Belgian-Congolese musicians Lous and the Yakuza, part of the Days Off Festival schedule at the Cité de la Musique, lit the stage on fire while donning custom Louis Vuitton clothing. After her fantastic performance, Numéro spoke with the singer, who had a thousand lives and asked her a few questions.
The 27-year-old Belgian-Congolese singer Lous and the Yakuza is recognized as a fashion icon despite her high-profile roles as a guest model at fashion shows, such as the Louis Vuitton pre-fall 2023 show that was unveiled on Jamsu Bridge in Seoul in April 2023. On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Madonna’s favorite artist, together with her “Yakuza,” or her musicians and the crews that accompany her, performed a series of features at the Cité de la Musique, sharing the stage with two other well-known francophone rap artists.
After collaborating with Belgian rapper Damso on the eerie track Lubie, she asked Dinos to offer a poignant rendition of Future Nostalgia. The performer of the highly regarded record Hiver à Paris (2022) first got the audience moving before asking them to appreciate Lous and the Yakuza’s gorgeous on-stage attire. The definitive evidence was that the young lady had a regal bearing and sparkled that evening in her Louis Vuitton ensemble.
Shortly after her brilliant and powerful second album, Iota (2022), was released, the Belgian-Congolese singer is currently on tour, bringing her emotional, upbeat pop-soul-trap music to several festivals and concert halls. Lous and the Yakuza requested Louis Vuitton, whose muse she has been since 2020, to create stage costumes for her tour that drew inspiration from her love of Japanese culture. Nothing on earth has interested me more than comics, save for music, the artist stated in an October 2022 interview with Numéro. There must be 3,000 of them in my house.
Last Tuesday at 9 p.m., the dynamic performer lit the stage on fire with a passionate performance of her song La Money. Her outfit, the outcome of her cooperation with the Louis Vuitton workshops, consisted of a reimagined three-piece mini suit with an orange leather bra and a white poplin shirt featuring wide sleeves and a pointed collar reminiscent of the 1970s. The creative director of Louis Vuitton for women, Nicolas Ghesquière, incorporated a few references to his previous collections into that ensemble, such as using Japanese gabardine. This house invention was made public following his debut presentation for the brand in 2014.
Lous and the Yakuza: On stage, orange is a vivid hue. Combining materials, textures, and asymmetrical design provides a complex visual appeal. I enjoy elegance with a hint of punk. This style perfectly captures my desired stage persona since Nicolas Ghesquière is intimately acquainted with me.
How did the stage look that you and Louis Vuitton came up with? What sources of inspiration did you draw from?
I created numerous mood boards with my creative team. Our idea came from manga culture and Japanese fashion. After we showed them all to Nicolas and the Louis Vuitton studios, they returned with more than fifty drawings! I laughed, wanting them all! We selected various colors and styles to ensure that the ensemble was appropriate enough to dance on stage.
Is performing at the Paris Cité de la Musique different from other music halls?
This performance space is incredibly rich in culture and history. It is humbling to get the chance to perform in a location that is so significant to the nation. Tonight’s music was excellent, and the vibe was contagious.
What are the primary distinctions you see between Gore and Iota, your two albums? Is there a change in the way you compose songs?
I wanted to use Gore as a platform to speak out against the injustice and suffering that others and I experienced in this world. I had the opportunity to tell a tale for the first time, and I wanted it to come from events that evoked strong feelings. IoTa was less intense than its predecessor because the subjects covered were lighter. It was more concerned with the emotions you could experience—both happy and unhappy—when you’re in love. My music production approach constantly changes as I search for fresh inspiration and collaborators.
What new projects are you working on now, after the success of your second album, Iota, in 2022?
I’m excited about what’s about to happen. I’ve given myself some time to focus on various aspects of myself. I do things with my life that I have never really been able to do before: I paint, write, create manga, and travel. Finding new people and cultures… That will motivate me to return to the recording studio this autumn and write new music. I’m discovering new creative avenues via these experiences and am excited to see how they’ll influence my music!
Conclusion
- Lous and the Yakuza, a Belgian-Congolese singer, and her musicians performed at the Days Off Festival at the Cité de la Musique, donning custom Louis Vuitton clothing.
- The stage attire, a collaboration with Louis Vuitton, drew inspiration from Japanese culture and manga, featuring a reimagined three-piece mini suit with an orange leather bra and a white poplin shirt.
- The outfit, designed by Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, showcased a vibrant and elegant style with a hint of punk, capturing the desired stage persona of Lous and the Yakuza.
- Lous and the Yakuza discussed the inspiration behind the collaboration, the significance of performing at the Paris Cité de la Musique, and her evolving music production approach after the success of her second album, “Iota,” in 2022.
