Louis Culture is the compelling, genre-bending artist whose music you didn’t know you needed. The 24-year-old rapper, producer and DJ explores the rich tapestry of black British music – house, UK garage, hip-hop and more – with effortless lyrical delivery for an altogether different experience, a soundtrack for the lives of listeners. Still early in his career, he has made his name known in London’s burgeoning underground scene through a number of releases. This includes 2016 debut single “Don’t F Up Louis”, 2017’s “Culture For 17,” 2018’s “Local” and 2020’s “Part 2,” garnering millions of plays across all streaming platforms and support from the likes of Complex, TRENCH, NTS, Boiler Room and i-D.
Since dropping “Today”, his first song as Louis Culture in 2016, nothing has been the same for the youngster. London forms the colourful backdrop for his commentary as he traverses through topics such as identity, relationships, surviving the ends and having a good time. Music from voices located at the periphery of the UK capital, to soundtrack the summer nights, the winter mornings and everything in between. Louis’ efforts have earned him plaudits from critics and fellow artists alike, including opening up for slowthai for the release of his first EP slowitdownn in 2017 and headlining Boiler Room’s first ever Low Heat event in 2018. His upward mobility would surge when his 2020 anthem “Being Me” was selected by legendary fashion house Louis Vuitton to soundtrack its 2021 summer campaign and he has modelled for brands such as Nike, Bianca Saunders and A-COLD-WALL.
After releasing his debut project, Smile Soundsystem, in 2020, a opus in which his musical philosophy was laid bare via a kaleidoscope of sounds steeped in history - from breakbeat to UK garage - Louis is now unlocking a new musical stage, kicking off with the jumpy “7AM,” and culminating in new project When Life Presents Obstacle. Here, Louis is hardening his stance to reflect the anguish his life has brought him. “I think a common theme in my music is optimism, positivity and good energy,” he says. “But all of that comes from a place of darkness. It comes from questioning how you manoeuvre through the ends, success, depression, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, being broke. This project touches on all of that. While I was making [When Life Presents Obstacle], life was presenting even more obstacles and now, the project has so much more meaning. It's taken so much to get here.”
With a refined mentality and newfound purpose, Louis’ rise up the ranks of the UK’s music scene is assured, while his music serves as inspiration for those who see themselves in him, giving him the utmost contentment. “One of my missions now is to just help people,” he says. “Give them the feeling that Isaiah Rashad and King Krule gave me - those alternative angles to things you’ve already heard about. Above all else, I want people listening to my music to feel seen.”