NXT UP: Lykuin
LYKUIN
At a time when French R&B is reclaiming its place after nearly a decade of silence, Lykuin stands out as one of its most authentic and promising new voices.
Originally from Guadeloupe and raised in Toulouse, Lykuin grew up surrounded by the Gwo Ka rhythms her father used to play, sounds that would later infuse her own music with warmth, groove, and a deep sense of identity. Her universe bridges continents and generations, blending the classic sounds of soul with the modern textures of R&B.
Lykuin introduced herself to the public in 2021 with her debut EP Live, Love & Loud, a first statement filled with sincerity and vulnerability. It was the sound of an artist exploring emotion through melody, setting the foundations for a style both intimate and assertive.
Three years later, in December 2024, she returned even stronger with Love, Kuin , a project that marked a turning point in her trajectory. With singles like Doucie and Diamanté, Lykuin showcased her ability to move effortlessly between softness and confidence, sensuality and reflection. The project cemented her as a rising figure within a French R&B scene once thought dormant, now steadily reviving thanks to voices like hers.
In June 2025, Lykuin linked up with fellow Toulouse native Chloëmoi, known for her unique fusion of R&B, neo-soul, and pop, to release their first collaborative album, 65th Avenue. The project captures the spirit of a new generation of artists redefining what it means to make soulful music in France today: experimental, brutally honest, and emotionally transparent.
The duo’s chemistry, both in sound and storytelling, offers a snapshot of the energy radiating from Toulouse’s fast-growing alternative R&B scene, one that balances vulnerability with boldness, and emotion with innovation.
Mid-October saw Lykuin unveil Dans tes yeux, a melancholic yet luminous single that reflects her most introspective side. The track feels like a quiet confession, soft, minimalist, but powerful in its emotional delivery. It’s the mark of an artist growing into her truth, using her voice as both instrument of truth, and as a diary.