COVER
Lucky Daye
Channels His Emotional Algorithm
By Sophie Cino
Publishing date: Jun 07, 2024
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I never go into the studio feeling like I know everything, that’s how you kill the vibe. If I’m feeling sad that day, I’m going to express that. I want to write a song that matches that.” If nothing else, Lucky Daye is committed to feeling his full range of emotions. Our conversation takes place before the release of his upcoming album, Algorithm. His vibrant energy is palpable even through the screen of our Zoom call.
When asked what fans can expect from this upcoming release, he assures me they can expect celebration and a good time. Amidst all the darkness in the world right now, he wanted to make this album bright. “I like to make albums on a big scale, so they can expect that.” He speaks with an assured confidence, the kind that comes from years of honing his craft and a clear vision for his music.
When asked about his inspirations, Lucky has his response prepared. “My main inspiration was George Michael’s ‘Freedom’ album, right? I started and I wanted to keep that feeling of celebration, happiness, and freedom, and being sure of yourself in 2024 from now on. I felt like everything is a shift and that’s why I think the algorithm is important because now it’s a new time. This year, it pinpoints a lot that people might not recognize. But I just wanted to be a part of the magic of 2024 and the magic of right now, right?”
The title, Algorithm, carries deep significance for him. “Algorithms are an accumulation of knowledge stored and everybody has a natural one. Whether we see it or not, I wanted to just pinpoint and show that an algorithm is something that you’ve been through all your life and you’ve accumulated information. You use that information, maybe you don’t know yourself yet. This is the time to know what you’ve been clicking on, to know what’s in your algorithms, to know what you don’t want in your feed, to know what you need to get rid of, to know what you need to do and be happy while doing it, and be fierce about it. Be aggressive and celebrate life because we are here. That’s Algorithm. We are here in the future right now.”
Lucky Daye’s creative process is both meticulous and organic. “First, I block off the moment. I preserve the moment so I don’t write every day. When I preserve that moment, I don’t write outside of that moment. So I’m always keeping it lucky, always keeping it home-team. I just fix my mind to dig deep about where I’m at in my life and what I’m feeling. Also what my fans need to hear, and what they don’t know they need to hear, then maybe grab some other fans along the way. I just love music a lot.” This disciplined approach allows him to tap into his emotions and experiences with clarity and authenticity, ensuring that every note and lyric is a true reflection of his state of mind. He believes in creating a sacred space for his music, a space where he can fully immerse himself without distractions, ensuring that his creative output remains fresh and inspired.
In these moments of solitude and reflection, Lucky draws from a deep well of personal experiences and emotions. He contemplates the highs and lows of his journey, the lessons learned, and the stories that need to be told. By delving into his own life, he uncovers universal truths and themes that resonate with his audience, creating a shared experience through his music.
Growing up in New Orleans, a city flooded with musical heritage, profoundly shaped Lucky’s artistry. “New Orleans is a place of jazz. So you get all types of different vibes and I feel like I brought those vibes with me knowingly or not knowingly. They’re in my algorithm.” Lucky’s early experiences in New Orleans also taught him the value of community and collaboration. The city’s musical scene is a close-knit network where artists support and learn from each other. His environment nurtured Lucky’s innate musicality, teaching him the importance of spontaneity and emotional expression in his craft. The freedom to experiment and the encouragement to find his own voice were gifts of his upbringing that continue to influence his music today.
I never go into the studio feeling like I know everything, that’s how you kill the vibe. If I’m feeling sad that day, I’m going to express that. I want to write a song that matches that.” If nothing else, Lucky Daye is committed to feeling his full range of emotions. Our conversation takes place before the release of his upcoming album, Algorithm. His vibrant energy is palpable even through the screen of our Zoom call.
When asked what fans can expect from this upcoming release, he assures me they can expect celebration and a good time. Amidst all the darkness in the world right now, he wanted to make this album bright. “I like to make albums on a big scale, so they can expect that.” He speaks with an assured confidence, the kind that comes from years of honing his craft and a clear vision for his music.
When asked about his inspirations, Lucky has his response prepared. “My main inspiration was George Michael’s ‘Freedom’ album, right? I started and I wanted to keep that feeling of celebration, happiness, and freedom, and being sure of yourself in 2024 from now on. I felt like everything is a shift and that’s why I think the algorithm is important because now it’s a new time. This year, it pinpoints a lot that people might not recognize. But I just wanted to be a part of the magic of 2024 and the magic of right now, right?”
The title, Algorithm, carries deep significance for him. “Algorithms are an accumulation of knowledge stored and everybody has a natural one. Whether we see it or not, I wanted to just pinpoint and show that an algorithm is something that you’ve been through all your life and you’ve accumulated information. You use that information, maybe you don’t know yourself yet. This is the time to know what you’ve been clicking on, to know what’s in your algorithms, to know what you don’t want in your feed, to know what you need to get rid of, to know what you need to do and be happy while doing it, and be fierce about it. Be aggressive and celebrate life because we are here. That’s Algorithm. We are here in the future right now.”
Lucky Daye’s creative process is both meticulous and organic. “First, I block off the moment. I preserve the moment so I don’t write every day. When I preserve that moment, I don’t write outside of that moment. So I’m always keeping it lucky, always keeping it home-team. I just fix my mind to dig deep about where I’m at in my life and what I’m feeling. Also what my fans need to hear, and what they don’t know they need to hear, then maybe grab some other fans along the way. I just love music a lot.” This disciplined approach allows him to tap into his emotions and experiences with clarity and authenticity, ensuring that every note and lyric is a true reflection of his state of mind. He believes in creating a sacred space for his music, a space where he can fully immerse himself without distractions, ensuring that his creative output remains fresh and inspired.
In these moments of solitude and reflection, Lucky draws from a deep well of personal experiences and emotions. He contemplates the highs and lows of his journey, the lessons learned, and the stories that need to be told. By delving into his own life, he uncovers universal truths and themes that resonate with his audience, creating a shared experience through his music.
Growing up in New Orleans, a city flooded with musical heritage, profoundly shaped Lucky’s artistry. “New Orleans is a place of jazz. So you get all types of different vibes and I feel like I brought those vibes with me knowingly or not knowingly. They’re in my algorithm.” Lucky’s early experiences in New Orleans also taught him the value of community and collaboration. The city’s musical scene is a close-knit network where artists support and learn from each other. His environment nurtured Lucky’s innate musicality, teaching him the importance of spontaneity and emotional expression in his craft. The freedom to experiment and the encouragement to find his own voice were gifts of his upbringing that continue to influence his music today.
I'm hyper-everything. I'm hyper-sensitive. I'm hyper-thinking. I'm hyper-empathetic.
Lucky’s journey as a songwriter for renowned artists has also played a crucial role in his development. “I’ve written for a lot of people. I’ve practiced trying to mimic certain people, country songs, number ones, and all types of other songs. I think it all came from me practicing how to mimic when I wanted to get a Rihanna placement, so I mimicked Rihanna. I tried to mimic Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry. Even as a child, I’ve always learned by mimicking people, mimicking Ginuwine, mimicking everybody.” He wants to feel that same feeling when he’s singing it in his own voice and mind with confidence. The more he does it, the better he gets.
Through these experiences, he has gleaned valuable lessons. “Every time I’m in the studio, not even just with artists, but with writers too, all of it was a learning lesson to me and all of it still is a learning lesson to me. I never go into the studio feeling like I know everything, that’s how you kill the vibe. So if I’m feeling sad that day, I’m going to express that. I want to write a song that matches that.”
The personal nature of his single “HERicane,” grounded in the chaos of a turbulent relationship, speaks to his deep emotional investment in his music. “Being calm in a situation where you want love so much that you dive so deep into it where you don’t realize you’re not getting love back.” After this, he knew he needed to make a change. “In life, I always tell myself it’s about standing your ground, staying focused no matter what’s going on, no matter who’s saying what, no matter who sounds like you, who’s taking your ideas, who’s doing this and that. Hold on, stay strong, and make more ideas.” This revelation was a pivotal moment for Lucky, reflecting a broader theme in his music: the journey of self-discovery and resilience. “HERicane” isn’t just a song about heartbreak; it’s an anthem of empowerment and self-awareness. The emotional turbulence he experienced fueled his creativity, turning pain into a powerful artistic expression.
Staying grounded in the fast-paced music industry is a challenge, but Lucky’s hyper-awareness helps him navigate it. “I’m hyper-everything. I’m hyper-sensitive. I’m hyper-thinking. I’m hyper-empathetic. So for me, new ideas come from everywhere. I can walk outside and make a new song.” As we discuss his musical inspirations, Lucky credits everybody as his teacher. He names artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Usher and more.
For aspiring musicians, Lucky offers simple yet profound advice: “They just told me to keep going and I know it sounds so simple but even just staying on track is tough. It’s really hard when you have distractions. You want to be in love, you want to have friends, you want to go out, you want to party, you want to be cool, you want to know you’re accepted but you can’t. You have to just keep working and then get to your point first. Whatever you see for yourself, when you close your eyes, don’t change it when you open them. What you see, that’s it.”
As our conversation comes to a close, Lucky Daye’s passion and dedication to his craft are unmistakable. His journey, marked by growth and resilience, is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself while continuously evolving. With Algorithm, he invites fans to join him in celebrating life, embracing love, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of emotions and experiences.
Photographer: Travys Owen
