Hi Lu! We know you keep a low profile so thanks for being open to speaking with us! Your style and sound are incredibly eclectic, where do you draw some of your biggest influences from?

My mom is a teacher with special emphasis on language so naturally, I grew up exposed to a lot of different cultures alongside my own. First and foremost, I’m very proud to be Latina and Indigenous and that drives a lot of how I think and the sounds I love but all culture is what inspires me! At the center of culture is storytelling. Every place I’ve visited and every language that lives inside of me has had an influence on my music because it’s a part of me now too. Obviously, I’ve mostly been doing rap music recently. I think Kendrick’s quote from the Grammys and his whole run leading up to the Super Bowl answers this question best; “nothing is more important than rap music”, black culture IS the culture! It influences everything.

Speaking of cultural influences, is it true you got your start in the Korean music industry?

I did! The first time I went to Korea it was to visit a friend but I knew nothing about the culture, so I was excited to see a new part of the world. During that trip we ended up meeting some local music producers…one thing led to another, and I found myself in a professional recording studio for the first time in my life. We collabbed on a song – one person rapped in Korean, and I rapped in English. It was the perfect example of how music and especially hip hop transcends cultures. I was really inspired by that trip so when I came back home, I decided I was gonna go all in with pursuing music. I started teaching myself about the industry, networking and taking on odd jobs, specifically in A&R. Then an opportunity popped up to do A&R work in Seoul. I felt it was fitting to go back to the city that started it all. In Korea I worked on several different projects ranging from coordinating with Korea’s top fashion magazines such as MAPS!, hosting events at some of Korea’s trendiest boutiques like Nice Weather Market, storyboarding music videos for artists such as CAMO and a few idols, helping to curate an album that featured some of the Korean industry’s biggest names like Jay B of GOT7, MONSTA X, iKON, JUNNY, SUMIN, etc and I played a part in helping Spotify’s biggest K-Pop playlist: K-Pop On! with a campaign featuring global idol groups Itzy and SEVENTEEN.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a tremendous rise in popularity for international artists in the US – including yourself! Beloved artists such as Megan Thee Stallion and K-Pop megastars, TWICE recently collaborated in one of the biggest cross-cultural events of the year! As a singer, songwriter and rapper across so many genres and cultures, how do you think global collaborations are shaping the industry as a whole?

Shout out Texas! I have family in Texas and spent a lot of time there as well, so that collaboration specifically was very cool to me! I’ve loved seeing the blend of southern hip hop and Asian culture recently, it reminds me of my own song Texas 1997. When it comes to global collaborations as a whole; I think this’ll be the norm from now until forever – it’s just the nature of the world we live in. We’re all connected more than ever before. There’s an appetite for embracing both our own and each other’s cultures and I feel grateful to represent this new generation of artists who are just naturally multicultural and multilingual.

In regard to collaboration, how does it feel to hear some of the biggest names in rap and music as a whole, on your songs? Is there any pressure when recording with these legendary artists?

It’s very surreal! Sometimes even I can’t believe how fortunate I’ve been, and I certainly don’t take it for granted. I’ve had some moments in the studio where the pressure has gotten to me a little bit. One of my engineers was like: “I’ve never seen you second guess yourself like this before”. I really took that comment to heart because I know it was silly to second guess myself – I appreciate the culture and I know the significance so I want to always pay my respects, but I’ve worked hard for this too, I trust myself, my vision and my skills. Now, I view it as motivation to push myself. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that you are worthy and deserving of the opportunities that come your way.

You’ve racked up songs with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and TDE artist Ab-Soul, to name just a few! What can you tell us about how these collaborations came about?

I know there’s a lot of speculation and curiosity surrounding how these collabs manifested. Rap has always been a culture based in independence, ownership, innovation and community so that’s why I don’t think it should be a surprise when older artists want to help the newer generation. I just released a song with Nipsey Hussle (RIP) and he was a huge proponent of independent artists. The music industry is also very different from what it used to be and a lot of opportunities that never used to exist are now easily available. Times have changed; you have to be open to the idea that things might not be the way you thought they were.

We heard you just recently moved to LA! From Kendrick to the devastating fires, to releasing a song with Nipsey Hussle, it seems like the city is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. What has that been like for you?

I’ll always be proud of where I’m from, first and foremost; big love to Arizona y mi gente! I’m also thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the LA community now. A lot of people have this idea of moving to “Hollywood” and making it big in the city. I think it’s a very romanticized idea to many all around the world but with OG’s like Nipsey, Ab-Soul and even Snoop guiding me on this journey, I think I have a different understanding. I seek truth and I welcome it. I think this new chapter will be fruitful and full of a lot of beautiful lessons and life!

What is the song writing process like for someone who juggles so many languages? Is there a specific method you use?

I don’t use a specific method to write music per se, it’s always very intuitive. There are some languages that have a better rhythm or flow for certain beats and that’s usually how I determine. However, I do journal everyday no matter what. It’s like a mental workout and it keeps you in touch with yourself as you change day to day. The most important thing in life is to be present. I’ve recently switched to using an affirmation journal by Masami Light who is a Japanese entrepreneur and lifestyle coach. Her journal has you write three different things; “Affirmations”, “I am grateful for…” and “I am…”. Being disciplined in what I write has changed my mindset so much and it’s affected my songwriting as well. I feel like I’m more present and in touch with myself as a result of writing this way. I feel like I’m more authentic as a songwriter. Thank you, Masami!

As we know, 2024 was a massive year for you with all the collaborations. What can fans expect from you in 2025?

There are definitely more collabs on the way, rather than once a month, they’ll probably be more spread out. I’m looking forward to doing more live shows once settled in LA as well. The world is open! There’s a lot to look forward to for sure!