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'{{short description|American musician}} {{About|a musical artist and author from New York City|the minority language of Vietnam|Lachi language}} {{COI|date=October 2018}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist |Name = Lachi |image = Lachi-singer-songwriter-music-edm-newyork-nyc-performing at highline.jpg |background = solo_singer |origin ={{flagicon|USA}} [[Towson]], [[Maryland]], United States |Occupation = {{flatlist| * Composer * singer * songwriter * voice-over actress * author * disability advocate }} |Instrument = Piano, Vocals, Guitar | Genre = [[pop music|Pop]] / [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] / [[Singer Songwriter]] / [[Fiction]] | Label = [[EMI]]/[[Caroline Distribution]] [[Lifted House]]/[[Sony Music Entertainment]] |website = {{URL|http://www.lachimusic.com/}} }} '''Lachi''' is a vocalist, songwriter, composer, producer, diversity and disability inclusion advocate, voice actor and author based in [[New York City]]. Having released, cowritten or collaborated on numerous albums and singles, Lachi's music is often described as [[pop music|Pop]] or [[Electronic dance music|EDM]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maine |first1=David |title = Lachi |url = https://www.popmatters.com/131679-lachi-lachi-2496131618.html |access-date = 2010-11-14|language = en-US |publisher=Pop Matters |date=Nov 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marino |first1=Layla |title = Lachi's Ravey Dubstep with Living A Lie |url = https://www.youredm.com/2017/09/01/new-artist-spotlight-lachis-ravey-dubstep-living-lie/ |language = en-US |publisher=YourEDM, Artist Spotlight |date=Sep 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = BAM Cafe Life 2014-15 |url = https://www.bam.org/music/2015/lachi |language = en-US |publisher=Brooklyn Academy of Music |date=Jan 1, 2015}}</ref> ==Early life== Daughter of Author and Professor Dr. Marcellina Offoha, Lachi began writing songs and short stories at an early age. Lachi has a congenital [[visually impaired|visual impairment]], [[Coloboma]] of the retina causing [[blindness|legal blindness]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Lachi, Transversing Expectations |url = http://www.attributemagazine.com/ |language = en-US |publisher=Attribute Magazine |date=July 4, 2008}}</ref> Lachi was born in Maryland to Nigerian immigrant parents.<ref name="Lachi — Music for the Soul">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Lachi — Music for the Soul|url=https://abilitymagazine.com/lachi-music-for-the-soul/|access-date=2020-10-19|website=ABILITY Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Music became a natural outlet for her.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Lachi — Music for the Soul|url=https://abilitymagazine.com/lachi-music-for-the-soul/|access-date=2020-10-23|website=ABILITY Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Lachi's parents came to America in the late 70s. She grew up in many places, including, upstate New York, West Philadelphia and North Carolina.<ref name=":0" /> Lachi is her middle name (Ulachi) and is derived from the Nigerian [[Igbo language|Igbo]] language.<ref name="Lachi — Music for the Soul"/> Lachi's parents pressured her to go into a career in mathematics. She majored in economics and management when in school.<ref name=":0" /> Lachi attended the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] where she created the all female [[Collegiate a cappella|a cappella]] group The UNC Cadence.<ref>{{cite web |title = FastMed Chapel Hill Sponsors Cadence at UNC Chapel Hill |url = https://www.fastmed.com/health-resources/fastmed-chapel-hill-sponsors-cadence-at-unc-chapel-hill/ |language = en-US |publisher=FastMed |date=2015}}</ref> She then moved to New York City to embark upon her music and writing careers while studying [[Music]] at [[New York University]]. Apart from obtaining side music gigs, Lachi worked at the New York District's [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosencrans |first1=Nick |title = It's Our Time |url = https://mubetapsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2015-the-clef-fall-edition.pdf/ |language = en-US |publisher=The Clef: Mu Beta Psi Quarterly Publication |date=Nov 2015}}</ref> Lachi says that she started using music to express herself when she wasn't able to express herself verbally.<ref name="abilitymagazine.com">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-12|title=Lachi — Music for the Soul|url=https://abilitymagazine.com/lachi-music-for-the-soul/|access-date=2020-10-21|website=ABILITY Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> Lachi's hobbies include writing and creating a cappella arrangements.<ref name=":0"/> ==Career== ===Music career=== Lachi was spotted at a [[South by Southwest]] showcase by Fanatic Records/[[EMI]], who then signed her for one album.<ref>{{cite web |title = Lachi - Living A Lie |url = http://ekm.co/2017/08/lachi-living-a-lie-feat-styles-p |language = en-US |publisher=EKM.co |date=Aug 30, 2017}}</ref> On July 27, 2010, her self-titled, alternative pop album ''Lachi'' was released.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Janice |title = NYC's Fanatic Records signs Shunda K, Lachi and Red Wanting Blue |url = https://sonicscoop.com/2010/05/05/nycs-fanatic-records-signs-shunda-k-lachi-red-wanting-blue/ |language = en-US |publisher=The Sonic Scoop |date=May 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=|date=2006-06-02|title=Lachi &#124; Album Discography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lachi-mn0002030697|access-date=2020-04-25|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Songs from the album included single We Can Fly,.<ref>{{cite web |title=We Can Fly |url=https://hypem.com/track/12hqf/Lachi+-+We+Can+Fly" |website=Hype Machine}}</ref> During this time, Lachi was featured on [[Oprah Radio]], [[WPIX|CW]] and [[NPR]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashwong |first1=Derek |title = The Derek Ashwong Experiencee |url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/The-Derrick-Ashong-Experience-7312010-Hour-3-Video |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630031513/http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/The-Derrick-Ashong-Experience-7312010-Hour-3-Video |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |language = en-US |publisher=Oprah Radio |date=July 31, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Power Rock Groups Pillow Theory And Lachi to Perform at Mercury Lounge |url = http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=63034 |language = en-US |publisher=Top 40 Charts |date=Jan 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Lachi |url = https://www.npr.org/buckets/music/women/artist.php?artistId=451 |language = en-US |publisher=NPR.org |date=Aug 10, 2010}}</ref> and performed at numerous high-visibility showcases, including [[PrideFest (Milwaukee)]], where she opened for [[Patti LaBelle]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hammel |first1=Cailley |title = A Proud Line Up of Entertainment |url = http://archive.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/95909209.html |language = en-US |publisher=The Journal Sentinel |date=June 9, 2010}}</ref> Lachi then teamed up with [[Gary Pine]] to release "It's Our Time," a song she was commissioned to write for social music startup, Mixluv.<ref>{{cite web |title = Lachi - "It's Our Time" (Video) |url = http://aboveaveragehiphop.com/lachi-its-our-time-video/ |language = en-US |publisher=Above Average Hip Hop |date=Nov 29, 2015}}</ref> She later flew to L.A. to record tracks with Trend Def Studios and in June 2015 released ''The Boss EP'' through Trend Def's [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]] imprint.<ref>{{cite web |title = The Boss |url = https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/179510/poprb-songbird-lachi-to-release-the-boss-ep-june-23rdwit.html |language = en-US |publisher=The Nigerian Voice |date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> The EP, which forays into commercial Pop/Dance and [[Dubstep]], houses the single "Boss" which found a prominent feature on [[Oxygen (TV channel)|Oxygen Networks]]'s [[Bad Girls Club]].<ref>{{cite web |title = The Boss |url = http://rblmag.com/lachi/ |language = en-US |publisher=Rude Boy LifeStyle Magazine |date=June 8, 2015}}</ref> In October 2015 Lachi released her [[Fiction]] narrative, ''The Ivory Staff'', under the name [[M. Lachi]] through the independent publisher, Library Tales Publishing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edoro |first1=Ainehi |title = Interview with M. Lachi on Fantasy, Storytelling and Empowerment |url = https://brittlepaper.com/2016/02/interview-lachi/ |language = en-US |publisher=The Brittle Paper |date=Feb 24, 2016}}</ref> In August 2016, Lachi collaborated with Israeli World Music producer [[Zafrir Ifrach]] and Moroccan vocalist Maxime Karouchi to create the Mediterranean-infused EDM track Dalale.<ref>{{cite web |title = NYC Recording Artist, Israeli Producer and Moroccan Vocalist Churn Out International Dance Video |url = http://celebsfans.com/hot-news/nyc-recording-artist-israeli-produer-and-moroccan-vocalist-churn-out-international-dance-video/ |language = en-US |publisher=Celebs Fans Reviews |date=Aug 30, 2016}}</ref> She again collaborated with Trend Def studios to co-write and co-produce<ref>{{cite web |title=Snoop Dogg collaborator Kendra Black premiere's new video |url=https://www.axs.com/snoop-dogg-collaborator-kendra-black-premiere-s-new-video-120245 |website=AXS}}</ref> the song "Rude" which features pop artist Kendra Black and hip hop veteran [[Snoop Dogg]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karpan |first1=Andrew |title = Snoop Dogg is back and banging, gets "Rude" with Kendra Black |url = https://www.popdust.com/snoop-dog-kendra-black-2258310647.html |language = en-US |publisher=Pop Dust |date=Feb 13, 2017}}</ref> In 2017, Lachi teamed up with artist management firm Big Management<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Victoria |title = Lachi Talks Working With Styles P and Wanting Her Music to Be Heard on a Marvel Soundtrack [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]|url = https://theurbantwist.com/2017/10/02/lachi-styles-p-marvel-interview// |access-date = 2018-10-11|language = en-US |publisher=The Urban Twist |date=Oct 2, 2017}}</ref> and released the EDM Hip Hop crossover track "Living A Lie" featuring [[Styles P]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Victoria |title = Styles P Raps About 'Living a Lie' in Pop Singer Lachi's EDM Song [EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE]|url = https://theurbantwist.com/2017/08/24/styles-p-raps-living-lie-pop-singer-lachis-edm-song-exclusive-premiere/ |access-date = 2018-10-11|language = en-US |publisher=The Urban Twist |date=Aug 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kompaneck |first1=Chris|title = On The Culture Front:Music from the Underground, Part 13 |url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/on-the-culture-front-music-from-the-underground-part_us_59b6bd7be4b0e1d93779041d |language = en-US |work = The Huffington Post |date=Sep 11, 2017}}</ref> Lachi then collaborated with [[Markus Schulz]] on a song titled "Far" which Schulz placed on his 2018 [[Trance music]] album, ''We Are The Light''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Nick |title = Markus Schulz Announces 'We Are The Light' Confirms Release Date, Track List & Next Single |url = https://www.edmsauce.com/2018/10/06/markus-schulz-we-are-the-light-tracklist/ |language = en-US |publisher=EDM Sauce |date=Oct 6, 2018}}</ref> The following year, Lachi wrote and performed ''Go'' with [[Drum and Bass]] producer [[Maduk (musician)|Maduk]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scilippa |first1=Phil |title = MADUK RETURNS WITH NEW THREE-TRACK RELEASE |url = https://edm.com/music-releases/maduk-go-coming-down-liquicity/ |language = en-US |publisher=EDM.com |date=Mar 7, 2019}}</ref> In March 2020, Lachi received her second [[Independent Music Awards (IMAs)|Independent Music Awards]] nomination for her a cappella arrangement of the song [[Money (Cardi B song)|Money]] by [[Cardi B]]. And by October 2020, Lachi had joined the [[Recording Academy]] New York Chapter Advocacy Committee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lara |first1= Demetrious |title = Lachi: NY Music Sensation & Ardent Disability Champion |url = https://www.respectability.org/2020/03/lachi-profile-woman-disability/ |language = en-US |publisher=RespectAbility |date=Mar 19, 2020}}</ref> === Disability Advocacy=== Lachi began speaking and performing regularly at [[Disability Pride Week|Disability Pride]] events and festivals in 2017,<ref>{{cite web |title = Bands In Twon: Past Events |url = https://www.bandsintown.com/a/216093-lachi/past-events?came_from=251&utm_medium=web&utm_source=artist_page |language = en-US |publisher=BandsInTown.com}}</ref> with a focus on greater disability representation and inclusion in media,<ref>{{cite web |title = Disability Pride Virtual PA Festival Presents Lachi |url = https://disabilityarts.online/events/disability-pride-virtual-festival-presents-lachi-online/ |language = en-US |publisher=Disability Arts Online |date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> After receiving a DEI certificate from [[RespectAbility]], Lachi began advocating for disability visibility on national diversity and inclusion panels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fink |first1=Debbie |title = RespectAbility Launches National Disability Speakers Bureau: Women's Division with 11 Talented Women with Disabilities |url = https://www.respectability.org/2020/06/speakers-bureau-launch/ |language = en-US |publisher=RespectAbility |date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> She has also been working closely with an organization known as Divas with Disabilities.<ref name="abilitymagazine.com"/> One of Lachi's favorite things to do is to guest-speak or moderate a panel in front of mainstream audiences that would otherwise not be familiar with the issue of representation. She has moderated the Women in Music panel.<ref name=":0"/> In 2020, the [[New York Times]] listed Lachi as one of the "28 Ways to Learn About Disability Culture."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leiderman |first1= Deborah |title = 28 Ways to Learn About Disability Culture |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/24/arts/disability-movies-books-tv.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR1nem8R32XJg56lA7JHf4DAMH82QpVlfkAiHg__Dwcq_QmHpuhmoO7FrMA/ |language = en-US |work=New York Times |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Lachi says she believes advocacy is her calling, while music is her "bread and butter".<ref name=":0"/> In March 2021, Lachi appeared on [[Judy Heumann]]'s podcast ''The Heumann Perspective'' where she highlighted that the prefix ''dis'' can be taken positively.<ref>{{cite web |title = Lachi: A Blind and Bold Musician, "Distinguished and Disabled" |url = https://judithheumann.com/1768-2/ |language = en-US |work=The Heumann Perspective |date=March 28, 2021}}</ref> That same month, Lachi launched "The Off Best," a YouTube series chronicling her journey from low vision to no vision, highlighting activities and bucket-list items she'd always wanted to perform before losing her sight. The [[Foundation Fighting Blindness]] partnered on the first several episodes which included interviews with Youtuber [[Molly Burke]] and gospel group [[The Blind Boys of Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |title = BLIND MUSICIAN, ACTRESS AND FASHIONISTA MOTIVATES WITH NEW YOUTUBE SERIES |url = https://elucidmagazine.com/spotlight/blind-musician-actress-and-fashionista-motivates-with-new-youtube-series?fbclid=IwAR2koAheQi0-xvvWRgmF0NnvIhzsNnLe52N5zMxDf-xXiBCuIxoSBI_tfZg |language = en-US |work=Elucid Magazine |date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> ==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !| Year !| Nominated Work !| Category !| Award !| Result |- | 2020 | ''Money (A cappella)'' | [[Independent Music Award]] Best A Cappella Song | Independent Music Awards | {{nom}} |- | 2021 | ''The Bigger Plans Project'' | Award of Recognition, best Short Film on Disability Issues | IndieFest Film Awards | {{win}} |- |} ==Discography== === Albums and EP's === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Title !Date !Comments |- |''And This is My Life…'' |June 2006 (U.S.) |<ref name=":1" /> |- |''Lachi (Album)'' |July 2010 (U.S.) |Singles: "We Can Fly" |- |''Time Heals'' |March 2011 (U.S.) | |- |''Such A Fool'' |December 2011 (U.S.) | |- |''It's Our Time'' |October 2014 (U.S.) | |- |''The Boss EP'' |June 2015 (U.S.) |Singles: "Boss" |- |''The Selfish Release'' |January 2017 (U.S.) |Singles: "Selfish"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lachi – ‘The Selfish Release’|url=https://choiceradio.co.uk/lachi-the-selfish-release/|access-date=2021-08-04|language=en-GB}}</ref> |} === Singles and collaborations === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Title !Release Date !Comments |- |''Ugly Beautiful'' |2008 (U.S) |<ref name=":1" /> |- |''Rude'' ft Kendra Black and [[Snoop Dogg]] |December 2017 (U.S.) |"The Edge" album, co-write credit |- |''Living A Lie'' ft [[Styles P]] |August 2017 (U.S.) | |- |''Namaste (''with Julian Javan) |April 2018 (Worldwide) | |- |''Far (''with [[Markus Schulz|Markus Schulz)]] |October 2018 (Worldwide) |"We Are The Light" album |- |''Allegedly (''with Jumper Keellu) |October 2018 (Worldwide) | |- |''Far'' with [[Markus Schulz]] (Fisherman Festival Remix) |August 30, 2019 (Worldwide) | |- |''What I Want'' (with Julian Javan) |February 2020 (Worldwide) |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-09-12|title=Modern Griots Interview: Lachi|url=https://futuristicallyancient.com/2012/09/12/modern-griots-interview-lachi/|access-date=2021-08-04|website=Sherese Francis: Futuristically Ancient|language=en}}</ref> |- |''Tea for Two (''with Giampaolo Pasquile) |July 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Years (''with Daniel Wanrooy) |July 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Dragon (''with Yonetro) |August, 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Genius'' (Remix) (with Mezzo a Capella) |September 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Taking Control (''with Maduk) |October 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Messages'' (with Treasure Gnomes) |October 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''Bigger Plans'' (with INViDA) |October 2020 (Worldwide) | |- |''High or Low (''with Yonetro) |March 2021, (Worldwide) | |- |''DNA'' (with Fisherman) |May 2021, (Worldwide) | |} ==Publications== ===Novels=== * M. Lachi, ''The Ivory Staff, A Dark Fairy Tale of Kings and War,'' Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2019 {{ISBN|1544276605}} ==See also== *[[Mononymous persons]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.lachimusic.com/ Official Music Page] * [http://www.mlachi.com/ Official Author Page] * [https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lachi/id164072158 Lachi on iTunes] * [https://www.amazon.com/Ivory-Staff-Dark-Fairy-Kings-ebook/dp/B0157GPFGA/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 The Ivory Staff by M. Lachi on Amazon] {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lachi}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American female singer-songwriters]] [[Category:American pop pianists]] [[Category:American women pianists]] [[Category:American rock pianists]] [[Category:Feminist musicians]] [[Category:American female pop singers]] [[Category:Musicians from Baltimore]] [[Category:New York University alumni]] [[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]] [[Category:American people of Nigerian descent]] [[Category:Blind musicians]] [[Category:Singers from New York City]] [[Category:American women writers]] [[Category:Writers from Baltimore]] [[Category:American fiction writers]] [[Category:Women science fiction and fantasy writers]] [[Category:American fantasy writers]] [[Category:Igbo writers]] [[Category:Blind writers]] [[Category:Sony BMG artists]] [[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]] [[Category:Singers from Maryland]] [[Category:Novelists from New York (state)]] [[Category:Novelists from Maryland]] [[Category:21st-century American women singers]] [[Category:Nigerian female singers]] [[Category:21st-century American pianists]] [[Category:African-American female singer-songwriters]] [[Category:African-American female singers]] [[Category:African-American pianists]] [[Category:Blind actors]] [[Category:Musicians with physical disabilities]] [[Category:Artists with disabilities]] [[Category:Musicians from New York City]] [[Category:Trance singers]] [[Category:People with disabilities]] [[Category:Dance music singers]] [[Category:Disability rights activists]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:21st-century American singers]] [[Category:American singer-songwriters]] [[Category:African-American novelists]]'