IN CONVERSATION WITH LAGOS IN PARIS
Interview by Samo Šajn
Lagos in Paris is a West African trio creating a bold new sound they call Afraw, a mix of African rhythms and raw electronic music. After their breakout single Mali Spirit, they’re back with Afro G Western, a cinematic track blending blues, G-Funk, and afrobeats, and an exclusive first look at their next offering Sinatanale. With their debut EP coming soon, they’re becoming one of the most exciting new voices in global electronic music.
You describe your music as ‘Afraw’. What does that word mean to you, and how did you come up with it?
It came to us during a late studio session, the same way we chose our name, “Lagos in Paris.” It started as a pun but quickly felt right. “Afraw” blends “Afro” for our West African roots and “Raw” for the authenticity we aim for. Not raw as in messy, but that fine space between subtlety, complexity, and honesty. We want our music and visuals to be alive, organic, and electronic where appearance and essence coexist with intention.
‘Afro G Western’ feels like a movie in sound. What inspired the track, and what was the process of making it like?
It evolved over more than two years, starting from a Mandingo blues riff layered with hip hop and electronic sounds. Ghanaian artists TSIE and Stevo Atambire added powerful lyrics and vocals. The cinematic feel may come from our early vision of scoring short films or from the second half of the track and video, where slow-mo visuals and epic instrumentals build a sense of release. We later realised it felt like the soundtrack to a Western shot in Africa, hence the name.
Your music blends so many styles – afrobeats, blues, funk, techno, G-Funk. How do you mix all these without it sounding too crowded?
We could also mention reggae, house, amapiano… these influences are part of each of us. Years of personal experiences, travel, and collaboration give us a broad palette. But choices are tough, so we follow a “less is more” mindset from our work as songwriters and producers. Simplifying helps us shape our minimalist ethos and keep things clear but rich.
The title ‘Afro G Western’ sounds like a mix of cultures. What story are you telling with it?
The mix isn’t strategic, it’s who we are. We grew up immersed in these styles, so they show up naturally. The story behind the track is about a DJ-producer searching endlessly for the perfect sound, experimenting in solitude, and eventually finding joy in sharing it. The video is a metaphor for our lives as artists, always exploring, always evolving.
Tell us the story about this new ‘Sinatanale’ song.
Each song comes from a new trip, a new moment. ‘Sinatanale’ began in Dakar with just vocal samples, but we shelved it. Later in Abidjan, during a songwriting camp, everything clicked with a mystic choir chorus. Then, it needed a more electronic feel. We added TSIE’s verse during a creative trip to Ghana, and the track came alive.
What inspired the music video for ‘Sinatanale’? Why did you choose to shoot in black and white?
It reflects our constant need to renew ourselves. Black and white contrasts with the warmth of our first two videos and shows there’s no “Lagos in Paris” formula. We wanted to surprise people and avoid predictability. Shooting in Ghana gave us new energy to match the track’s mysticism, and the raw look helps ground the shift.
You’ve worked across West Africa and Europe. How do those different places and experiences influence your music?
It wasn’t planned, but we’ve been going between continents for five years. We met in West Africa, worked in Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and later in Europe, especially Paris. These travels, people, and collaborations open our minds and naturally shape us, personally and musically. We hope to keep expanding to Asia and the Americas.
You directed the music video yourselves. What was the idea behind it, and how does it connect to the song’s message?
All our videos are co-directed with a young, talented director. We’ve had video ideas for years but weren’t the main artists, so Lagos in Paris became a way to bring them to life. From the dancers in ‘Mali Spirit’ to the DJ in ‘Afro G Western,’ each story shares a message of patience and tolerance. Like our music, the visuals must stay raw and authentic.
Your first single ‘Mali Spirit’ got a lot of attention. Did that affect how you approached the next releases?
We didn’t expect so much support, it was surreal. But it didn’t throw us off, since every track was made to stand on its own. Hopefully, they connect as one body of work when put together. Releasing ‘Mali Spirit’ was the hardest part, everything else followed naturally.
Your debut EP is coming soon. What can fans expect from it? Will it be similar to your first two singles?
The EP is a musical road trip, non-linear but unified by exploration. Each track reveals a different side of our identity, electronic, acoustic, or both, but always Afraw. Each song builds its own world. We took risks, and we promise an experience. We want to surprise you.
You’re creating a new sound that’s rooted in Africa but feels very global. What do you hope people take away from your music?
Thank you. Since day one, we’ve aimed to create a unique sound rooted in Africa but with a global reach. That’s our dream and ambition. If it already feels global to you, then we’re on the right track. Getting messages from Lagos, Paris, London, Accra, Glasgow, it’s encouraging. We want people to see African music as powerful, modern, and evolving, not limited to afrobeats or “world music.” It’s bigger than that. It’s bigger than us.
