Lucille Ghatti
Photography Edward Zephyrin.
A Q&A with one of R&B’s most unique vibrations.
Text Stephanie Gancayco
Photography Edward Zephyrin
Vocalist and songwriter Lucille Ghatti’s cosmic, introspective R&B first caught our attention back in 2012 with her sophomore release, “High Grade.” Originally from Oakland, CA, and currently residing in Queens, NY, she’s continued to drop smooth spiritual bangers all the way through her latest EP “FREE ME!”
We chatted with Lucille about her inspirations, healing and connection through music, and what’s next for the prolific and mysterious songstress.
Photography Edward Zephyrin.
How did you get into making music?
My mother loved music and she is partly responsible for my obsession in music. My grandfather is also a musician so it inspired me very early. Growing up I listened to a lot of R&B. As I got older and rebellious I started listening to rock, punk, emo, jazz, hip hop, and alternative. I was SUPER rebellious as a teen, I built my idea of an artist on the artists that were the most rebellious at the time. I was mostly on Tumblr as a kid you know, I was obsessed with social media early and I made as many friends as I could on the internet. I was always being annoying singing on Tumblr and I was able to develop an audience for my music from it. I met a lot of bloggers on the glory days of Tumblr so I was always very strategic about working in music. I recorded my first album on a fluke and it turned out to be a success.
What inspires you?
GLAM !! I love high fashion, and diva energy. Imagination inspires me and my emotions too. My music is a very emotional place for me. It means a lot to me to be able to express emotions and other people get it. I imagine scenarios in my head for most of my music. Or I may be feeling deeply about something and I use music as an outlet to express myself. I get to paint a picture of the moods in my mind over beats and that is amazing. One mood could bring a certain concept out of me then another mood could too.
I also try to modernize some of the things I’ve heard from old music and make them mine as well. Like I’m usually reworking a song from the past and it comes out completely different than the original. That’s my favorite source, reworking or rewriting super old music, like Ella Fitzgerald or even Cole Porter. I also try to mimic instruments with my voice.
Accessories, KABUTÉ. Photography Ada Navarro Aguilera.
Accessories, KABUTÉ. Photography Ada Navarro Aguilera.
How has it been creating music during isolation?
Lucille Ghatti: It’s actually normal for me to be making music all day and night. These days I’ve picked up designing digitally and physically. Isolation allowed me to do a lot and learn major new skills. But it’s usually how I live, in my room in a creative cave. You would have to pay me most days to leave even without the pandemic. I’ve been able to tap into some deep creative, alluring and mesmerizing spaces with music.
I feel like you speak a lot on healing and are super transparent about your journey with depression and being really hard on yourself. Why is it important to you to speak candidly on these subjects through your work and on your platforms?
Lucille Ghatti: I feel like I am the face for healing. I had a really weird upbringing as a child, I was always transforming myself and adapting. I didn’t have a voice as a child to express myself or talk about my mental state at all. My music gives me a voice, though. It gives me a place to express the bad things society hides from. It’s honestly the best way I can rid myself of those thoughts and feelings as well. Saying them out loud to strangers makes them less powerful to me. It’s like a self check. It has also connected me to some amazing-ass fans who have helped me during those times. It connects me spiritually to people, I guess.
You've mentioned that being a voice for Black women and the liberation of Black women's minds is your life's goal. How does living through this time of social upheaval and visible violence against BIPOC influence your work, especially as a Black/Asian woman?
Lucille Ghatti: For me, I was fortunate to be raised with knowledge of all the oppression we’ve experienced. And it only adds fuel to my spirit to be better than my oppressor. It also encourages me to find my place in the world without the American society being on my back. Every choice we make has a consequence, and I believe it’s up to all of us disempowered and oppressed people to stick together and recognize the real enemy. We have to work together and empower each other. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.
Being mixed race, I am quite a few things - Filipina, Nigerian, Dominican - and it makes me feel like I have to be a voice for ALL oppressed minds. I want to change my own narrative because although I have identified with my blackness lovingly, truthfully, and painfully at the same time I am still many cultures in one. It is a life goal of mine for us to identify and connect with our common causes of suffering to restructure what our future may look like. I feel like through music I can instill spirit, heal emotions, and educate on self. Music is a powerful tool to connect with many people and spread powerful messages.
What’s next? What are you excited about?
Lucille Ghatti: I want a record deal, a global distribution deal where I can thrive as an artist. I’ve recorded 3 new albums this year and I’m super excited to bring everything to life. I can finally see my music vision extremely clearly. I’m ready to make a name for myself and become a star. My son is getting older, I’m excited to raise him and be a good mother. I have a lot of things to be grateful for and I’m excited to not miss one second of life.
