A Chat with Dua Lipa, The New Teen Music Sensation
British artists are known to carry a roster of innovative talents - Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd are just several that prove this point. From classic rock to the world of electronic beats, Dua Lipa emerges as the latest to walk this path akin to her predecessors.
At just 24 years old, the young woman has inspired a crowd of fans throughout the world. And as any rising pop star, she has spread her wings over the lifestyle market, and is the most recent big star of the YSL perfume campaign “Libre”. And it appears like this is just the beginning!
L'Officiel: Where did your passion for music come from?
Dua Lipa: I've sung my whole life. My father was a musician, so music was always present in my home. My parents were very fond of listening to British rock and I loved pop. When I was 11, I moved to Kosovo and started listening to hip hop. I learned to love all types of music and to enjoy different rhythms. My entire musical background is the foundation of how I present my sound now, as a mixture of many genres, that is free of borders. So yes, I'm a pop singer, but I don't want this to be something that limits me. I like to be diverse in the sounds that I compose and I seek this as a constant evolution.
L'Officiel: When did you know that you would become a singer?
Dua Lipa: I was in elementary school when someone asked me “What would you like to be when you grow up?”. I replied that I wanted to be a singer. I just didn't know that it was, in fact, a job.
L'Officiel: How did your family help fulfill your dream?
Dua Lipa: My parents were very encouraging. They were always the first to encourage me on the path of the arts.
L'Officiel: If you went back in time and could give advice to young Dua Lipa, what would you say?
Dua Lipa: That everything will be okay. That dreams come true, regardless of all the things that happen, between the ups and downs. And not to let boys get you down. It takes a little while to have confidence, but you will find it.
L'Officiel: What is your first memory of a music concert?
Dua Lipa: I will never forget my first music concert. I had moved to Kosovo and, even though I saw my father perform live, the first time I saw an international artist playing was in Pristina. It was Method Man & Redman - my introduction to the world of hip hop. I started listening to them just before the show, because my friends wanted to go to the performance. I will never forget the moment, because it inspired me to go beyond what people expected me to do and create.
L'Officiel: As a singer, what message would you like to send to your fans?
Dua Lipa: I would like to inspire you to be fearless, to never take no for an answer, to always follow your dreams and be kind.
L'Officiel: Which artists inspire you?
Dua Lipa: In my whole life I have been very inspired by powerful artists, such as Pink, Nelly Furtado and Alicia Keys. I love how they position themselves, in that they are frank and stand for what they believe in. I love how they remain authentic and true to themselves. That's what I want for my career. Having role models like these in music has always been very important for me.
L'Officiel: As a composer, what is the best time of the day to create?
Dua Lipa: The best time for me is in the morning. I like to wake up, have my breakfast and go straight to the studio. I feel that my brain works much better during the day. I know that many artists prefer the night, but I love mornings and afternoons.
L'Officiel: What moments in life inspire you to compose?
Dua Lipa: I like to write about what I know. My personal relationships are always the easiest way to create, unless I navigate through something more complicated, which makes it more difficult to write about - especially if you are very involved. But at the same time it is exciting and honest, and it is an easy therapy.
L'Officiel: YSL chose you to be the “LIBRE” woman (the latest fragrance launch by the French brand); why do you think this happened?
Dua Lipa: First of all, I would like to thank them for choosing me. It is truly an honor. I feel connected to this brand because of its fearless aura. I stand for the importance of being confident, strong and powerful in relation to anything, about what you do and believe in, of always being proud of things that you put your name on. I feel that it goes very well with the same philosophy behind Yves Saint Laurent.
L'Officiel: What do you think of the fragrance name?
Dua Lipa: The name really fits well with the legacy of this French brand. Being free is something we all need to remember to be and it is something we deserve. I feel proud to be part of this project, as being free is something I stand for. And for a woman of our time, being free is a big part of who we are, because we just want to live our lives the way we deserve.
