The Lvna effect

On meeting singer Lvna, one cannot predict the artistic powerhouse that awaits, based on her demure nature. The Gleaner caught up with UIM’s first lady at the studio’s base in Kingston, where she said she had spent the past two years moulding a sound her team believes will catapult her to international stardom.

No Quickie, her first single on the label, already supports this belief, as Lvna introduces listeners to the clear love affair she has with the hip hop and R&B genres, complemented by pulsating drum patterns by UIM principal Andrew ‘Anju Blaxx’ Myrie, and producer Sheenworks. Her sultry vocals are the icing on the cake.

According to the 25-year-old, the hybrid track has continued to gain traction since its December release. “As an artiste, you can write a song just to go with the trend or vibe and not like it, which makes it hard to push. But I don’t have that issue with this song because I really like it,” she said.

“Right now it is picking up in places like Sweden, and places I wouldn’t expect. I won’t say this sound can’t work in Jamaica. The Jamaican audience appreciates when the foreigners do certain music and spin it like ours, so why wouldn’t they appreciate their own putting a different spin on dancehall music? I just want to make music that the world will understand, so my target audience is people who will like my music,” she further said.

Her eclectic taste in music is represented on the upcoming single Like You, a predominantly pop and rock ethereal number with traces of EDM and grunge. There is also a collaboration with Konshens, and other music in the pipeline.

The journey

Lvna, born Lauren Hansle, traces her affinity with music back to her childhood. But like most things in life, there were obstacles in pursuing her dream. She was a involved in the performing arts at the Queen’s Preparatory School and St Andrew High School for Girls, but Lvna said her parents were not supportive of her musical ambitions. “They were extremely supportive once it was a hobby, but they were very big on education, so they pushed me to do that and I know education is important.”

She pursued her tertiary education in the United States, achieving a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, but something was missing.

“I decided to pursue music, despite what my parents thought, and despite the consequences. I just didn’t see myself leaving college and getting a job, it wasn’t in my heart and I didn’t feel fulfilled.”

Lvna returned to Jamaica, and started working with singer/producer Ce’Cile, but the partnership was short-lived because of conflicting interests. She has also worked with other producers like Ricky Blaze and Don Corleone, but longed for a musical chemistry. “It’s important to find the right situation in music, you have to find a camp that embraces you and allows you to be the artiste you want to be,” she said. “I had reached out to Andrew, and we hit it off on my first day in the studio. When I sang for him and he heard my sound, he knew I had something, and he saw where I could go, and from that point it has just been a journey of finding that sound and persona instead of just going out there with any old song.”

Now with a distinct sound, and a team that has been at the core of timeless hits by acts like Tommy Lee Sparta, Popcaan, Bugle and Vybz Kartel, Lvna is excited about sharing her talent with the world, and has no regrets about forsaking a white-collar career.

“The only regret I have is not figuring out certain things sooner in terms of the path I am on now. But I am a firm believer that nothing happens before its time,” she said. “Yes, I want to make some money, but I am not motivated by fame. My goal is to get stuff out there and do music that will take me around the world so I can see different cultures.”