Voyage Magazine (Houston) Interview presents...
Conversations with LAiLA
Here's an interview telling you exactly who i am and what im about. What my love is and what passion drives me to the max. Here's a back story on me so that you guys can get familiar with the artist known as LA!LA.
Today we’d like to introduce you to LAiLA ! Hi LAiLA, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I like to say LA!LA (laila) is an expression of me. The exclamation point in my name is expressive and is there because I’m an expressive person.
I am a vibrant soloist with a colorful personality. Born and raised in Lake Charles, La. My background is filled with musical talents and enthusiasts, My father, Darrell Dugas, is a professional musician who plays bass, guitar, piano, and drums, he also produces music and was voted Top 5 in the Top 10 Producers of America in the “Listen and Exchange” Competition held in Houston, TX. My mother, Shelly, once appeared on Star Search with Ed McMahon. Her mother babysitted THE Jacksons when they were much younger, and has a bloodline in the zydeco nation such as Beau Jocque, Willis Prudhomme, Tony Delafose, John Delafoisse and his son Geno Delafosse which is her cousin. So, this flower did not fall far from the family tree to sprout my own musical career. I am the mother of two beautiful little girls, Malaiya and Ivah, who has shown interest in music as well, my oldest being the more interested in singing and shows some promise.
After high school, I was living in Atlanta and Houston for periods of time, I decided to move back home to Lake Charles. I have experience in Culinary Arts where I studied at Sowela Technical College, Massage Therapy at The Atlanta School of Massage, & Physical Therapy at Unitech. Although I had interests in these areas, I returned to my first love “the musical arts”. From there I went to The Voice and American Idol and a local X Factor Competition and I am presently performing both locally and in the Texas/Louisiana/Georgia areas.
I’ve been honored and blessed to be mentored by one of the greatest of all time the late Mr. Chester Daigle (known as pops to me) known to the world as Choppe (chop), he taught me the ins and outs and ups and downs but the greatest lesson has been to keep God in it.
Another honor has been to open for and work with his son, Berklee School of Music Alumni & Violinist Jairus Daigle and his band The Network and performed with City Heat (choppe’s band). Released two debut singles, COASTIN’ featuring Jairus Daigle and Fast Forward for his 3rd studio album EnMotion !!
Featured in the Music Museum of SWLA, Black Heritage Gallery, featured in Duende Magazine and Pulse Magazine. I’ve had the opportunity to performed for Culture Fest, MLK Festival, Juneteenth Festival, Women of Jazz Festival both in 2018 & 2019 and Shrimp and Jazz Festival, Showcased at Crying Eagle with The Main Entreé and Jairus Daigle, I’ve sung for PPG and Phillip 66 Corporate parties, Christmas Parties, Weddings, and Country Club brunches, New Years Eve parties, Soulful Sunday at Blue Martini inside the Golden Nugget Casino thanks to Jarvis Jacob and The Gents, Lauberge Du Lac and was nominated as Musical Perfomer of the Year in 2018 by the Black Business Honors, all held in Louisiana.
In Houston, however, I had the honor of performing with Sam Ross and The Show, mentored by Aja Dominique, I’ve had the opportunity to sing with 22Mondays at Phil and Derek’s and just want to thank the late Mr. Nelson for the encouragement and advise, I’ve had the opportunity to sing at The Phill Wade Show at Taste Bar and Grill and much more.
For the past 20 + years I’ve been modeling, with opportunities to work with Funny Face Today Talent Agency in New York City, NY, which shows her electrifying, free-spirited personality. I have been featured in Lovely Day video with ESG, Big Pokey, Billy Cook, and Melo Montana. I was also featured in local artists’ videos and movies such as, Just Roll With It, All My Life with Harry Shum and Josh Brenner (featured on Amazon prime) directed by Marc Meyers. With the mentorship of my model sister April Carter, I have done Southern University Homecoming Runway Show (model, model trainer), Camp Walk This Way (Ms. Camp Walk This Way), Bronner Brothers Hair Show (hair model), Fashion Week Lake Charles (model), and so many more shows and pageants. Styling is my forte & touching people and changing hearts is what I hope to do through any and every avenue I’m in. LA!LA (Laila) is my name, and through God in me, I will REIGN!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Some of the obstacles and challenges has been not to doubt myself. I tend to overthink sometimes so getting out of my head has been another challenge. You can’t stay in your head too long or you’ll be trapped and it’ll be your downfall. Not listening to ppl other voices other opinions of you or your voice is a challenge but it’s not one I can’t fight. You want to please people but the most important person to please is yourself. You have to make sure the first person that is ok is you. The music industry is very challenging. It literally takes hard work and you have to be motivated and focused. People will talk, but you can’t let that stop you. If something doesn’t work out the first round you can’t just give up, you have to have perseverance and determination, drive and passion. It has to be something embedded within you. Don’t just quit being driven…. I’ve been at it for years. I’ve had people tell me to quit, that I can’t really sing, that I can’t make it, that I have kids and that this is not going to make them a life. I’ve had to step back and analyze what I need to work on and practice it, if it didn’t work I had to step back again and understand what I needed to learn to make it work. Your mentality has to beat it it can’t beat you. Mr. Chester also said “A musician never quits, he plays till the last note” some of the most profound words I’ve ever heard.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am on the music committee for a local festival called THIS IS HOME FEST, I am also in health and wellness with my mother. Our family has a business that caters to feeling good in your body and your mind. We detox and reboot people physically and in the soul. I’ve done everything fast food, office, sales, retail, health and wellness, but out of all the things that I’ve done through my passion is, will be, and always has been music… this is in my blood it’s in my heart, and this is where I’m headed towards. This is where I know I’m supposed to be. The ones that have come before me in my family are people that have always been there with music embedded in them.
I am most proud of my journey and my kids being able to have a role model that has never given up. I want them to know that the sky is not the limit it’s limitless…. I believe in the impossible being possible and I believe that you can be anything you want to be. I can do all things in Christ that strengthens me and that’s the truth. I want everyone to know you can do this. Follow your dreams.
I believe what’s sets me apart from others is my expressive way of living. My personality is the way I dress the way I think sometimes. I believe that people don’t understand how and why but that’s the beauty of it. The how I don’t even know I just know it’s happening and the why isn’t even my business it’s just what I need to do. It’s more than me it’s bigger than me. Everything else just follows.
I also sing at Rikenjaks and Panorama Music House.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Always and forever have God first, one of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned, but another was to listen to my heart. Your heart never steers you astray. especially if you lean on God. Listening to outside voices all the time will have you going in multiple directions. Trust yourself. No one knows you better than you know you. You know if you’re strong enough, you know if you’re willing enough. Listen to yourself, your body. Understand when to rest and when to shoot for the stars. Also, the ones who’ve come before you should be who you take heed of, my greatest mentor the late Mr. Chester Daigle always said, “We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us”…. Guidance is prevalent to your journey. Follow your heart yes but understand you need guidance too. I thank the ones who have guided and encouraged me through everything….
