Music

Meet the soul singer whom Prince has crowned a star

A couple of songs into Lianne La Havas’ sold-out show at Bowery Ballroom earlier this month, there was a small commotion at the back of the venue as Prince casually strolled in.

Although concertgoers were startled at the sight of the Purple One rocking out while enjoying a plate of french fries on the balcony, it wasn’t completely out of left field. La Havas has been a part of the Prince inner circle for some time.

Lianne La HavasGetty Images

A fan of the Brit’s 2012 debut album, “Is Your Love Big Enough?” (which hit the top 10 in the UK), Prince has covered her song “Lost & Found” live and even played an acoustic set in La Havas’ London living room to announce his 2014 “Hit and Run” tour of the UK. Since then she has also been invited to perform with him, most notably last year on “Saturday Night Live.”

“That was an amazing experience,” La Havas tells The Post. She keeps pretty tight-lipped when asked about her little friend, but the 25-year-old can’t help herself when talking about the thrill of performing alongside Prince. “You do feel he’s something else other than a human being when he’s onstage.”

There are no romantic leanings — La Havas is dating studio engineer Ben Baptie — but it’s not hard to understand why the Minnesotan legend is so taken with the soulful La Havas. Her new album, “Blood” (out Friday), melds obvious soul leanings with touches of folk, jazz and even hard rock in a way that’s seamless.

“At school, I loved bands like Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers,” she says. “I dressed as what you might call a ‘grunger’! I had the low jeans with ripped knees, a chain on my belt and fat [sneakers]. Girls used to say, ‘Why do you dress like that but also listen to Justin Timberlake?!’ I don’t want any boundaries like that in the music I play.”