Everything I do is with my whole heart. It is my passion. My ministry. I want everyone to walk away from listening feeling better than the way they came.
- Lauren Dukes (LaurenDukes.Com)
Lauren Dukes is a singer from Chicago who released her self-titled EP in September of 2021, in the midst of the challenges of the pandemic. After years of singing in venues in her hometown, releasing her first project was a huge career milestone and one which Lauren dedicated to those who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Get to know Lauren Dukes below, as she talks about her hometown, her music, her community, favorites, and most importantly, her inspiration.
Her hometown
WG: Are you born and raised in Chicago?
LD: Yes, born in "Chi-City." Didn’t move to Indiana til I was 13. Spent so much time here even after moving, it hadn't felt like I left until around 2012.
WG: What aspects of Chicago do you enjoy the most?
LD: Chicago is the hot spot for music, food, art/culture. Even if something doesn't originate here, it comes here to better itself. I love that anything you could want to do can be found here.
WG: What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago
LD: Mastro's & Home of the Hoagy. This was very hard to narrow down.
Her music
WG: I really enjoy this quote from your website “Everything I do is with my whole heart. It is my passion. My ministry. I want everyone to walk away from listening feeling better than the way they came." Why do you think music is able to uplift people in the way it does?
LD: Because it IS & DOES so many different things. It's an art form, it delivers messages, it heals, and can destroy. It transcends any social construct that divides us. It has a scientifically proven effect on our physiology. Something that powerful will, of course, naturally have the ability to uplift.
WG: What were the challenges in working on your EP during the pandemic?
LD: Losing out on the energy of the whole band recording in the same environment together. I really want that vibe next time.
WG: Which of your songs is your favorite to perform?
LD: L-Boogie (On the mic)
WG: What do you love most about singing and performing?
LD: I get the chance to, hopefully, help people feel better. It's also my form of therapy
WG: What has been your favorite venue to perform in at this point?
LD: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum
WG: If you could collaborate with three people on a song, who would it be and why?
LD: *Isaiah Sharkey. I enjoy his music. There are some of his songs that remind me of Marvin Gaye. His album had such a warming effect.
*Paolo Nutini. I've overplayed his albums and seen him live. He sounds like the second coming of Otis Redding (one of my all-time faves). He has such emotion and passion in his performances. His songwriting speaks to me.
*Janelle Monae. She has material that fits into so many different genres that SHE doesn't fit into a single box as an artist. She sings. She raps. She's a great songwriter & she considers the aesthetic of her performance. She inspires me.
WG: What is your dream venue to sing in?
LD: The House of Blues with MY band. I've had the pleasure of performing there, but it wasn't with my band.
Her community, favorites, and self-care
WG: What do you do to rest and pour into yourself?
LD: I sleep whenever I can. As an insomniac, that doesn't happen often. Also, I pray and meditate as well as enjoy a decadent dinner with friends.
WG: What was your most recent TV show binge? Why did you like it, or why didn't you like it?
LD: Dopesick on Hulu. I liked it because the cast was really good. The plot of the show involved events I follow in real life (the case against the Sackler family & Purdue Pharmaceutical). I didn't like it because the case is ongoing, so technically, it didn't have an ending to the series. You're left feeling uncertain about its resolution. Real-life already is full of uncertainty. I don't like my entertainment leaving more questions behind unless I know they'll be answered.
WG: Are you a reader? If so, what was the last book you read?
LD: This question made me laugh a little because everyone knows an avid reader that won't shut up about it (like vegans or people who do Crossfit, have cryptocurrency, etc). I am a reader. The last book I read is called Letters From My Grandmother: Wisdom of Ages by Dr. Sharon Johnson. I'd like to get The Testaments by Margaret Atwood which is the sequel to Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale. I read the first book and enjoyed it as well as the show. I'd like to see the direction the sequel takes since it took decades to get.
WG: Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are three of the items on it?
LD: I don't have a bucket list because I feel like they set people up for disappointment if they don't check off everything & that's BS. I prefer to value each day. If I had one, I'd love to visit a few countries in Africa. Then hop over to Spain & Italy.
WG: Favorite food?
LD: A medium-cooked filet Mignon w/sautéed asparagus.
WG.Favorite cartoon when you were a child?
LD: Aaaaahhh. I grew up with so many good cartoons back in my day, it's hard to pick JUST one (sobbing). My top favs were: Sailor Moon, Animaniacs, The Simpsons, Thunder Cats. If those were on, I didn't want to be disturbed. Lol
WG: Favorite singer now?
LD: This question could also result in an hour-long answer. Some top favs are Jazmine Sullivan, Yolanda Adams, Antwaun Stanley, Yebba, Jade Novah, Fatai, Tori Kelly, Peter Collins, and the unnaturally talented Ashley Jayy. There are MORE, trust me.
WG. Tell me about the top three people in your life who cheer the loudest for you.
LD: Dylan Banning & Bryan Banning. They're my sons. They regularly let me know they're proud of me. They are so understanding of my gig schedule, I sometimes can't believe they're real. The way their eyes light up when I sing brings me pure joy. I wouldn't have been able to follow my dreams without them. The third person I will list is GOD because there are many people who show me support and are full of love. I can't list them all, so I'll list who I attribute their presence in my life.
Lauren Dukes’ music is available on all streaming platforms, but you can check out her performance favorite, L-Boogie below. Many thanks to Lauren for blessing us with this interview.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.