100% Louis Culture: the UK rapper with a taste for experimental beats

Louis Culture’s just had his morning coffee, and he’s buzzing. ​“I’m on the Nescafé instant stuff, got it from Sainsbury’s,” he says over Zoom. ​“Sorry, I’m doing way too much.” It’s not just the caffeine that’s pumping him up, either: the 24-year-old is fresh off the back of dropping his new single, Grime, a soulful, temperature-rising song which tracks the evolution of a fulfilling romantic relationship.

Over the last few years, the South Londoner has established himself as a distinctive artist in the landscape of alternative UK rap, incorporating elements of hip-hop, leftfield electronica, garage and house music into his work. He’s been part of music collective Elevation Meditation – alongside the likes of rapper Lord Apex, DJ-producer P‑rallel and the increasingly punk-leaning shapeshifter Finn Foxell – since they were at school. Their community is something Louis describes as ​“vital” and ​“a blessing”.

In 2020, he released his critically acclaimed debut project, the seven-tracker Smile Soundsystem, which was more about exploring a fresh sonic palette than packing songs with particularly emotional lyricism. ​“I just appreciate people giving me their time,” he says. ​“That’s massive, them wanting to listen and being open to whatever I put out.” Louis credits the Bone Soda crew, who had him open up for a slowthai release party in 2017, and poet James Massiah, who booked him to play a Boiler Room set the following year, as key figures in his come-up.

Louis was planning to release an ​“experimental” album next, until P‑rallel suggested he give it a bit of breathing space. ​“I put it on the backburner. I heard [P‑rallel] when he said I should put something else out in front of it,” Louis explains. ​“I felt like I needed to drop a project that was more autobiographical, that filled in the gaps of where I come from, where I grew up, what’s on my mind, what I care about.”

So instead, we’re getting the 10-track EP, When Life Presents Obstacle. Filled with darker source material, a track that stand-outs is Bezel, produced by Max Frith. Over a grisly bassline, it sees him tackle themes of financial hardship and government failure, while acknowledging the role of suffering in shaping him into the man and musician he is today – all of which form the poignant backbone of When Life…

“I grew up listening to King Krule and Isaiah Rashad,” Louis continues, ​“to them talking about darkness and depression. I want people to take this project and let it be an anchor in their life, hence the title. I’m not perfect or anything, but I wanted this record to be a guide that offers reassurance.”

Ahead of the EP’s release (it’s out on 25^th November via Different Recordings), get your 100% fill on Louis Culture below.

10% Where were you born, where were you raised and where are you now based?

Battersea, Battersea and Battersea, in South London.

20% What kinds of emotions and experiences influence your work?

I draw directly from the things that I’ve been through, and I try to speak for voices who aren’t heard, like people I grew up with, family members. There’s a responsibility to tell their stories.

30% If you were cooking to impress someone, what would you make?

I could cook a simple salmon, kale and rice combo… Or I could make a pad thai, but I’m still finding my feet in terms of making the perfect one. The first option feels a bit safe, though.

40% What’s a piece of advice that changed your life?

Just do it!

50% What’s a bad habit you wish you could kick?

Overthinking.

60% Love, like, hate?

I love life, I like rain and I hate stubbing my toe.

70% What do you love about rain?

I think it’s refreshing and it’s realistic. It’s not always nice being drenched, but it is realistic.

80% How did you celebrate your last birthday?

I went to a spa, then Banana Tree with my friends to have a nice pad thai [Louis really likes pad thai]. When I left the spa I was like, yo, I’m still fucking stressed out! I spent the whole morning trying to relax and shit. I should have gone another day. I stepped straight back into the stress.

90% Why were you so stressed on your birthday?

I’m always stressed. I might have just picked up my phone straight afterwards. The woman at the spa was trying to get a knot out of my shoulder and it just wouldn’t go. She should have just elbow-dropped me.

100% If you could go back in time to watch an iconic music act perform, who would it be?

Michael Jackson or Fela Kuti.