Lous and the Yakuza, the stage name of Brussels-based, Belgian-Congolese musician Marie Pierra-Kakoma, creates music that blends a variety of different styles. Pierra-Kakoma sings in French with equal parts age-old poise and modern swagger on her first three singles, which include snappy, minimalistic R&B (‘Dilemme’), slinky, melodic trap (‘Tout est gore’), and nuanced, introspective pop (‘Solo’).
Across these three singles, In their assuredness, Pierra-Kakoma’s songs feel almost regal — melodic, plaintive delivery that skillfully sits atop storied, almost-classical sonics. Her songs are beautiful and intricate, fusing trap, pop, and something a little more elegant.
Pierra-Kakoma’s confidence comes most alive when she seamlessly blends various global styles into a single song, which she is able to do thanks to having experienced so many cultures growing up.
Born in the Congo, Pierra-Kakoma grew up between Rwanda and Congo before ultimately moving to Belgium to pursue music. The soulstress came up with her artist name in two parts. First, Lous is ‘Soul’ backwards and, as Kakoma describes it, her music is ‘the language of her soul’. Second, Yakuza stands for the producers, musicians, managers, and everyone involved in helping transfer her music from notebook idea to actualized reality. Yakuza also means gangster or mafia in Japanese (a culture Kakoma admits to being fascinated by).
Pierra-Kakoma, who is now in her mid-twenties, sings primarily in French but also incorporates English and Kinyarwanda, a language spoken in the Congo and Rwanda. Rather than placing them on purpose, Pierra-Kakoma didn’t notice the brief linguistic detours until months after mixing her upcoming debut album, Gore. ‘To be honest, it was so natural to me,’ she explained to Spotify’s For the Record. ‘I had inserted words in different languages without being conscious of it.’
One of our favourite songs by Lous and The Yakuza is ‘Solo’. Whether or not you speak French, the sonification of silk achieved in the precious melodies weaved in throughout the song will surely have you hooked. You can check out the song below:
We’re glad we came across her music and can say with absolute certainty that Lous and The Yakuza is definitely an artist to watch. You can keep up with Lous and The Yakuza on Instagram at @lousandtheyakuza, Twitter at @lousandtheyakz, and on her official website at lousandtheyakuza.com.
