“Lous, si sereine ou fais-tu juste la guerre?”

Today we interviewed Marie-Pierra Kakoma better known as Lous and The Yakuza, a strong, very strong woman despite her young age. A woman who has been able to face and overcome the adversities that life has put in front of her.

At the age of 19 she was kicked out of the house. Helped by her friends, she decides to bet everything on her dream of becoming a professional singer.
Lous, however, does not know what it means to lose heart, despite her choice is not appreciated by her parents who do not support her, the passion for music quickly turns into obsession.
At the age of 22, she signed her first contract and the rest can be said to be a well-known story.

My goal is to be a better person every day and try to reach some kind of perfection in what I do. 

In Italy as in most of the world, her debut single “Dilemme” released in mid-September 2019 literally exploded, occupying all the charts.
The song tells the story of life and its nuances, love so close to hate, joy that quickly turns into suffering.
A gem that a few months later was embellished with the remix sung and edited by two Italian artists, Mara Sattei and Tha Supreme.
The album that many were waiting for comes out in September this year, is entitled “Gore”.
A mix of Congolese rumba and Latin rhythms with modern urban beats of rap, trap, electropop and hip-hop.

The record, written and sung entirely in French, was produced by Spanish El Guincho, producer and mentor of Rosalía.
The Congolese artist naturalized Belgian accompanied us on a journey in which the French language mixes with refined urban beats.

Now, however, let’s give space to her words, we have realized for you a small interview with Lous, a gem that grew up in the streets of Belgium.

What is the main inspiration behind your new album ‘Gore’? And why did you choose this title?

I named my album “Gore” because ”Gore” is a genre of horror movies.
It is one of the subgenres. It says that that kind of way to film is so violent, brutal and bloody that it becomes absurd and funny. I think at some point my personal life was so hardcore and very difficult that it became absurd. When I see my life I’m like it’s better to laugh than cry about it. Because there is always hope. My whole experience has been very hard for a couple of years but at the same time, I had a laugh about myself. In a nice way, not to mock myself or to be negative. That’s why I chose the word “Gore”. This album is very much a testimony of my strength. 

With the release of your first track ‘Dilemme’ we all got to know your music and immediately fell in love with it. Everything has already been said about the song, it has a very deep meaning. You also worked with the Italian artists Tha Supreme and Mara Sattei, can you tell us something more about this remix?

First of all, I’m so grateful for this collaboration, Tha Supreme and Mara Sattei are amazing artists, they’ve been so sweet to me, so gentle. I’m very proud of this collaboration, they both have a special place in my heart because they are my first ever featuring. I’m also so happy I’ve had the chance to collaborate with two fantastic Italian artists because my Italian fans have been so strong and passionate from the beginning!

When thinking about Lous and the Yakuza, your iconic symbol is the first trait that comes to my mind. We often notice it on your forehead, we find it in the singles and now also on the album cover. What does it mean? And why is it so important to you?

It represents a man I called “Hands Raised to the Sky”. It’s a movement that is usually done in extreme joy and in the worst sadness. It’s pretty much who I am. Middle-ground does not exist. For a long time, I have drawn a single line on my face that symbolizes infinity. Usually, there are more drawings. I have a lot of them. I have a little notebook where I create them, but very often they already exist! 

A few months after the release of your first album the numbers are more than comforting, you have a strong following in every country not only in France or Belgium. Where do you wish all of this will lead you to? What is your biggest goal?

My goal is to gain peace of mind. And to touch as many people as possible: having fun, being happy doing music, making all the people happy… My goal is to be a better person every day and try to reach some kind of perfection in what I do. 

Photo credits: Manuel Obadia Wills – Lee Wei Swee