Lucy Love Can Sing, But She Can Also Do Everything Else

Leading Ladies is a column about our favorite female vocalists from every corner of the world—supremely rad girls whose voices pull you close and ring in your head long after they've slipped out the room. It's written by Yung Klout Gang's interviewer-at-large Lina Abascal.  

She may share a name with a British porn star, but our girl Lucy Love is quite the opposite. As a singer, rapper, video director, editor, stylist, and visual artist, the Danish bombshell wields total control over her art, like few American pop stars get to do.

Rocking Chelsea bangs and a leather varsity jacket, the Zambia-born art school graduate cites her first rave (which she attended at the ripe old age of 12) as a major stylistic influence, and often pulls from 90s basement rave aesthetics. She also releases grime-meets-disco music on her own label, Suberbillion, and has worked closely with DJ and drummer Yo Akim for near six years on three albums. She's no stranger to European radio either, kicking it everywhere from Germany's Byte to London's Rinsed. Her new album, Desperate Days of Dynamite, alternates between dancey ballads and more aggressive sounds reminiscent of early 2000s UK dubstep MCs. American ears need more Love, so I spoke to the Scandinavian superstar about partying in Copenhagen's lawless utopia Freetown Christiana, the importance of total creative control, and her house hit "Prison."

THUMP: I've seen you called a MC, but what does that really mean to you? How is it different from being a traditional pop artist?

It's because I started out as a rapper and a more traditional rave MC. Now I also sing a lot, so I guess I'm a bit more pop now and the most accurate description would probably be rapper/singer.

Who are you working with production-wise?
I'm working with Danish producer, DJ & drumming legend Yo Akim, who's been my partner in crime for six years now. We're a great team and compliment each other well, if I may say so myself.

You've taken some cues from the 90s rave era with your sound. What do you love most about that type of music?

I love the vibe and the iconic sound of 90s dance music. At that time, electronic music and rave culture was still new and unexplored. To me, it's nostalgic and brings back childhood memories, since I started raving when I was 12 here in Copenhagen's Freetown Christiania.

You directed and edited your video "Prison." What inspired the idea? Had you ever directed or edited a video before?

With the "Prison" video I wanted to use simple tools to create an honest black and white video. I was inspired by 90s fashion and vogueing. I've made many of my videos myself. Not always as the director and editor, but as the art director and in post-production. I have also made videos for Linkoban, who's signed to my label.

You are releasing your album on your own label, Superbillion. How did this affect your process? What is the best part of being in control of the release?
I have released all my music on my own label. It's important for me to be in full creative control in every imaginable aspect. But of course it's also a lot of hard work and demands total dedication and passion.

Do you write all your own music? What environment do you feel most creative in?

Yes I write all my music. I work best at home, alone and in the middle of the night.

You are known for your live shows and visuals. What is your setup? What creative input do you have in this?

I use many different setups depending on the venue and stage. I am the art director and come up with all the ideas myself, and I also make the costumes and scenography. I love working with dancers, over-the-top lights, and visuals.

What elements of underground and mainstream music do you fuse to create your sound?

You can hear a lot of different elements, such as UK garage, drum and bass, house, dance, electro, pop, dubstep and eurodance.

What are some of your favorite parts of the scene in Copenhagen? Who are some other artists you like or are associated with?

Considering its small size, there's always a lot going on music-wise in Copenhagen. The nightlife is great, and during the summer there are a lot of parties in the streets. Some of my favorite internationally-known artists from Copenhagen are Mø and Trentemøller.

Lina hates the word "blog" - @linalovesit