Chamomile and Curtain Calls: Inside Lashayah’s World of Music and Stage

From recording her first original track at Abbey Road to stepping into the spotlight as Effie White in Dreamgirls, Lashayah’s story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and soul.

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A Lifelong Love for Musical Theatre

For as long as she can remember, Lashayah has lived and breathed musical theatre.

“I’ve been a musical theatre girly for as long as I can remember,” she laughs. “Growing up I went to theatre school on a Saturday locally and the ball just kept rolling from there. I was up for anything and any role – from Princess Jasmine to Ursula to Miss Hannigan.”

Her early dedication opened doors to a London-based theatre company, where she experienced West End performances, took part in production recordings for Cameron Mackintosh, and even met theatre icons like Marisha Wallace, Tyrone Huntley, Rachel John, and Lucy Jones.

“All these years of amateur and professional experience led me to The Urdang Academy at age 16 to build my dance ability,” she says. But her training coincided with the pandemic. “It was a unique experience – relentlessly training for a professional career in an industry which at the time was non-existent.”

Her comeback came in 2024 with Sedos London’s The Colour Purple. That production reignited her passion and set the stage for her next big role in Dreamgirls. Initially auditioning for Deena, she was recalled for Effie – a massive turning point in her career.

“I’m so lucky the production team saw something in me that I couldn’t in myself. The rest is history.”

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Musical Background and Early Influences

Born in the UK with Caribbean heritage, music was always part of her upbringing. “Growing up my music taste was heavily inspired by my family – lots of Soul, Motown, Hip Hop, R&B and Funk,” she shares. “Specifically, I loved Etta James – always have.”

By 14, she was already performing in public. “I first began gigging at 14 as a Motown cover singer,” she shares. “So I was definitely influenced by a lot of old school Soul.”

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The Rituals of Preparing for a Show

For Lashayah, preparation goes beyond rehearsing lines and melodies. “When preparing for shows, for me personally it consists of lots of analysing – my voice, my mindset, my songs, my character,” she explains. “Really looking at the small details and tuning in to myself.”

Her routine blends discipline with care. “I drink lots of warm tea and many spoonfuls of honey. Honey over lozenges any day,” she shares. “And I make sure I don’t overwork my voice, particularly for Dreamgirls, because the songs are just so vocally demanding.”

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Studio Moments That Leave a Mark

The studio is where some of Lashayah’s most cherished memories live. She works closely with a small but talented collective in South London – J, Lucas, Venus, Nia, Phoebe, and Chidera.

“Some of my favourite studio memories have to be the occasional group recording sessions at the infamous Abbey Road Studios in London,” she says.

“In 2023, I was lucky enough to record my first ever original song Chamomile at Abbey Road, with all my friends. It can’t get much better than that.”

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Songwriting and the Search for a Unique Sound

When it comes to her own artistry, Lashayah finds her uniqueness through collaboration. “At this moment in time, all I can say is I have a few songs in the works – a mix of styles and genre-fusion songs coming hopefully in 2026,” she shares.

Her growth has been shaped by two key producers: Guilty Productions, (originally from Southwest UK, now based in Northwest London). A digital producer she’s worked with for four years, and Brudda L, who focuses more on live instrumentation. 

“Both offer such beautiful contrasts that inspire me and allow me to have creative freedom with the structure and vocals,” she explains.

This week, Lashayah finalised her next EP release and began recording. It will be a 3-track EP displaying three alternative stylistic approaches to her song ‘Chamomile.’ Since its original version in 2021 (made on Band Lab), the track has gone through different journeys with musical directors such as Lucas Lotus and Brian Henry (renowned synth player for Soul2Soul and The Jacksons). After years of indecision, Lashayah is excited to share all three versions so listeners can choose the Chamomile that resonates with them in the moment.

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Looking Ahead

From stepping into the spotlight as Effie White in Dreamgirls to experimenting with her own original music, Lashayah is embracing every part of her artistry.

“Working with particular producers has really elevated my music,” she says. “I went from using YouTube type beats to really getting to know what I like in a songwriting partner. That’s been a game-changer.”

Her story is one of resilience, rediscovery, and a love for performance – and as Lashayah herself would say, this is just the beginning.

As an exciting update, Lashayah also shared the release of ‘Beuna Suerte’ by her friend, producer, and one of her biggest supporters, Renné, featuring herself. Be sure to check it out!

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