LueMega

Bronx native LueMega loved music from an early age. Her earliest memories include singing while acting out the chorus of Michael Jackson’s "Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’" and singing the one-word hook from the hit single “Centipede" by his sister Rebbie. She also enjoyed listening to the colorful and eccentric artists Cyndi Lauper and Culture Club. She grew a love for various types of music from hip hop and R&B to reggae, salsa, and merengue as people would drive their cars with the windows down in what seemed like a challenge to see who could play their favorite music the loudest. The monotonous songs she ritualistically sang while attending her school’s chapel were no match for the soul-stirring music that had drawn her to church every Sunday and to choir rehearsal during the week. It was there where she learned how to harmonize, transpose, and sing for an audience. She continued to sing gospel music with her college's gospel choir as they performed at local churches, on campus, and along the east coast during their annual spring break concert tour. She was introduced to jazz music through the college radio station that played traditional jazz to bebop each evening while she studied, and she would occasionally enjoy a lunchtime jazz trio performance at one of the campus halls. This melting pot of influences is evident in LueMega’s vocal stylings, and her sound has been described as Erykah Badu meets Jhene Aiko.