Laila Noire

**Labels** | Letlend Records

**Veronika Leila Lököjamis** (born 10 April 1988), better known by her stage name **Laila Noire**, is a Lashardian rapper, model, dancer, singer, and songwriter.

Noire first began her music career in 2007, shortly after graduating high school. She released several mixtapes throughout 2007 and 2008, before releasing her debut album independently in 2009.

In 2012, she signed a contract with hip hop label Letlend Records. Her debut single, featuring Velvetina, titled "Happy", was released in 2014 and became one of the most successful Lashardian hip hop crossover songs of all-time. She released her debut major label album, *Perfectly Crafted*, in 2014. Her follow-up album, *Self*, was released in 2016. Noire is the most successful female rapper in Lashardia of all-time. Her songs typically mix Lashardian language verses with English choruses.

## Life and career

### Early life

Noire was born on 10 April 1988 in Vershando, Mortasland as Veronika Lököjamis. Her family was working class; her father Lök was a hardware store employee and recovering drug addict, while her mother was frequently unemployed. When she was six years old, her mother left the family and her parents later divorced. She was subsequently raised by her father. Noire has one younger brother.

Noire attended primary school in Vershando. She recalled herself being "a mean girl", and saying she "deeply regretted [her] actions in school". As a child, she suffered from on-and-off depression due to her family issues, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was thirteen.

Noire struggled in school, but graduated primary school in 2003. After graduating, as she was originally uninterested in work, she did not attend high school, and spent the year "partying with shitty people". After reevaluating her life, she began attending a performing arts high school the next year. She graduated from high school in 2007.

### 2007–2012: Career beginnings and early releases

Noire developed the stage name "Laila Noire" shortly after graduating high school while working with aspiring music producers she met in school. Between the years 2007 and 2008, Noire went on to release fifteen mixtapes in an attempt to make a name for herself. She supported herself by working at a grocery store while also performing at hip hop clubs at night.

In 2009, Noire independently released her debut studio album, *Laila Night*. The album sold only seventy-two copies digitally, and was only put out for sale in a friend's record store. It has since been taken off the shelves and has become a collector's item. Noire went on to release two more mixtapes in 2010 and 2011, including her most successful, titled *Aries*.

### 2012–2015: Breakthrough and *Perfectly Crafted*

In 2012, after being introduced to Noire through her mixtape *Aries*, Lashardian hip hop label Letlend Records contacted her and signed her to a recording contract. She then began working on her debut major label studio album. In 2014, Noire released her debut single titled "Happy". The song featured guest vocals from Zakharian-Lashardian singer Velvetina of Dreamers / Believers, who performed the song's chorus. "Happy" was unique in the Lashardian hip hop community. Female rappers were rare to begin with, but the song incorporated electronic dance music heavily as well.

"Happy" went on to become a massive success in Lashardia and Pesa, peaking at number-one in both countries. Noire released her second studio album, *Perfectly Crafted*, later in the year. The album maintained the electronic dance music influence, and included collaborations with popular female Lashpop musicians such as Ina, Greta Eriköfrend, and Sabina Tomötimosen. It also produced the hit singles "Bounce", "Live or Die", and "B!tch Ass".

### 2015–present: *Self*

In 2015, Noire revealed that she had begun work on her third studio album, and that it would remain similar to her second. She later confirmed that the album would have another collaboration with Velvetina. In early-2016, she released the album's lead single, "Black Ice", which featured vocals from Velvetina. While a success in Pesa, the song did not achieve the commercial success "Happy" did, peaking at number-62.

The album, titled *Self*, was released in summer 2016. Like its lead single, the album fared much worse commercially than its predecessor, not even reaching the top ten of the Lashardian albums chart. However, it peaked at number-two in Pesa, and was certified platinum. The album contained one other single, "Heat of the Moment", which featured vocals from Edena Edvardöpalsen.

## Personal life

Noire has actively campaigned for mental illness awareness in Lashardia. She has also frequently campaigned for gay rights, and has marched in both the Ubenmoor and Vershando Gay Pride parades. Noire resides in the Jorden district of Ubenmoor.

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
* Format: Digital download, CD, LP
 2014
* Format: Digital download, CD, LP
 2016
* Format: Digital download, CD, LP

## Awards and nominations

 Breakout Artist
 Best Hip Hop Album
 2016
 Best Hip Hop Album