Photography © Samuel Nogues
Photography © Samuel Nogues
"The album I'm working on will be released in 2022, with different vibes."
"The album I'm working on
will be released in 2022,
with different vibes."
If you like French Urban Pop, you must know Ya Levis. Famous for his hits such as "Katchua", "Mbangu Te", or "Aïcha", he succeeded in seducing his audience thanks to his incredible talent. Originally from Kinshasa, Ya Levis brought a tiny touch of his native Congo when he arrived in France as a young man and could sublimate it in his songs. The man who has decided to put Lingala in the spotlight in all his songs is here with us today to talk about his musical journey and the importance he gives to his family.
If he's proud to share his family stories in his songs, he certainly doesn't forget his audience, to whom he commits his heart and soul when he performs on stage.
For A Rap & A Cup Of Tea, Ya Levis unveils everything that makes him firm in his daily life and musical inspirations. Affectionate, sincere and unabashed, this hit-maker is truly an artist to listen to in full measure!
How would you describe your music to an English-speaking audience interested in getting to know you?
I would say that my music would definitely be listed as love songs. I often produce love songs to soothe people's hearts.
I heard you come from a musical family too...
That's right! (laughs) My father was a singer; my mother sang in a Catholic church. I have brothers and sisters who are also singers. Others have dancing skills... You can say that we're a musical family.
Having been immersed in music all your life, did you always know you were destined for this path?
When I was younger, I spent much time with my father in recording studios, rehearsing for concerts, etc. My father also allowed me to pick up the microphone in my early years; he shaped me. It was only natural that I would end up a musician too. I grew up with it all my life. I did everything there is to do with music, you know? I've always been around music. I fell in love with it.
We have known you since 2015, but it's only in 2018 that your career took a significant jump with the title "Katcha". How did you handle this milestone in your career?
Honestly, it was imposing. It was a big surprise because I didn't expect it. In music, you never know when it is going to happen. This world is full of surprises. That's when I realised you must be patient in the music industry. You need to persevere and work hard because it can take off at any time. You must be ready. I really think that my career started at the right time.
Why this particular time?
Looking back on what happened after that, I realise how lucky I was. I was able to do so much for my mom... She was someone who didn't necessarily want me to become a musician because she knew the music industry and its uncertainties. After this track's success, I showed her that I'll always strive to succeed no matter what obstacles come my way. I invited her to Kinshasa for the first time and proved many things to her. Knowing that she's no longer around today, I tell myself that things happened for me at the right time. As I say every time, God does things well.
Actually, I wanted to talk about your track "Libala". Apparently, it's a very special song for you because it tells the story of your parents...
Yes, that's precisely it. I'm kind of going through the story of my parents. How they met, etc. The lyrics contain words that my father used to say to my mother. It was essential for me to do that. To show how important marriage is. Getting married before God is not something to be taken lightly. My parents didn't have the chance to get married because my father died two months before their wedding... I had a long discussion with my mother about this and their story. Like all mothers, she opened my eyes to marriage and many other things, so I needed to pay tribute to them through this song.
Are there other songs in your discography that have a particular meaning for you, like this one?
For the moment, no... Actually, real-life experiences inspired some songs, and others are simply based on a theme. For example, "Cinq ans après" is a real-life experience as well as "Chocolat"... (laughs)
The first time you wrote songs like "Chocolat", "Nakati", or "Lokesha", where you talked about carnal desire, were you a bit stuffy, or did you dive in without thinking about it?
To be honest, I don't ask myself any questions. Once I have an idea in mind, I go for it. As a matter of fact, in music, you don't have to ask yourself 10,000 questions. I'm a pretty big perfectionist, but sometimes you don't have to overthink, you know? I don't care what people think because it's still music, and nothing forbids us to talk about "it" or "rough" songs if you have to name them. (laughs) Besides, I know that this kind of song speaks a lot to people. Usually, this kind of music can be found in the US, but not in France.
"My favourite moment is when I'm on stage
and I interact with the audience, it's just insane!"
"My favourite moment is when
I'm on stage and I interact with
the audience, it's just insane!"
How would you explain that?
I don't know. We're not open-minded enough. More and more, I notice that my music does much better elsewhere than in France. Then, I think that with time, things can change.
Is it hard for you to write a love song?
No, not anymore. I know there was a time when I was more reserved, but that's in the past. On my last few songs, I also worked with my A.D. [artistic director], Ralflow, who helped me reach a more mature, different songwriting. I'm always looking for the words that you don't usually hear. It's essential to meet with writers or people with a gift for writing who can take you in new artistic directions. It makes your songs even more enjoyable.
You're constantly pushing yourself out of your comfort zone...
That's it, exactly. All the time. The album I'm working on right now, which will be released in 2022, you'll see anyway, you'll experience a different vibe, it's very sought after. Musically speaking, I ventured on many things. I've tried new things that I'm not used to doing, you know? I brought a little touch of Ya Levis into every musical style.
I saw in an interview that you said it was essential for you to speak Lingala in your music. Can you tell me about the importance of this for you?
Ever since I was young, I have thought, "Why don't we put Lingala in different styles of music?" Because it's a beautiful language, you know? For me, it's the most attractive African language. At the time, we didn't dare to put Lingala everywhere. Even I was afraid that people wouldn't like it. But my older brother, a rapper, pushed me in that direction, and I managed to break through. Today, people are vibing with music. It's kind of a credit to my country.
Is there a feat that you have always dreamed of doing?
I would say King Kester without hesitation. He's a significant figure in Congolese music. I grew up with his music, my father also knew him, and I would have loved to do a song with him. He brought the keyboard to Rumba. At the time, there were specific rules, we were not allowed to play the keyboard or many other instruments. Basically, Rumba was just vocals, a guitar and a quiet rhythm. Today, things have changed, thanks to artists like him. It comes back to what I said: taking risks is sometimes good. Trying new things to develop the music of our country, the language, etc.
Your feat with the Franglish "Pour Moi" was a real success for me. Did you expect this song to have such an outstanding success?
Not at all. I'm not the kind of person who says to himself, "Let's do it like this so that it gets played on the radio". The truth is that Franglish and I met in the studio, and he told me that he had an idea in mind and made me listen to a track that I was actually listening to at the time. That's the magic of music, we both had the same view of what we wanted to create together. This feature stemmed from a real connection. Even on stage during his concert at the Trianon in Paris, we had great chemistry when we played this song. It was incredible; I was even surprised that the audience knew the lyrics by heart; it was wild!
Do you like being on stage?
Absolutely crazy about that feeling! My favourite moment is when I am on stage and interacting with the audience; it's wild. It's a dream. You really have to live it to understand that feeling. To see that you have an audience that knows your songs by heart is just incredible, you know? It's like they say: We're here for you, we support you". Sometimes, people travel a long way just to see you sing for 30 minutes. It would help to remember that you are not entitled to make a mistake. That's why I give 100%, whether it's a showcase or a concert.
I know you've already been to London in concert...
I was here 2 years ago; it was a huge success last time! We were sold out in 3 days, it's wild! We're coming back in January, too... Hope to see you there!
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