Her gentle vocals warm through the music as the stereo comes on. Her 2021 extended play, King Vaud, might be notable enough for a first-ever listen, but her most recent song, ‘Roll On Me’ is a catalyst for exploring the rich Afro-dancehall/RnB fusions of Mauritian-British chanteuse, Lavaud.

Born Estelle Lavaud, the 25-year-old singer has come up within Afrobeats’ radar, since the pandemic-era where she dropped a music cover to Reekado Banks’ ‘Rora’, before following up in 2021 with a duet with the Lagos-based singer. Growing up in a rich musical background, especially with Mauritius’ heavy consumption of Afrobeat, Zouk, Soca, among others, the young singer picked up a very heated interest in music, especially the music of her motherland.

With her recent opus, ‘Roll On Me’ featuring her childhood icon Tiwa Savage, as well as other African heavyweights like Patoranking, Kanis, and Reekado Banks, Lavaud delves deeper into her knack for Afro-fusion, showcasing her rich warm vocals and poise for stardom.

In a sit-down with Guardian Music, the Hackney-based singer talks about navigating her artistry, keeping her roots closer, building a discography of timeless and cathartic hits, among others.

Tell us how you began your journey in music.
My journey started from a really young age, from the age of six I would say, my dad is a musician. He plays guitar, bass, drums, he was in the band the genre was secular music, Mauritian music. And I just really started from there and just grew up singing in church really.

When did you make your first major decision to do music full-time?
I started participating in competitions from the age of 13, around the local theatres, like Hackney, London. And then I knew I just wanted to be a singer. I went to my parents and told them I can do this; it has been my dream to really pursue it. But my first official release was “Town Cloud” when I was 20. Not long after that I was signed, and I released a single called “Deep.” So, it was in Los Angeles that I would say I started professionally releasing music, from the age of 20.

What year was that?
2016.

If you didn’t get a chance to do music, what else would you imagine yourself doing with time?
That would be a hard one, but I would probably be acting. Because I love art and theatre. Do you know what else I would love actually? I don’t know if it would ever happen, but I have always wanted to have my own little coffee shop somewhere on the beach, serving people really low-key.

Has that always been your personality type, more of low-key?
No, I’m an extrovert but there is a moment when I just really need to be by myself, and figuring out what I’m doing with my life in music and working on my own stuff really. So, I feel like I have a balance, I love people, I love going out and I love interacting. And I actually love working on music with other people as well, it fits my soul.

What influences your sound-style?
You would be surprised to find out that I don’t really tie myself into a genre. At the moment, the music that has been released is something that I have been experimenting with for about five years now. I come from Mauritius which also is an Island that plays a lot of Afrobeat, Reggae, and Soca. I have been around that music from a young age, and I really wanted to incorporate that because I want to bring my roots and all my influences into my music. I would say the reason at the moment you are hearing a lot of the sound is just because I’m expressing where I’m really from. It’s like a mixture between being from London and Mauritius, and it’s above me.

What’s your most interesting part of your creative process?
I would say living life. I really have to live my life in order to create the most organic and authentic music out there.

Which of your projects would you say have been one of your most interesting expressions of life?
I would say everything that I have really put out is an experience of having fun, or how I feel at the moment, or what I want to express. I feel I have really thought deep this year so the music to come will hear a lot more vulnerability. The vulnerable side of Lavaud.

You have worked with some Nigerian superstars like Tiwa Savage, and Reekado Banks. What exactly attracts you to Afrobeats?
I have always listened to Afrobeats from the moment it became Afrobeats. I also listened to the music of Fela Kuti because in Mauritius we played his music. But in terms of Tiwa Savage, the first song I heard from her was “Kelekele”. And I was so inspired by it and I really wanted to work with her. I think I was maybe 14. I’m still going to work with her again one day. So, even Reekado I have always wanted to work with him as well. Working with them has been a pleasure and an honour. And they are very kind, and they have always shared kind words to me and advice for me being in this industry specifically.

What are we going to be seeing next from Lavaud?
What next for Lavaud is that I would be releasing more singles next year, for people to dance and vibe to. You would be hearing a lot more of vulnerability and honesty, and something that I believe the world is going to connect to. Also I have some music videos coming out and definitely, there will be some live shows, and then a potential project at the end of 2024. So, many more things to come for sure.

Are you ever visiting Nigeria?
I haven’t visited Nigeria, but I would love to come. I have been meaning to come and record and vibe many times. I will actually come in December and we will see how that goes.

Finally, what do you want to be remembered for?
I would love people to feel that they have a place of safety with my music. I want to be an icon remembered for releasing music that is timeless. And I want to meet up with the big Michael Jackson, Mc Don and Rihanna, I would love my hallmarks to be just that. Just world class timeless music I can be able to share with the world.