Meet Lui$a: the stylistic New York / Prishtina R&B underdog

At any moment, opening the Bored Magazine email can cause me to reminisce to the one Christmas from the past where I didn’t know what was inside the present box, the anticipation carried the weight of excitement as I opened it up to find something that I truly enjoy; new music. This time I stumbled upon an email named “Lui$a”. Curiosity stroked my fancy as I tapped the email to see what’s inside. What I found is what I thought was pretty dope; Lui$a: the stylistic New York/ Prishtina R&B songstress

shot by Andi Decani

An independent artist from New York but currently lives in Prishtina, Kosovo, Lui$a is an upcoming R&B artist with a fashionable style (check out her Instagram) but don’t let that take away from the raw talent and work ethic she possesses. Much like the young pop star Billie Ellish , who started began her road to fame at the age of 14, Lui$a is coming hot at the age of 16. With her confidence in her music at the forefront of the email I was reading, she lists her variety of influences including the Japanese jazz fusion multitalented composer Jun Fukamachi, singer/ songwriter/ actor Sade, the American hip hop group from Queens, New York A Tribe called Quest and Grammy Nominated recording artist Asap Rocky. Influenced by the urban life of New York City and Prishtina alike, her style of music is a fusion of 2000’s R&B and contemporary trap music. Upon her recent releases, she has performed Vfiles: Pass the aux Remote sessions this past May and is currently writing songs from other artists in Kosovo.

Earlier this year, Lui$a released two singles to tease her fans of the upcoming , self produced EP she is currently working on

Blue-

Her single Blue is off a heavy Sade influence as the piano keys take the lead, followed before simple, spaced out hip hop instrumental nestled in the back. Her light lyric soprano voice lays nicely over the instruments as she sings about love that’s difficult to find.

Gemstones-

Gemstones is a bit off the gate, in my opinion. The melodic pop/r&b instrumental with the 2000’s vibe and her mezzo soprano vocal range caressing the beat is a classic combination that possesses characteristics of a commercial hit.

Fashion, as well as her music , is another genre of expression she takes pride and joy in. Influenced by David Bowie, Dennis Rodman and Rina Sawayama, Lui$a inspires to blend fashion styles from 80’s ballroom culture and Club Kids in New York.

Shot by Andi Decani

Photography by Andi Decani, visit his Instagram for more of his visuals