Stephanie Luckett is approached regularly by people who are still riding to work and cleaning their homes to her R&B/Soul album, "Life vs Love," released in 2020, under her stage name, Stefunie. "Any Place" featuring Yuric Primer and written by Comedienne Rita Brent, the live recording of "Contagious", and "Intoxicated" are some of the applauded favorites on the soulful nine-song mixture about romance and complicated relationships.

"The album did really well, and it got a lot of recognition, but there's just something about Southern Soul," said Luckett, about the slightly different genre direction for her next album, which she hopes to release in March 2026. "I just want to make sure that it's done right and it's true to me."

Discovering Southern Soul

The Grenada native has more than dabbled with displaying her Southern Soul side. She has several singles, including "She'll Never Be Me", "I Got That Good Good", and "Borrowed Time". But now she's ready to put together a collection of songs that captivates an audience with a vibe that only she can, from an artist who has experienced deep heartache and rebirth. Luckett is no stranger to starting over and diving into new music, places, and experiences.

From Army Brat to Island Girl

Being an Army brat, Luckett attended new schools and made new friends frequently. However, when her father was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, during her middle school years, she finally felt at home. She blended seamlessly into the predominantly Samoan Polynesian community. So much so, they called her "Afakasi," which refers to someone of mixed Polynesian descent, meaning "half of one" in the Samoan culture.

Singing for the Stars in Hawaii

Luckett, who is currently on tour with Lenny Williams, was known as "the Black girl on the island who could sing." Harmonizing in Hawaii as an adolescent had major perks. Many celebrity performers visit the state's capital and largest city. They often need backup singers and vocal and stage support. It allowed Luckett to sing for Mariah Carey, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Faith Evans, and Yolanda Adams, among others.

Finding Her Voice Again in Mississippi

When her family's travels brought her back to Mississippi, she began a new path, one of marriage and motherhood. The matrimonial union didn't end as planned. It took years, but she found herself again. First, singing backup for gospel artists, and eventually for Calvin Richardson. In her musical circles, which continue to nestle around Jackson and nationally, she was constantly asked the same question – 'Why would you sing backup for anyone else?'

"People would always ask me, even when I was younger," said Luckett of her support of great musicians and entertainers such as Brent, Dexter Allen, and Donovan Scott. "I would tell them when it's time for me to do my own thing, God will make the way, and he will make it plain. And he's made the way each and every time. Sir Charles sent me a text message one day out of the blue, and he said God is telling me to tell you to step out on faith. So I did."