LU KALA is a Congolese-Canadian songstress currently based in LA. Her highly anticipated EP has finally been released, and fans are calling it their new summer album.
We’ve had a listen to the EP, No Tears On This Ride, and it’s a collection of all the feelings she’s been navigating over the past year. It’s bold, loud, and unapologetically her. LU KALA is an artist that is not here to fit into the mold – she’s here to melt it. She listens to her audience and continues to deliver on the promise of being true to herself through these self-acceptance anthems. The art she creates empowers audiences to feel the exact same way.
In celebration of her new project, LU KALA has also announced a multi-city tour starting on May 8th at the Peppermint Club in Los Angeles. The tour will make additional stops in cities like New York, Toronto, and Montreal.
Now the voice of empowerment, LU KALA has become a fierce advocate for loving oneself no matter what. With two JUNO award nominations under her belt and the Billboard Canada’s Women In Music “Rising Star Award”, she’s proving to be one to watch. Fully embodying that fiery, defiant energy, she sings like she’s setting the world ablaze – and daring others to do the same. On the road to superstardom, she’s speeding ahead, so buckle up – the ride’s only getting wilder!
Her first EP entitled Worthy, took listeners on what felt like a journey through her personal diary. With songs like Don’t Count Me Out and Love Shit, she showcased her heartfelt sentiments around feelings of being counted out due to peoples misconception of what “perfect” looks like. It’s very raw and vulnerable and is said to have many fans in their feelings while connecting so deeply with the message. With this new EP, she dives deeper into pop/dance, which shows us the importance of versatility while staying true to your core messaging and mission. This new EP, No Tears On This Ride, is her way of saying we’ve cried enough, now it’s time to wipe the tears, get in the car, and turn up the music.
LU KALA has raw talent, wild expression, and enough confidence to set stages — and hearts — on fire. With her famous songs like “Pretty Girl Era” now with over 30 million streams, and over 355k user generated videos on Tik Tok, she is becoming more of a household name and we’re excited to follow her career and impact.
We sat down with her to discuss this new EP and what has her excited about the future.
The Knockturnal: Who is LU KALA?
LU KALA: I would describe myself as a bold fiery, confident, orange headed pop star – who sings the theme song to empowerment and self acceptance regardless of the odds. I don’t want to fit into a box so I’m constantly going against the grain. I’m an artist that channels my idgaf energy into my music so that my fans can also channel this energy.
The Knockturnal: When did you know you wanted to be a singer?
LK: I’ve always known I was going to be a singer. I remember being in grade six and telling people I was going to be a singer when I grew up. I was definitely the kid that was singing and performing Britney Spears songs to everyone and anyone who would listen.
The Knockturnal: What does this new EP mean to you?
LK: My first ep was beautifully vulnerable, emotional, and a look into some of my deepest reflection moments. This new project shows another side of me. The side a lot of my friends see on a daily basis – happy, fun, out of pocket, and full of energy. Never afraid to call out a man, but also always for the girls and with the girls. I feel like it’s going to be many people’s soundtrack. In an uncertain world, I hope people can count on me to give them feel-good music. EP truly represents alto ego that I wasn’t showing as much – the unstoppable bad b*tch who knows how to move on quick.
The Knockturnal: What are you trying to give to the world through your music?
LK: I want people to feel really good about themselves when they’re done listening to my music. I want them to feel like they can conquer the world. I want people to use my music as the soundtrack of their lives and to feel brave, and maybe it’s their escape from what real life is really like.
The Knockturnal: What excites you about the future?
LK: I’m very excited to tour! I’m going on the first-ever multi-city tour starting this May. I’m also excited to work on my first album. We’ve been working hard on my bigger project, and excited to see how it also resonates with my fans. Also very excited about the future of pop music – it’s making a comeback. All the pop girlies are killing it right now, and hopefully, there will always be room for my story to be told.
