A conversation on culture, healing, and the sound of a global African woman.
1. Your journey has moved across continents, from Cameroon to Nigeria to Germany. How have these cultures shaped your sound and the way you express yourself as an artist today?
La Reine Yosé:
Moving between these three places shaped every part of who I am as an artist. Cameroon gave me Makossa — that deep rhythmic pulse. Nigeria strengthened my Afrobeat and Hip-Hop side, and Germany gave me the freedom to experiment, to blend genres fearlessly.
Each culture carries a different rhythm and energy, and I pour all of that into my sound. My music became a reflection of my journey — a mix of Afrosoul, Hip-Hop, and Makossa that tells my truth across borders.
2. Your music blends Afrosoul, Makossa, and Hip-Hop effortlessly. When you’re creating, how do you know when a song truly feels like you?
La Reine Yosé:
I know a song feels like me when it connects emotionally — when I can feel my story inside it. My music always carries a piece of my soul, and I don’t stop working on a record until it feels honest.
Whether I’m rapping or singing, I listen for that point where the beat and my emotions meet. That’s when I know the song is truly “La Reine Yosé.”
3. You started performing at six and even formed girl groups in your early years. Looking back, what do you think that younger version of you would say about the artist you’ve become today?
La Reine Yosé:
She’d be proud — maybe shocked — but proud.
I think that little girl who loved to sing would see how her pain and her voice became her power. She’d see how every struggle and every song was leading to this version of me: strong, healed, and still creating from the heart.
4. Your latest EP carries both a deeply African and globally resonant vibe. What core message or emotion do you want listeners to take away from it?
La Reine Yosé:
My EP Tears and Laughter is my life story — the pain of childhood abuse and other difficult experiences, but also the healing and joy that came after.
It’s about surviving and still finding laughter at the end of it all.
I want people who’ve been through pain to listen and feel seen, and to know that healing is possible — that beauty can grow out of brokenness.
5. Beyond music, you run an association supporting African children, single mothers, and widows. How do you balance being an artist and an advocate? Do those parts of you feed into each other?
La Reine Yosé:
Absolutely — they fit into each other.
My Queen of Hearts Foundation was born from my own story. I survived abuse, and therapy helped me heal, but I know many children, single mothers, and widows in Africa don’t have that chance.
So I created this foundation to give them hope and access to help.
It’s not easy balancing both worlds, but my art and advocacy are connected — they both come from wanting to heal and empower others.
6. Your collaboration with Portable on “Accelerate” shows your willingness to experiment. How do you decide which collaborations push your work forward, and what did this one teach you?
La Reine Yosé:
I’ve always admired his raw energy, his realness, and his street style. When my producer XxMoren played the “Accelerate” beat in my hotel room in Nigeria, I just knew Portable was the right person.
Working with him was intentional. People see one version of him on social media, but in person, he’s one of the most genuine, down-to-earth, and talented people I’ve met.
The collaboration was easy and organic.
It reminded me that true artistry isn’t about image — it’s about connection, honesty, and respect for the craft.
