This post originally appeared on British Vogue.
She’s a rapper, singer, producer, graphic designer and art director; a founder of London’s most exciting multi-disciplined collective NiNE8, and a fashion designer who has shown during Men’s London Fashion Week. Is there anything 22 year-old Lava La Rue can’t do?
With a musical aesthetic she describes as an “amalgamation of West London, my identity and heritage”, mixed with trying to meld a “very mellow psychedelic sound with R&B”, La Rue has always taken a DIY approach to life, creating her own artwork, music videos and merchandise since childhood.
In that same spirit, the Londoner kept herself busy in lockdown, self-directing her music videos and orchestrating collaborations with the likes of TikTok multi-instrumentalist Towa Bird for her track “Angel”. Her latest critically-acclaimed EP, Butter-Fly, was a departure from the brazenly political tracks that preceded it, “as I wanted to show a part of myself, and realised that all love songs are inherently political”. In times of adversity, creativity prevails, and La Rue is one of the most exciting creatives in the industry today.
Go inside her mind as she takes Vogue’s personality test.
If you could own any work of art from history, which one would you pick?
It would be pretty sick to own a Frida Kahlo. That’s kind of a flex – a big flex.
Which fictional character from a movie, series, or novel do you most identify with?
Probably Niobe from The Matrix, played by Jada Pinkett Smith. That character is literally my style icon and inspires me all the time.
Which song do you never, ever tire of hearing?
There’s this sick film called Scott Pilgrim vs the World. The soundtrack was all made by Beck and I literally never, ever get bored of listening to it. I know every single word to every song in that movie.
If you had to live in another city for a year, which one would it be?
I want to say LA because I have so many friends there. I’ve been going there to write music a lot, so I feel like I’d still be really productive as a lot of producers are based there. But if I was going to live somewhere for a year I’d probably go to Jamaica. I wouldn’t have a problem with spending a year there. I’d be with family.
What would I find on your nightstand?
Some empty JUUL pods, a cup of herbal tea and some incense.
What creative rituals do you have before/while/after working?
Before and after work, I set the mood in the house by burning incense or candles. I live close to loads of trees which no-one else can see, so I love looking out and watching the squirrels and birds for a bit. I won’t think of anything – not work, nothing. It helps clear my head a bit, and then I’ll continue into the work. I have a big nest of squirrels right by my bedroom window that only I can see right now.”
What’s your signature dish when you’re entertaining?
Either a Caribbean chickpea curry or a vegan roast. A Quorn roast with onion gravy, two big Yorkshire puddings, mash and roast veg. And sometimes I make my own stuffing.”
If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would you choose?
A cowboy boot on my calf, because I feel like the whole cowboy aesthetic really represents me. When I went on my first tour, I brought a cowboy hat with me and I told myself that I was a cowboy on the road, instead of feeling all scruffy and missing home.
What would your desert island luxury be?
As obvious as it sounds, my old iPod shuffle with all of the songs that made me want to start making music.
If you were a cocktail, which one would you be?
Probably a Long Island iced tea. I’m really tall.
Which song lyrics best describe your life at the moment?
The first line of “I Would Die For You” by Prince, when he says, “I’m not a woman, I’m not a man, I am something you will never understand.”
Name the last book that you read in one sitting.
At the moment I’m reading big heavy books on racial injustice which isn’t really a one sitting thing. But the last thing I did read in one sitting was Rituals for Every Day by Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips, which my manager Milly gave me. It’s about doing little everyday things to keep you centred and focused. I read it all in one go.
What’s your star sign, and do you agree with its traits?
I’m a Gemini on the cusp of a Taurus and I agree with both the traits. I’ve come to terms with the duality of all my energies. People believe the stereotype of Geminis being two faced, but I see it as having both feminine and masculine energy. I can be both alternative – completely rock and emo – or hip hop and soul in the same sitting, I can be left and right, black and white, it’s embodying everything into one. I feel like Gemini represents that for me.
What’s the last note that you wrote on your phone?
It’s a shopping list that says: ear muffs, gloves, iPhone charger and laptop charger, because I’ve lost both those things on set for one my recent music video shoots.
Lava La Rue will be performing at Village Underground Thursday 19 August 2021.
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