Laurnea

Multidisciplinary visionary Laurnea Yue, a globally respected recording artist, vegan chef, and creative director, has launched a powerful series of culinary, artistic, and wellness initiatives in Cahuita, Costa Rica.Blending music, food, storytelling, and ancestral healing practices, her work centers Black wellness, creativity, and cultural exchange through immersive programming and media.Laurnea started her career in New York on Broadway straight out of high school, followed up with one of the starring roles in the National and International touring company of “Ain't Misbehavin”.Before her debut in 1997 and solo recording project on a major label, Laurnea was a member of three groups in the 1990s. Bobby McFerrin’s a acapella group VOICESTRA, the British Group Loose Ends, and later a member of the Grammy-winning group ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT in the mid-1990sShe produced and wrote several songs on each project. She joined the R&B industry in 1997 with the release of her debut album, Betta Listen, which featured production by Omar, Raphael Saadiq, and Jon Jon Robinson.After four years of working with Sony, Laurnea left to form her own label, Era Sound 1 Records.Laurnea released several albums on her own label. In 2000, “Laurnea II” was released in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia.The album featured well-known producers Jon B, Craig Love, and Dwayne Wiggins. Following up on this release, Laurnea released “New Territory.” This album, too, was released exclusively overseas.In 2004, Laurnea released "I Remember " in Japan, produced by India Arie and Billy Odum. She then returned to the United States with the album “The Collection,” which was actually a compilation of four songs from each of her past four CDs.Laurnea worked with India Arie on her first 4 CDs and wrote for film and television, including American Idol. She also collaborated with Rachelle Farrell, co-writing five songs.She recorded background vocals on a Rachelle Farrell project with Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Shanice Wilson, Ledisi, and N'Dambi.Laurnea has completed her sixth CD, titled “UNIVERSAL LOVE,” and is working on releasing a house and Afrobeat project with producers from several different musical countries.She is currently working in Costa Rica with Caribbean beats and musicians.