FAKE MAGAZINE

On a High There has been a lot of hype around Cape Town-based sing-er/producer Petite Noir aka Yannick Ilunga, ever since he released his debut single Till we ghosts through Bad Life back in August, quickly picking up attention in the UK from The Guardian, Dazed & Confused, Radio 1xtra and more. He was recently signed to the British independent label Domino, and has been on tour with British rock band Foals for the last few weeks, playing to rave reviews. And his performance at Car-go in the beginning of December presented an opportunity to evaluate the young star’s live show with his new UK-based band. Despite the unfortunate and frequent technical difficulties

Ilunga and his band experienced, the big and stylish East London crowd got into his groove and captivated them with his astonishing voice. Ilunga describes his music as “noir wave” or “new wave with an African aesthetic”, which is quite fitting when you listen to his song Disappear - it channels the spirit of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, while an addictive new wave rhythm throbs in the background. This young man born in Belgium, who relocated at young age to South Africa and recently to London, has a big global sound. The future too, looks bright and global for this young star.

“Afrobeat meets Post-Punk” -Clash Magazine

“Never mind the grammar, here’s a South African artist making music that is genuinely striking and – just possibly – unique” - The Guardian