Nush’s Picks: Louis D. Prince

Written and all photos taken by Anusha

20th June 2024

Hard and Polite: Louis D. Prince Stays Scorching the Mic

New talents are constantly emerging in the music scene, each bringing a fresh perspective and innovative approach. However, even after years of hard work, some of these artists still do not receive the recognition they deserve. This is the first edition of ‘Nush’s Picks’ which aims to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming artists that I think deserve more appreciation for their music. One such talent is Louis D. Prince (@louis_d_prince) from Birmingham, who has been making music since 2017 but has recently been taking over venues across Birmingham with his passionate performances. With a distinctive style and compelling vision, Louis is an artist to watch. In this article, we dive into his background, artistic journey, and what makes his work so captivating.

Before becoming a solo artist, Louis was one part of a duo called ‘The Worst Guys’ an alternative Hip Hop duo from the West Midlands. Louis' style of strong rap lyrics and innovative beats from this duo carried through to his solo music. In 2022, Louis released his first solo single on Spotify, ‘Is He Real’ which uses thought-provoking lyrics over a beat that fuses drill and trap together. Louis has only two songs out on Spotify and one on SoundCloud but features a few freestyles on his Instagram, which are shot in high production. Some of these tracks are my favourites of his music, such as ‘Still Tippin’ (Notts Freestyle)’. ‘Natural Causes’ is the most recent song that Louis has released, with a short visualiser on YouTube. This song is one of Louis's most popular tracks in his discography, and the visuals for this short film are of exceptional quality. This song exhibits the clever lyricism that Louis has to offer. The thought that always comes to my mind when I hear him rap is: how is he able to have such a controlled flow with so much energy and power behind it?

Raised in Birmingham with Jamaican heritage, Louis has always had a passion for art and creativity. He wanted to create something special for himself and those around him. In his early years, reggae and soul music were what Louis grew up on. As he got older, Louis started to notice and connect more with Hip Hop, which was often played by his cousins and older brother. It soon became obvious to Louis that he felt a desire to express his own unique experiences in a written format that helped him explain and process life through his eyes, aiding him to have a holistic view of the world. In Louis’ head, life plays out like a music video and there is a soundtrack behind every scene, so it only made sense for Louis to start making music.

Artists like 2Pac, Kanye West, and 50 Cent resonated with Louis in his younger years as he felt inspired by their music. Home to the UK, artists such as Ghetts and Kano were a big influence on how he wanted his music to be: clear and definitive in their lyrics. Another influential musician was Kendrick Lamar, more specifically for the depth and range of topics that he could rap about and his exploration of vocal tones and presence. When listening to Louis’ music, it is clear that this is where he draws his inspirations from, as the themes of his music often explore identity and the come-up lifestyle with the use of creative wordplay.

A substantial part of Louis’ journey was shared with Andrew (@lordandrew_), a multifaceted creative that has produced a few of Louis’ tracks and played a large role in the production for the ‘Natural Causes’ short visual. Especially during his early days, Louis feels without Andrew by his side, he would not have been able to create projects that completely matched his vision.

Another musical lane that Louis dove into was co-founding >THEM (more than them) which was a collective of artists and creatives that were also based in the West Midlands, giving him a strong foundation in the music industry. Along with previous members of >THEM, Louis performed at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and at MADE Festival in 2023, both held in Birmingham. The community in Birmingham has recognised his talent and is giving him the well-deserved platforms to showcase this. It is evident that Louis and his team understand what it takes to get yourself out there as an artist, which undoubtedly has helped to establish himself in the local Birmingham scene.

Having the chance to talk to Louis at Neighbourhd’s (@neighbourhdbrum) monthly open jam, he expressed his desire for people to see him perform and have a good time. He is very community-driven and believes that if those who had not previously heard of him enjoy themselves during his performance, they will keep coming back for more. Watching him perform, it was clear that this was his aim. He had great stage presence, exuded confidence, and actively involved the crowd. Louis's deep passion for music is clear through the energy he brings to his songs and performances. The combination of these elements creates a powerful narrative that resonates with audiences, making his performance feel immersive, as if you are with him rather than just watching him.

Looking ahead, Louis plans to continue performing where he can, with an upcoming performance at Mama Roux’s (Digbeth, B9) new weekly event: ‘Mama’s House Party’. This creates a space for Louis to continue pushing boundaries and showcase his evolving style and passion for his craft. Louis sees his places in music as a journey and just wants to enjoy the process. Whilst knowing it would be amazing to make money and do what he loves for a living, he understands how tough this industry can be and therefore lives within his passion as much as he can. He sees the events like Mama Roux Fridays as a way to enjoy and showcase his skills while giving others an opportunity, whether that be inspiring them to get involved or for the audience to enjoy what they are listening to. If he can sustain a lifestyle whilst helping others, Louis sees this as the ideal goal.

I personally look forward to more music from Louis D. Prince, as his sound is something I really vibe with. I think the type of beat that he raps over is different from some of the mainstream rap artists coming out of the UK. These beats have a monumental feel and dramatic intensity that get you hyped when listening, which is why I think when Louis performs, there is such a dynamic energy. If you want to hear ingenious lyrics and a seamless flow, which promises to captivate and inspire, then keep an eye out for his upcoming projects—you won’t want to miss what Louis D. Prince creates next.