Q&A: Lassai
The self-proclaimed conjurer of R&B/Soul, House, and gospel sounds and spirits releases his single, “Excellent” in collaboration with long-time friend, Thee David Davis. Lassai creates an ode to the blessings and support he has received despite his tough upbringing, and with that love he creates a world that is a haven for queer people of color. Influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe, and Maxwell, Lassai blends the best of these artists with his own supernatural artistry to produce smooth vocals and hypnotic melodies.
The singer/songwriter, who was born and raised in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, is nothing but proud of his roots. Featuring music videos that capture elements of the city and being immersed in the local performing arts scene, Lassai proves that there is magic happening right now in the Midwest. We’re highly anticipating the upcoming release of Wonderland, slated to be out October 7th.
Photo: Johnny Louis
Can you introduce yourself?
I’m Lassai (Luh-Say) - He/They pronouns. I'm a singer, actor, dreamer, world builder.
Does your background in theater influence the way you create music?
ABSOLUTELY. I’m constantly thinking about the objective(s) that I have when writing and performing music. What is it that I’m in pursuit of in this song? What story am I trying to tell? Not to mention the massive amounts of brilliant plays and musicals that I’ve read/seen and performed in that fuels me with inspiration. I love pulling melodies from my favorite musicals and operas.
You’ve stated that your collaborator on “Excellent,” Thee David Davis, is your best friend of 9 years. What was it like working with someone you have such a rich history with?
Working with Thee David Davis was a celebration. We always have a fun time with one another. The process was filled with tons of laughter and us sharing all the things that were inspiring us in the moment. We completely lost track of time while recording, and ended up finishing “Excellent" in one session. It was the last song I recorded for Wonderland and so that was truly the perfect way to wrap up the project.
Photo: Johnny Louis
How important is it for you to build a safe space for black, queer, and/or femme people through your work?
It is extremely important for me to build safe spaces for black queer and trans folk in my art and in the physical, for the sake of our survival. Black queer and trans folks are constantly under attack and displaced. We need protection, equal rights, representation, and most importantly to normalize queerness. Wonderland was written to empower queer folks and promote radical self love and love towards others, using mindful and meditative tools that I have to use daily for my own sanity in society. Ultimately I hope to eradicate homophobia and transphobia so we don’t have to hyper focus on survival and just exist.
Do your most recent singles reflect the sound in your upcoming mixtape, Wonderland?
“IT” and “Excellent” are very colorful songs and certainly add to the essence of Wonderland, however, I am also exploring dark and deep emotions with slower tempos. I really live for a good ballad!
What are you listening to right now?
Currently I’m listening to a lot of 90’s Janet Jackson, Demetruest, Kaycee Shakur, Cowboy Black, Tama Gucci, Yung Baby Tate, Serpentwithfeet, SZA, the list goes on! I love curating playlists on Spotify too! Recently, I started a series of playlists called “Wndrlnd” that has all my current faves that are sort of parallel to the vibes on Wonderland.