for this song come from?
We channelled it subconsciously. Do you know how I can tell? Because none of us a really aware of how that song came about eithier.

You’re currently working on your third album, which you’ve been recording in Detroit with Waajeed. First off, how does it feel to be recording in a city that is so rich in music history?
It was a blessing to be able to go to a place like Detroit that has influenced us musically from Motown, Dilla to Amp Fiddler, but working with Wajeed was the real reason for going there. Working and hangin with him was the true experience that defined the album.

And how is it working with Waajeed?
Working with Wajeed was of course an education and inspiration in itself. He’s a real musician and a true artist, we learnt so much collaborating with him on these songs. Both on production and artistry.

What can listeners expect to take away from the third Ladi6 album?
We don’t have any preconceived notions of what listeners might take from this record, but what we can assure each listener is that we are always trying to progress and so we hope if anything, they take away a new idea of what and who Ladi6 is.

What comes first when creating a song – the idea, the lyrics or the beat? Can you tell us a little about how a Ladi6 track is created?
There’s no real formula that we stick too. We try to keep things as spontaneous as they can be to prevent re-using old ideas, or going places that we’ve already been. Alot of the creation of our records to date have involved creating a new experience for ourselves also, playing a huge part in the process.

Being a mother, how important is it to you to create music that empowers the youth and makes them feel something positive in this day and age of music that so heavily pushes the idea of ‘bling, drugs and partying’.
For me it’s important as a mother, it’s important as a human being. It’s the one clear message I find important for not just the youth, but everybody! Love and hope, the ideas of being close to one another, connection of spirit and to everything around us, these are ideas that I believe. But I’m a girl raised in Hip Hop and Rock N Roll too, and I love a bad song about partying, drugs and bullshit as much as the next guy. There’s a time and place for everything, right?

What artists would Ladi6 love to collaborate with in the future, and why?
We just want to make dope interesting music with any like minded musician, beat maker, singer, rappers from anywhere. At anytime someone/anyone could fit that bill. And in that moment we would be super keen, most of our collaborations have happened in a very organic way.

When you’re having a tough day what’s you go-to song to lift your spirits and motivate yourself?
“Lord Help Me” by Donny Hathaway and “Black Widow Part 2” Bobby Digital Feat. ODB

What’s on your iPod at the moment?
Unknown Mortal Orchestra II, Black Milk Synth Or Soul, Motown Hits from the Motown Museum in Detroit, Jeedo47 Make It Boom & Yusef Lateef Jazz Round The World

What’s your definition of Grindin?
Honing your craft, making your art, for the love of it. With or without the money.

Interview by Kristie Nicolas