The Rundown: Paris Le Rouge
Due to us focusing on other various projects, we stepped away from our annual interview series, "The Rundown". Recognizing the significance of breaking new artists and giving them the chance to speak their mind is the reason why we have "The Rundown" and it was only right for us to bring it back. Opening the platform and giving artists the chance to use their voice, we spoke to Paris Le Rouge, a rising artist in the Houston area who's going against the grain to break barriers and stereotypes of what a Houston artist is in this day of time.
His energetic and youthful filled vibes are projected in songs such as "Red Menace" and "Moon Rocks", and he has a versatile flow that's getting nourished at this point but the potential he carries in his music has no ceiling. The expansion of his brand continues to grow and we thought he would be the perfect person to resurge the series.
We spoke to Le Rouge about the Houston scene, his influences, how he spends his time in the studio and more.
Read here.
How’s Your Modern Life?
I love my life. It's consumed by art and positivity, and I can't ask for more. I'm too blessed to be stressed.
What inspired your stage name to be Paris Le Rouge?
At the time I was going by another name, and I wanted to re-invent myself. I wanted something both prestigious and intimidating. Something that hasn't been done yet. So after brainstorming, that's what I came up with. It's French for "Paris the Red" I also chose a French name because I'm very into fashion and Paris is the center of many highly known/respected designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hermes, Balmain, the list goes on.
Where do your influences stem from?
I have various musical influences. Of course all Houston music in the early-mid 2000s and before. Now, I take influences from Kanye west as typical as that may seem. But I also take influence from groups like Seshollowaterboyz, GOOD Music, OVO Sound, all the way to Bon Jovi, Green Day, and the Gorillaz. I could go on, but that covers the bulk of it.
How do you feel about your music fitting into the new and budding Houston music scene?
I feel like it definitely stands out amongst most Houstonian artists. I can make the the expected mainstream track, but I try to be as unpredictable as possible. I want the listener to think they know what's coming, and it be far left field, but they can still fuck with it. That's the aspect I bring to the table for the city as well as the lane/genre I created for myself. Aggressive Cloud Rap.
When it comes to recording, what are some key components that you must have while doing so?
I always keep an bottle of water or an Arizona tea with me in the stu. Definitely some chips or pizza if it's gonna be a long sesh. I usually bring a couple honest critics with me so I can get some live feedback, because there's often moments where I can't choose between ideas, Maybe for an ad lib, line, cadence anything really.
Along with your unique delivery with your music, you also have a stylish approach with the way you present yourself. How important is the way you portray yourself visually just as you do sonically?
It's really just something I've always been into. Just like music it's a creative way to express myself. But besides that, image is VERY important if you want to be an artist of any sort. People will define you by your image. If a person hears you on Soundcloud and wants to peep your social media, if they don't like what they see it can 100% be a deal breaker. I'm not saying you have to look like a typical rapper either, I'm saying you need to look like a fuckin star. Something about you has to get people's attention when they see you.
If you could take someone on a trip into your closet, what would be some of your favorite pieces you would choose out of your collection?
Ok so my favorite piece right now is this denim jacket that my cousin Kennedy hand-painted a picture of Goku on. It's so FYE, it was in the "Red Menace" video if anybody wants to see. But it's special to me because my family made it for me. Then I'd show my kicks, my favs right now are my Turtle Dove Yeezy 350s, my pine green Jordan 4s from 2004 and my grey Yeezy 750 boost. All those are my grails.
What are some of your biggest moments you’ve had so far in 2016?
I'd say performing with Xavier Wulf and Chris Travis was a big one. The kids there fucked with me heavy. SXSW was another big one, opening for Maxo, Keith ape, Zaytoven and Uno tha Activist out there. And more recently working with Bird Medina on this Red Menace visual because I been following his work for a while.
What are three of your biggest goals for the rest of 2016?
Off top, 1. Is to make this next project my dopest shit yet.
2. Monetize my soundcloud page because I need that check.
3. I guess just take everything to the next level. I'm in a relationship with this game, I'm tryna marry this bitch.
"People will define you by your image. If a person hears you on soundcloud and wants to peep your social media, if they don't like what they see it can 100% be a deal breaker. I'm not saying you have to look like a typical rapper either, I'm saying you need to look like a fuckin star. Something about you has to get people's attention when they see you."
What are three things that make you strive harder as an artist?
"Seeing my family struggle.
My dreamer mindset.
And seeing or hearing art I fuck with"
What are three things that people aren’t familiar with when it comes to your artistry?
The amount of thought that goes into everything for one and I don't think people realize how much of my real life I put into my lyrics too. Dead ass, I live my raps, there's no fiction unless I state otherwise specificly. Lastly, my aesthetic is really unappreciated, but that's slowly starting to improve. More and more people get it.
How do you want to be remembered when it’s all said and done?
I want to be a household name. I'm thinking global. I want to be that guy that breaks boundaries and stereotypes. Ultimately I want spread positivity via art, creativity and music. Me and my team will change lives and shit.