Musician Lucille Slade chats to us about her background, music career and working with a Grammy award-winning producer on her new single, Khuluma Nami. By Kwanele Mathebula
I grew up in a township called Galeshewe in Kimberley, Northern Cape. I come from a tight-knit family. My cousins are like my siblings, and aunts and uncles are my parents. I learnt a great sense of community from growing up in Kimberley. After matric, I moved to Johannesburg to study at AFDA, and obtained a BA Degree in Live Performance.
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My fondest memory of music was listening to Michael Jackson’s You Rock My World. It was my family’s favourite song, and we all danced to it. I would even dance on the table while everyone sang at the top of their lungs. Music united my entire family, from cousins to aunts. Because of this, it became something that I wanted to pursue. No matter what I tried to do, music would always find me. Studying live performance helped me decide to fully pursue music because I realised how much I loved it. I then started recording and sharing it on social media for exposure. This strategy was a huge catalyst in getting my name out there.
Putting together a team of people I trust to help execute my vision has been difficult. I’ve learnt not to rush into having a manager or team. I believe that as I find my way through the industry, I will find the right people. Their vision will be aligned with mine, and we’ll be able to work together smoothly.
My new single Khuluma Nami is inspired by relationship issues. It’s about trying to figure out where a relationship stands. I worked on the single with Grammy-nominated producer, Evoke, who I met through my band members. I am excited for people to hear it because I believe they will relate and enjoy it.
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I’m excited about what I have in store this year. In 2019, I did my first live television performance on Live Amp, worked with Stogie T on his new single and performed on BET’s first South African Soul Cypher. It was a year of highlights and firsts, and I’m looking forward to building on that this year. I have a few awesome collaborations coming up including my EP. I’m also excited about my new role on 7de Laan which allows me to engross myself into the medium of acting.
