Muse L’Artiste founded the all-female record label Powher Sound and is a producer, singer, songwriter, and member of the Recording Academy.
On August 27, Powher Sound just released the album “Herstory.” The first album with a wide range of genres that was entirely produced and performed by women. In an effort to support female musicians and have a positive effect on the music business, Muse L’Artiste worked with a variety of female artists.
Additionally, she has collaborated with a number of well-known musicians, including Femi Kuti, Manu Dibango, Uhmeer, Walter Cosby, Vitaa, and others. Check out her single ‘Groove Theory’ and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you guys come from and how you got started?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: I was born in Paris and my parents are from Cameroon (Central Africa). From a very young age I was introduced to a rich array of music, from African music, to Soul and R&B by way of classical music and French classics from the 60’s. I started reading music by the age of 5. Shortly after I started piano lessons and I fell in love with it. By age 11, I started producing Hip-Hop tracks as I grew up in the 90’s, I was heavily influenced by this genre. Then when I got enough courage, I went on singing as well.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: I’d say both. Piano lessons were central for discipline, for knowing what’s what. That was the basis for everything for a long time for me. Everything I was producing or writing was through that lens. When I started detaching myself from it, I realized that there was a land of possibilities and sounds that I hadn’t explored. I got equipped, slowly but surely. When I moved to Los Angeles 12 years ago, I was spending a lot of time in professional studios. I was observing a lot, taking all that information in. Then I was going back home, got into my DAW and reproduced what I’ve learnt, everyday.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘MUSE L’ARTISTE’?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: There are a lot of influences but Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston will always be at the very top of my list. They are just part of my musical DNA. Each one of their songs is connected to at least one moment of my life, and that’s what music is all about. In terms of genres, I connect with African music like Makossa and Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, R&B and Neo-Soul.
When it comes to my artist name, my other half picked that one for me.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: Well I had various musical phases. I’ve embraced Hip-Hop at an early age. I’ve always liked to work with people who think that lyrics matter and I’ve always had this love for words combined with this love of justice. So for me that’s key. I generally want to appeal to people’s better selves, help them reflect and elevate them despite the hardship. With my sound, I always try to incorporate feelings into it with the chords I’m using, the melodies, the different sounds, because I always try to connect it with someone’s soul. Of course I’m all for strong beats, but I always try to go beyond that.
MUSE L’ARTISTE:
When I was a kid, I was literally spending my time imitating my favorite artists. The way they sing, the intonations, the attitude, the moves, everything. Then there was this long phase of trying to understand who I was as an artist and as a producer, which are two different processes. It takes years, I’m not gonna lie. I’ve learnt a lot on tour, sharing the stage with World Music legends like Manu Dibango, or Femi Kuti. I was very young. But I lived those experiences to the fullest, taking advice in, simply learning how to be an artist. The transition to Hip-Hop was easy as for me I was just going back to my first love but I’ve never been one that restricts herself. Music is music at the end of the day.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
MUSE L’ARTISTE:
Art in general has this huge power to impact the society in a massive way. Narrowing it down to music, music has always been political, massively impacting on culture. And for me, music is by essence spiritual. Blues, Rock, Soul, Hip-Hop, Reggae, even Pop music where we are led to believe that it’s just light and fun. We tend to remember artists who have broken barriers, whether it’s politically, culturally, spiritually or sexually.
You hear a lot of artists that tend to say music is a therapy for them, that’s why they’re making music. To be successful, this therapy has to work for others as well. I make music for the world, because we’re in this together.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
MUSE L’ARTISTE:
Music is part of my DNA, so it’s already been giving me back everyday because it makes a huge part of who I am. But I make the difference between my love of music and a career. Each music professional has to define what success means for them. As for myself, I know that I still have a lot more to achieve.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
MUSE L’ARTISTE:
Three case scenario: 1. I am led by inspiration at the most inconvenient times, whether it’s in the middle of the night, or in the shower where you can’t take your phone and record yourself. So I end up repeating melodies in my head over and over again until I get a chance to record.
2. I sit behind my board or my piano and I just start jamming until I get this ah-ha moment.
3. I hear some tune and I jump on my DAW and create something entirely different.
I will generally start with the core melody and build around that unless I have a dope drum and bass beat that comes to my mind.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: There have been some very tough moments no doubt, and a lot of women in the music industry, and women period, have faced those as well. However life experiences, good and bad, made me become the woman that I am today.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
MUSE L’ARTISTE: I’ve recently became a member of the Recording Academy (Grammys) which is an important step in my career. I’ve also launched an-all female label, Powher Sound, which seeks to amplify the role of women in music.
I’ve produced “Groove Theory”, our first single that’s been released recently and performed by Dallas-based rapper La Bell.
But most importantly, Powher Sound is about to release ‘Herstory’, the first multi-genre album entirely produced and performed by women from all around the world. I believe this is an important step for the music industry. The reason why is because it’s never been done and it’s long overdue. It’s about making a statement regarding gender representation within the music industry as well as celebrating women in their diversity. Bringing all these talents together, allowing them to tell their stories, putting their messages across, it was a beautiful journey. It wasn’t without its challenges but I’m very proud of it. From Grammy-winning artists to up and coming ones, it’s been incredible to work with such diversity of talent.
‘Herstory’ will be available for streaming on all platforms at the end of August, so make sure to check it out and be part of the change.
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