# Lor (musician)

Laetitia Laure Nsoutou, better known as her stage name Lor is a Cameroonian rapper, singer-songwriter, actress, animator, and multi-instrumentist and activist. Known for her introspective and honest lyrics, she explores themes of identity, mental health, empowerment, and social issues among others.

## Career
### 2011 – 2016

Lor began her professional career in 2011, when she joined "Troupe Rue 1113" and performed as actress, dancer, singer and songwriter for the first musical film ever produced in Cameroon, "Rendez-vous avec les morts", written by Elena Serna. Until 2016, she adopted the moniker "Laelaure" and collaborated with various artists like Festus and Willis Beats. She also collaborated with artist Worlasi on his song "No Matter", and directed/co-produced his animated music video "Cartoon", which is considered one of the coolest music videos from Africa.

### 2016 – New Bell Music

Lor joined New Bell Music as a recording artist in 2016, and was mentored by the rapper and producer Jovi. As an introduction, she is featured on Pascal's debut single "Manka’a Remix". The video directed by Tatapong Beyala was well received. She also collaborated in his album Work Dey 3 on the title "I No Kam Fine" and later appeared on the song "ICI" by Tata the following year. Although an announcement was made on her working on her EP, she will not release any solo project under New Bell Music, which will trigger interrogations about her being "neglected" under the label.

### 2018 – Independent

In June 2018, Lor released a Freestyle video as a now independent artist. Produced by Method J and directed by Tatapong Beyala, the video was featured on the Daymolition platform. In November 2018, she released her debut official single "Tourne pas le dos" which is a song with afro pop sonorities produced by Sango Edi and directed by Walter Enow which received positive reviews. In 2019, she collaborated with AFRIMA nominated artist WAZIH on the title "Fighter" produced by Method J Beats, from his Extended Play Anotic and in December 2019, she releases her sophomore single, "On Connait" an afro pop song produced by Sangtum which was well received by the public. As part of the Street Corner collective, she performed at La Case des Arts and the Street Corner and l'Institut Français du Cameroun.

### 2020 – Dawn the EP

In February 2020, Lor releases the music video "Stop/Rewind", directed by Tatapong Beyala and executively produced by the Gurl Boss Production. The song, produced by Method J is aimed to be the leading single of her first studio project Dawn, an Extended play of 7 tracks. The video production process was featured on a Reuters documentary. The Project is released in July 2020 and is produced by Method J Beats, Elisha Kay and Tony Ef, with guest appearances by WAZIH on the song "Broken" and by Empawa 2020 Laureate, rapper Yung Meagan on the track "Balek". Dawn, is according to Samuel Lacmene, founder of Stillac, "an album that exudes freshness", where she "managed to send strong messages, but above all to transmit emotions through her particular vocal timbre".

### 2024 – Thoughts at 3

In March 2024, she released Thoughts at 3, an Extended play that delves into themes of mental health, The project blends rap and melodic elements, offering a candid exploration of mental health, self-reflection, and personal growth. It addresses themes such as emotional struggles and societal expectations, particularly in the context of African culture, where mental health discussions are often limited. Femme, the lead single, was released earlier in 2024, gaining attention for its raw portrayal of the challenges faced by women. The EP features contributions from producers like Bskute, Daniel Pappoe, HK Sensei, and others, and blends Afrobeat, rap, and soul influences. Thoughts at 3 provides listeners with a heartfelt expression of Lor’s experiences and a deeper conversation about mental health.

## Activism

Lor is also an activist and a Dalai Lama Fellow. She engages in various social causes, with a focus on mental health awareness, gender equality, and women's empowerment. Through her involvement with the Fellowship supported by the Dalai Lama, she seeks to promote values of compassion and social change. Lor's activism complements her artistic work, allowing her to address these issues and contribute to important conversations.

## Other affiliations

Lor participated in an immersive workshop for the creation of a performance and a movement was born: “Hopeload”. This initiative brought together a collective of young, resilient creatives aimed at promoting progress in Cameroon and beyond. The workshop was organized by the Centre des Créateurs de Mode du Cameroun (CCMC) and the Goethe Institute Kamerun, fostering collaboration and artistic development among emerging talents.
She also participated in the Black Girls Glow Sound Residency in 2022, collaborating with other fellows to create the album Tapestry. The project reflects the collective efforts of artists, particularly Black women, and explores themes of resilience, empowerment, and self-discovery.
In 2024, she joins The Massive Tribe band as a lead vocalist alongside rapper and singer songwriter Feli Nuna. The band is founded by musician Beda Ehrensperger. They release their debut single "Outerstellar" in November 2024, quickly followed by The Reggae fusion song "Don't Ever Give Up" and song "Hurt You Back".

## Live Performances

Lor is a live music performer with experience on various stages worldwide. She has performed in different countries, bringing a blend of music and personal storytelling to her shows. Her live performances span both intimate and larger venues, highlighting her versatility and dedication to sharing her music with audiences. She utilizes a looper and guitar in her live performances, creating a dynamic sound by layering her music in real-time. She has performed on stages in countries such as France and Germany, showcasing her ability to incorporate live looping into her performances. Her live shows highlight her versatility and musical approach, contributing to her growing presence as a live artist.

### Headlining Performances

* Dawn Live Show, 2020, Yaounde, Cameroon
* Salon International des Voix de Femmes, Escale Bantoo 2022, Yaounde, Cameroon
* Olaf’Lor Live Performance with Mark Mulholland, 2024, La Charité-sur-Loire ,France
* Sofar Sounds Accra Live Performance, 2023, Accra, Ghana
* Lor Live Showcase. 2024, Berlin, Germany
* ARTliners Berlin Music Session. 2024, Berlin, Germany
* Street Corner Collective “A l’arrache” Apéro Concert, 2021, Institut Francais Yaounde, Cameroon

## Discography
### Singles

* "Holdin On" (2015)
* "Tourne pas le dos" (2018)
* "On connaît" (2019)
* "Stop/Rewind" (2020)
* "Come" (2022)
* "Femme"(2024)
* "Ca va"(2024)

### Extended plays

* Dawn (2020)
* Thoughts at 3 (2024)

### Guest appearances

| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
| "No Matter" | 2016 | [[Worlasi | The Uncut |
| "Manka'a Remix" | 2016 | Pascal | |
| "I No Kam Fine" | 2017 | Pascal | Work Dey 3 |
| "ICI" | 2017 | Tata | |
| "Fighter" | 2019 | WAZIH | Anotic |
| "Beside You" "1985" "Dancers in the Dark" "Donner" "My Fro n Me" | 2022 | Black Girls Glow | Tapestry |
| "Outerstellar" "Don’t Ever Give Up" "Hurt You Back" | 2024 | The Massive Tribe | |

### Other songs

* "You Come First", (2012)
* "Click Pow", (2013)
* "Believe", (2014)