From the last embers of a beach party, revellers curled up together on plastic chairs and empty beer bottles rolling across the empty dancefloor, to a hearty Sunday lunch with the aunties and bike rides through beautiful landscapes, Lala &ce’s latest video for her song, ‘Control’, is a joyful ride through the rural life of Côte d’Ivoire. Lifted from her latest EP, Sun System, the track is indicative of her hazy, sensual sound that has put this rapper at the forefront of Paris’s next generation alternative music scene.

Born Mélanie Crenshaw in Lyon among a Franco-Ivorian family, she first cut her teeth as part of the 667 collective before releasing her first solo mixtape, ‘Le son d’après’ in 2019. By the time her debut album ‘Everything Tasteful’ dopped early last year, Lala &ce had established the label &ce Recless alongside a close-knit group of genre-defying artists including Bamao Yendé, Le Diouck and Rad Cartier. And this autumn she dropped another team effort, ‘Baiser Mortel’ with producer Low Jack, which acts as a soundtrack to a performance they orchestrated at Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection described as a “modern-day dance macabre”.

Here we speak to Lala &ce about all things raw and real.

What themes do you explore on ‘Control’?

Enjoy the moment despite the pitfalls and doubts. Despite the trials and disappearances. Despite the way we left each other, look at how we ended up together. If you have lost someone, then for a moment enjoy the ones you have with you because they could be gone forever. Let yourself go to the rhythm of music and do not give in to nostalgia or fear. Because nothing is as eternal as the energy of the moment we are currently living.

What story unfolds in the accompanying video and what do you hope it conveys about Côte d’Ivoire?

I wanted the video to feel like a dream but in a very raw way. After the ‘Fallait dire non’ video which was more of a journey through Abidjan’s nightlife, I wanted to show the countryside of Côte d’Ivoire, the moments of joy with family and thoughts by yourself.

We love the way you described your music on Instagram as “nectar musique super sensations”. How would you define your sonic approach and how does it differ from all the rest?

This sentence is really the feeling I want to transmit through my music. I want people to feel warm, at ease but also reflecting on themselves and the world around them.

Can you tell us about your creative community in Paris and how it inspires you?

I hang out with a lot of inspiring people in Paris, the scene is amazing. Whether it’s in fashion, art or just the nightlife, it’s like a whirlwind of creativity. I created a record label in 2020 called &ce Recless on which Le Diouck and other up and coming artists are produced. The motto is really to offer something tasteful and different from the general mainstream artistic landscape we have in France.

What is your idea of the perfect first date, and what are you wearing?

My perfect date would always be a first date cause ain’t nothing better than a first attraction, the tension is maximal. Where we both are looking very sharp but in a casual way, no dinner either, too formal. We’d have drinks, probably kiss at some point and get home alone horny as fuck thinking about that date. I would probably wear a nice pair of Bottega boots, with pants perfectly fitted and a hoodie, all black.

What's the best advice your mother has ever given you?

My mom gives me a lot of random advices, lately she told me, “You talked about your dad in this last song, so you better talk about me soon.“

What can we expect from you next?

I don’t even know what to expect from myself. I want to surprise myself, keep sharing my vision, stepping up every time and make my people proud.