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Lachi (artist)

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This article is about the musical artist and author from New York City. For the minority language of Vietnam, see Lachi language.

Lachi
Background information
OriginTowson, Maryland, United States, New York City United States
GenresPop / Dance Music / Singer Songwriter / Fiction
OccupationsSinger, disability advocate, actress, host, author, touring performer, executive
InstrumentsVocals, piano
LabelsEMI/Caroline Distribution / Sony Music Entertainment
Websitewww.lachimusic.com

Lachi is an American singer-songwriter, touring performer, producer, actress, author, and disability culture advocate based in New York City. Lachi's music is often described as Pop or Dance music.[1][2][3] Lachi is also the founder and CEO of RAMPD.[4]

Early life

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Lachi was born in Maryland to Nigerian immigrant parents.[5] Her mother is Dr. Marcellina Offoha, an author and academic. She grew up in many places, including, upstate New York, West Philadelphia and North Carolina.[6] She is legally blind, due to Coloboma.[7]

Lachi attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she created the all female a cappella group The UNC Cadence.[8][9] She then moved to New York City to embark upon her music and writing careers while studying music at New York University. Apart from obtaining side music gigs, she worked at the New York District's United States Army Corps of Engineers.[10]

Career

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Music career

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Lachi was spotted performing at an unofficial South by Southwest showcase by Fanatic Records/EMI, who signed her for one album.[11] On July 27, 2010, her self-titled album Lachi was released,[12] which included the single "We Can Fly".[13] During this time, Lachi was featured on Oprah Radio, CW and NPR,[14][15][16] and performed at PrideFest (Milwaukee), where she opened for Patti LaBelle.[17]

Lachi later collaborated with Israeli World Music producer Zafrir Ifrach to create the Mediterranean-infused Dance track Dalale which garnered over a million views on YouTube in August of 2016.[18] She then teamed up with Trend Def studios to co-write and co-produce[19] the song "Rude" which features pop artist Kendra Black and rapper Snoop Dogg.[20] In 2017 after releasing the Dance / Hip Hop crossover track "Living A Lie" featuring Styles P,[21][22][23] she collaborated with Markus Schulz on a song titled "Far" which Schulz placed on his 2018 Trance music album, We Are The Light.[24] The song was also chosen by DJ Armin van Buuren for his mix album A State of Trance Year Mix 2019.[25] In 2019, she wrote and performed Go with Drum and Bass producer Maduk which found placement on several gaming platforms.[26]

In March 2020, Lachi received her second Independent Music Awards nomination for her a cappella arrangement of the song Money by Cardi B.[27] Throughout 2021, Lachi's music career and advocacy work began to overlap, starting with her appointment to Co-chair The Recording Academy New York Chapter Advocacy Committee.[28]

In February 2022, Lachi released the track Say The Words, attributing the title to a need for society to simply say the word "Disability," a social campaign popularized by civil rights historian Lawrence Carter. The following month, Lachi received a grant, from the prestigious Pop Culture Collaborative, to begin work blending disability concepts with popular music.[29] This resulted in the creation and release of Dance-pop single "Black Girl Cornrows" a song about Self-expression and Visual description written, performed and produced by Lachi, co-produced by Black Caviar (duo) and featuring Yvie Oddly and QuestionATL.[30]

In June 2022, Lachi was elected to Board Governor by the Recording Academy New York Chapter voting membership and appointed the chapter's DEI Ambassador.[31]

Lachi released the anthemic alternative pop song "Lift Me Up" in July 2023 in memorial of mentor and friend, disability rights activist Judy Heumann, July being Disability Pride Month.[32] The song, in collaboration with James Ian and featuring Gaelynn Lea, debuted on MTV.com, peaking at number 29 on the Adult Contemporary Mediabase charts; and the music video, a high-production performance piece spotlighting American Sign Language, Audio description and other forms of Disability culture, Disability art and featuring Amber Galloway, Ali Stroker and other notable talent and saw sponsor support from Google. The song received a Shorty Award, a Diversity in Cannes Award, and was an International Songwriting Competition winner.[33][34][35]

In 2024, Lachi released the "Mad Different" project, an acoustic concert video series featuring collaborations with notable artists from varying counter-culture communities. Supported by the Pop Culture Collaborative, New Music USA and Wave Financial, the four-part series was shot in New York's Amazon Music studios, featuring songs like "Out of the Dark" and "A Girl" with ASL performance and audio-description by special guests such as Spencer West and Molly Burke.[36]

Disability advocacy

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Lachi began speaking and performing regularly at Disability Pride events and festivals in 2017.[37] promoting disability representation and inclusion in media,[38] By 2020, the New York Times listed Lachi as one of the "28 Ways to Learn About Disability Culture."[39]

In March 2021, Lachi launched "The Off Beat," a YouTube series chronicling her journey from low vision to no vision.[citation needed] In August 2021, Lachi was dubbed "a foot-soldier for disability pride" by Forbes Magazine.[40] Later that year, she established the global consultancy and member network RAMPD or Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities which works with notable music entities, firms and organizations like Netflix and Live Nation to amplify Disability culture, inclusion and accessibility within the music industry.[41][42] Starting in 2022, RAMPD began partnering with the Recording Academy to help make the Grammy Awards more accessible: working to add a visibly ramped dais, Sign language interpreters, live captioning, and Audio description, American Sign Language and ramps on the red carpet.[43][44]

Throughout 2021 and 2022, Lachi established herself as a go-to voice on disability advocacy in music, speaking with and performing at places like the White House, the United Nations, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the BBC, among other notable appearances.[45] By 2023, Lachi gained recognition for her work bridging disability and pop culture, making numerous appearances as an artist, expert and personality, including on Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club and in two Google accessibility commercials.[46] In November of that year, Lachi presented at TEDx Cherry Creek, speaking and performing original songs discussing disability identity and pride.[47]

In February 2024, Lachi was named a 2024 Woman of the Year by USA Today.[48]

In October 2024, Lachi appeared as the host for the PBS American Masters series Renegades (a digital series showcasing the contributions to American culture of unsung heroes with disabilities).[49] In November 2024, Lachi was named an ADCOLOR Innovator of the Year for her advocacy and work with RAMPD.[50]

Fashion

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Lachi popularized her glam canes concept in 2021, when she began bejeweling her mobility white cane with rhinestones matching designer outfits in celebration of accessibility.[51] Since 2023, Lachi has walked the GRAMMY Awards red carpet wearing elegant dresses and matching bedazzled glam canes,[52] and has appeared at numerous galas and red carpets sporting her canes, including the Barbie (film) pink carpet premiere with a pink bejeweled glam cane.[53]

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated Work Category Award Result
2020 Money (A cappella) Independent Music Award Best A Cappella Song Independent Music Awards Nominated
2021 The Bigger Plans Project Award of Recognition, best Short Film on Disability Issues IndieFest Film Awards Won
2021 The Off Beat: Going Blind and Staying Fabulous Best A Web Series Top Short Film Festival Won
2022 RAMPD Social Justice Nightlife Culture Awards Won
2022 RAMPD Libera Awards Humanitarian Award American Association of Independent Music Nominated
2022 Community leadership Honoree Diversability D30 Disability Impact List Won
2023 RAMPD Zero Project Award United Nations Zero Project Won
2023 Media and Entertainment Leading Women Honoree Ad Age Won
2023 Community Leadership Lead On Award Access Living Won
2023 Outstanding Contributions to the Art Habey Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts New York Carolina Club Won
2023 Entrepreneurship Judith Heumann Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award 2gether International Won
2024 Lift Me Up Song for Social Causes Award International Songwriting Competition Won
2024 Lift Me Up Bronze Award, Audience Honoree SHORTY Awards Won
2024 Disability Advocacy Edith Prentiss Award Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) Won
2024 Achievements 2024 Woman of the Year USA Today Won
2024 Achievements 2024 Innovator of the Year ADCOLOR Won

Discography

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Singles and Collaborations

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Title Artists Date Comments
Far Markus Schulz and Lachi October 2018 (U.S.) We Are the Light Album [54]
Go Maduk (musician) and Lachi February 2019 (Global) Released by Liquicity
What I Want Julian Javan and Lachi February 2019 (U.S.) Featured in feature film Married Young
Bigger Plans INVIDA and Lachi October 2020 (Global)
Duality Psyrus and Lachi September 2021 (Global)
Selfish Lachi October 2021 (U.S.) Featured in Spotify's Created by Women
Say The Words Alexander Turok, Bulin and Lachi October 2020 (Global) Released by Blanco Y Negro
Bad Choices Lachi featuring Guy Faux June 2022 (U.S.)
Black Girl Cornrows Lachi and Black Caviar featuring Yvie Oddly and QuestionATL December 2022 (U.S.) Celebrates Visual description
Lift Me Up Lachi and James Ian ft Gaelynn Lea July 2023 (Global) In memorial of disability rights activist Judy Heumann
Out of the Dark Lachi ft Medusa Oct 2024 (Global) Mad Different Series

Albums and EPs

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Title Date Comments
Such A Fool December 2011 (U.S.)
It's Our Time October 2014 (U.S.)
The Boss EP June 2015 (U.S.) Singles: "Boss"

Filmography

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Year Film/Show Role Notes
2022 Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy Audio description narrator A Netflix Documentary on Kanye West
2022 Keys to Success Self A short-doc featuring Alicia Keys
2023 Unlucky In Love Wendy Lindell (lead), Casting Dir. Award winning short film
2023 Lift Me Up Music Performer (lead), Producer Music Video
2023 Guided Frame with Lachi Self Google Commercial
2024 Renegades American Masters Host A PBS digital series.[55]

Publications

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Novels

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  • M. Lachi, The Ivory Staff, A Dark Fairy Tale of Kings and War, Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2019 ISBN 1544276605
  • M. Lachi, Death Tengo, Publisher: Running Wild Press, 2023 ISBN 0692425640

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Maine, David (November 14, 2010). "Lachi". Pop Matters. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
  2. ^ Marino, Layla (September 1, 2017). "Lachi's Ravey Dubstep with Living A Lie". YourEDM, Artist Spotlight.
  3. ^ "BAM Cafe Life 2014-15". Brooklyn Academy of Music. January 1, 2015.
  4. ^ "A New Coalition Amplifies Disability Culture in the Music Industry". The New York Times. January 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "Lachi — Music for the Soul". ABILITY Magazine. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. ^ "Lachi — Music for the Soul". ABILITY Magazine. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  7. ^ "Lachi, Transversing Expectations". Attribute Magazine. July 4, 2008.
  8. ^ "FastMed Chapel Hill Sponsors Cadence at UNC Chapel Hill". FastMed. 2015.
  9. ^ "Lachi Gained Confidence Through Music, Now She Is Pacing EDM in NYC". American Songwriter. October 8, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Rosencrans, Nick (November 2015). "It's Our Time". The Clef: Mu Beta Psi Quarterly Publication.
  11. ^ "Lachi - Living A Lie". EKM.co. August 30, 2017.
  12. ^ Brown, Janice (May 5, 2010). "NYC's Fanatic Records signs Shunda K, Lachi and Red Wanting Blue". The Sonic Scoop.
  13. ^ "Lachi: Lachi". Surviving the Golden Age. August 2, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Ashwong, Derek (July 31, 2010). "The Derek Ashwong Experience". Oprah Radio. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013.
  15. ^ "Power Rock Groups Pillow Theory And Lachi to Perform at Mercury Lounge". Top 40 Charts. January 26, 2011.
  16. ^ "Lachi". NPR.org. August 10, 2010.
  17. ^ Hammel, Cailley (June 9, 2010). "A Proud Line Up of Entertainment". The Journal Sentinel.
  18. ^ "NYC Recording Artist, Israeli Producer and Moroccan Vocalist Churn Out International Dance Video". Celebs Fans Reviews. August 30, 2016.
  19. ^ "Snoop Dogg collaborator Kendra Black premiere's new video". AXS. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019.
  20. ^ Karpan, Andrew (February 13, 2017). "Snoop Dogg is back and banging, gets "Rude" with Kendra Black". Pop Dust.
  21. ^ Johnson, Victoria (October 2, 2017). "Lachi Talks Working With Styles P and Wanting Her Music to Be Heard on a Marvel Soundtrack [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]". The Urban Twist. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  22. ^ Johnson, Victoria (August 24, 2017). "Styles P Raps About 'Living a Lie' in Pop Singer Lachi's EDM Song [EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE]". The Urban Twist. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  23. ^ Kompaneck, Chris (September 11, 2017). "On The Culture Front:Music from the Underground, Part 13". The Huffington Post.
  24. ^ White, Nick (October 6, 2018). "Markus Schulz Announces 'We Are The Light' Confirms Release Date, Track List & Next Single". EDM Sauce.
  25. ^ "OUT NOW: A State Of Trance Year Mix 2019 (Mixed by Armin van Buuren)". A State of Trance. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  26. ^ Scilippa, Phil (March 7, 2019). "MADUK RETURNS WITH NEW THREE-TRACK RELEASE". Edm.com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. EDM.com.
  27. ^ "The 18th Independent Music Awards Nominees". Independent Music Awards. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  28. ^ "Recording Artist And Accessibility Advocate Lachi Talks Disability Empowerment And Celebrating Blindness Through Music And Beyond". GRAMMYs.
  29. ^ "Becoming America". Pop Collab.
  30. ^ Kat Bein (December 12, 2022). "First Spin: The Week's Best New Dance Tracks From The Martinez Brothers, Nocturnal Sunshine & More". Billboard
  31. ^ Doby, Dr Jerry (June 3, 2022). "Black Blind Artist Makes History: Elected as GRAMMY New York Board Governor". The Hype Magazine. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  32. ^ "Legally Blind Singer Lachi Releases "Lift Me Up" to Raise Disability Awareness". Hollywood Reporter. July 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "Celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act". Keyword by Google. July 25, 2023.
  34. ^ "Lachi Releases 'Lift Me Up' Single With James Ian Ft. Gaelynn Lea". Broadway World. July 25, 2023.
  35. ^ "Advocate for the Disabled Community". MTV. July 26, 2023. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023.
  36. ^ "Lachi is Mad Different". Diversability. November 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "Bands In Town: Past Events". BandsInTown.com.
  38. ^ "Disability Pride Virtual PA Festival Presents Lachi". Disability Arts Online. July 9, 2020.
  39. ^ Leiderman, Deborah (July 24, 2020). "28 Ways to Learn About Disability Culture". New York Times.
  40. ^ "Musician Lachi Opens Up About Not Having To Live Inside A Closet About Her Blindness Anymore". The CineTalk. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  41. ^ "This Black, Blind Musician Left Her Corporate Job When She Uncovered Inequity. Here's Why She Wants More Women To Speak Up For Themselves". Essence. July 29, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  42. ^ Alexiou, Gus (July 31, 2021). "Blind Musician Lachi Opens Up On Coming Out Of The Disability Closet". Forbes. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  43. ^ "How The Grammys Got Accessibility Right and What They Could Have Done Better". Forbes.
  44. ^ Abbey White (February 6, 2023). "How the Recording Academy, RAMPD Expanded Accessibility and Disability Inclusion for the Grammys' L.A. Return". The Hollywood Reporter
  45. ^ "Lachi". BandsInTown.
  46. ^ Raul Krauthausen (October 18, 2023). "Guided Frame on Google Pixel With Lachi" Disability News Digest
  47. ^ TEDxCherryCreek (November 8, 2023). "Lachi". TEDxCherry Creek
  48. ^ Peter D Kramer (February 29, 2024). "Blind singer-songwriter Lachi makes her name by raising canes as an activist" USA Today
  49. ^ "Renegades Pilot: Kitty O'Neil". American Masters. July 26, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  50. ^ "Queen Latifah, Shaboozey, And More Honored For Impact At 2024 ADCOLOR Awards". Vibe.
  51. ^ Audrey Smith and Anita Rao (June 3, 2022). [Glam Canes and Blind Pride: Disrupting Stereotypes About Vision Loss]. WUNC
  52. ^ Donya Momenian (February 6, 2023). "Grammys 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: All the Celebrity Outfits & Looks — See Photos. Teen Vogue
  53. ^ "For The 'Barbie' Premiere, These Black Women Got All Dolled Up". MTV. July 11, 2023.
  54. ^ "Lachi Song Highlights". AllMusic. June 2, 2006.
  55. ^ "Renegades Pilot". PBS. July 26, 2021.
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