Entrepreneur, artist, rapper, beatmaker, producer… but above all, a unifier, I was invited to Vicky R’s release party in Paris yesterday to celebrate the release of her brand new project, LOBBY which has been available since midnight on all platforms. I had the honor of contributing to this project as a stylist, adding my personal touch: sneakers.
Five years after my first collaboration with Vicky on the music video for her single ICE, released in 2020, I had the opportunity to observe her artistic evolution. Over the course of her projects, I’ve seen her presence grow, with her personality becoming more and more assertive. In 2023, when her EP SYSTM came out, I was captivated by the track “J’ai pas changé”, featuring Le Juiice. A song that deeply resonates with her truth and vision. Having discovered Vicky with Leggo (and being Gabonese myself, of course, I vibed to this song!), following her into this new phase of her career, where she delivers her message with more confidence, is even more inspiring.
Another track from her repertoire, F*CK LE RAP FÉMININ, released in 2022, particularly touched me. Through this song, Vicky expresses her desire to break free from a world that constantly tries to label things in rap. But for me, rap is primarily a means of expression, a way to share one’s realities, struggles, and pain. Regardless of gender, rap is a universal channel to express oneself, and it’s fascinating to see Vicky claim it so powerfully.
As a woman who has navigated the so-called “male-dominated” world of sneakers, I fully align with her point of view. As she says so well, “We don’t leave them a choice, they have to deal with us, bro!”
LOBBY: A New Chapter in Vicky R’s Career
The release of LOBBY marks a pivotal moment in Vicky’s career, in my opinion. But even more than that, it marks a turning point in her identity as a woman. Last night’s event confirmed what I had already felt: Vicky is not just an artist or a rapper; she is first and foremost a unifier. She is a woman who knows how to bring people together, creating a real community around her vision. And that’s not all. In addition to her artistic career, Vicky is also an entrepreneur, heading her company Le Cercle, which allows her to produce her own projects and support other artists. The name of her company says it all: it’s about gathering, supporting, creating strong bonds, and fostering collective growth. I deeply admire this aspect of her journey because she uses her aura to help others develop their own image and projects.
This unifying spirit is deeply felt in her universe. Having had the chance to be in her artistic space, you can truly feel the familial energy around her. This proves her determination as an entrepreneur, but also her ability to surround herself with the right people. It’s inspiring.
A New Musical Sensitivity
In LOBBY, two tracks particularly stood out to me, as they reveal a side of Vicky R we don’t often see. In “MILES”, featuring Anaïs Cardot, she clearly steps out of her comfort zone. We discover a softer, more vulnerable Vicky, with a soothing melody and subtle vocals that touch the soul.
“GPS”, For The Baddies, and WE LOVE IT: this track shows that Vicky dares to open up and offer us a new side of her femininity, a dimension we’re not used to hearing in the current rap ecosystem. She frees herself from expectations and unveils another facet of herself, far from the usual clichés. Less “aggressive”, she asserts herself in this project as a fully self-realized artist, having found her place in a musical universe she now masters.
When she says in “Facts”, featuring Benjamin Epps, “I’ve been rapping for 10 years, and still don’t know how to break through”, I think with this new project, she’s finally found the recipe. And with the collective she has managed to bring together, she is ready to conquer the world.
Vicky R is creating a true movement, and I can’t wait to follow the next steps of her journey. Her artistic and personal evolution is a model for us all, and I look forward to seeing where this adventure will take her.
Go STREAM !
