LIA BUTLER
If you’ve been on TikTok and heard a soulful, mellow voice singing in Zulu over a Neo Soul beat, then you’re already familiar with the rising star, Lia Butler. Making waves in the music world with her unique Neo Zulu sound, she captivatingly blends Neo Soul, Umbhaqanga, and RnB. Known for her effortless style, powerful storytelling, and heartfelt lyrics, Lia is quickly gaining recognition. In this insightful interview, she discusses her journey from singing in her small Durban township to reaching an international audience, sharing her creative process, the influence of her diverse musical upbringing, and the challenges and triumphs of her evolving career.
How would you describe yourself to anyone who has never seen or heard of you?
I would describe myself as a girl who makes beautiful music; cool and has swag, but also has depth. Even in my name, Lia Butler, makes me sound effortlessly stylish and grounded.
My genre, Neo Zulu, perfectly blends Neo Soul, RnB, and other influences. Growing up in Durban, with its rich musical and cultural heritage, deeply influenced my distinctive sound. Coming from a singing family, where everyone had different tastes, shaped my diverse musical perspective. I wanted to create music that represents who I am and I come from.
This layered storytelling resonates with listeners who find their own meanings in my music. My songwriting process is organic, often starting with freestyling about my day and emotions. I aim to create music that anyone can relate to. By drawing from my own life, I ensure that my music is authentic and connects with a wide audience. This exploration of my experiences and personality adds richness and relatability to the music.
You describe your genre as Neo Zulu, a blend of Neo Soul, Umbhaqanga, and RnB. How did you develop that distinctive sound? How has growing up in Durban influenced this fusion?
I come from a singing family, so singing at home wasn’t anything special. Everyone had different tastes in music, from my brother to my granddad, to my mom. Growing up in Ntuzuma, a small township in Durban, art, fashion, and music are integral parts of our culture. People make music everywhere. I wanted to create music that strongly represents who I am and where I come from, blending all the music I grew up listening to into one sound. My songs incorporate elements from various genres I’ve been exposed to. For example, in one song, you might hear gospel influences because that was part of my musical upbringing. My environment and background inspire my music.
“Realizing this is my calling and seeing people love my storytelling is incredibly fulfilling.”
Your music is celebrated for its storytelling and depth. What is your songwriting process? How do you balance sharing personal emotions with creating something universally relatable?
It’s interesting how people often interpret my songs differently from how I intended. A song about being ghosted can be received as a love song. My writing process involves a lot of freestyling about my day and experiences, which makes my music authentic and relatable. I always write from personal experiences, aiming to connect with listeners who may have gone through similar things. I want my music to be relatable to everyone, even my mom, who has strict standards.
Your career has taken you from local performances to international stages. What pivotal moments and challenges have you faced? What lessons have you learned from these experiences?
The biggest challenge for me has been change. Going from being unknown to having 50,000 people listening to my music is overwhelming. Every career change means moving away from home, which is tough because I’m very close to my mom. Adapting to adulthood and change has been a weird and emotional process. However, change also brings beautiful moments. I started making music in my bedroom with an iPhone 5 and broken earphones. Now, people recognize, appreciate, and respect my work. Initially, I wanted to be a dancer, but music brought me into rooms with people I idolized as a child. Realizing this is my calling and seeing people love my storytelling is incredibly fulfilling.
What disciplines or lessons have you learned from collaborating with other artists and traveling internationally?
Working with seasoned artists like Desire Marea has taught me the importance of being myself and embracing my unique ideas. There’s beauty in being authentic and bringing crazy, creative ideas to life. These experiences have reinforced that my ideas, even if they seem insane, are what make me stand out.
“I want to show everyone how beautiful my mind is, both visually and musically.”
What’s next for Lia Butler? Are we expecting an EP, an album, visuals?
Expect a lot of visuals, new music, and dope features. I’ve been experimenting with my sound and am now comfortable with it. I want to show everyone how beautiful my mind is, both visually and musically. There’s a project and new singles coming soon, and I’m excited for everyone to hear it.
What are you currently jamming to? What’s your favorite album right now?
I’ve been listening to Thandiswa Mazwai’s album a lot. She inspires me, and her album is currently my favorite. Zoe Modiga and Mbuso Khoza are also on my playlist.
