Music

The Lore Behind French-Algerian Singer Lolo Zouaï

BYYassine Hariss

April 13, 2026

A couple of weeks ago, we sat down with part-Algerian singer-songwriter Lolo Zouaï for a new installment of MILLE ON AIR, our flagship rapid-fire interview series with creatives from across the region that tends to veer off-script in the best way. But with the algorithm calling the shots (tight edits, even tighter cuts, and a hard stop before the two-minute mark), inevitably, a good chunk of the conversation was unfortunately left out.

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Still, some things said were too good to stay buried in the archives. So rather than let them disappear into the void, we’re bringing them back into focus. Below, some Lolo Zouaï lore that didn’t make the final cut, but arguably should have.

Who’s an artist you would love to collaborate with, dead or alive?

I’ve really been loving James Blake’s new album, and I would love to collaborate with him. If it had to be from the region, probably Tul8te.

What’s the worst lie you’ve ever told?

So it’s not really a lie, but kind of. When I was younger, I threw a party while my mom was out of town, and we smoked a hookah. I cleaned everything up after; the house was spotless, nothing left. When my mom came back, everything looked perfect… except I’d left a checklist on the fridge that literally said, ‘clean hookah.’ The house was immaculate, but she saw that and went ‘Wait—what, you smoked hookah?’

What’s your ‘I’m back outside’ anthem?

Anything from Too Short, like ‘Gangstas & Strippers.’

Which conspiracy theory do you lowkey believe is true?

I believe that AI was created to distract us from what’s going on in the government. I feel like AI is here to distract and to make us feel like we don’t know what’s real or not.

What’s the weirdest beauty treatment you’ve ever done?

I just got this red light therapy mask, and it’s pretty crazy looking. I look like I’m part of the Daft Punk, but I love it, and it works.

What’s one thing you pretend to like?

Small talk and socializing. I have a hard time talking to people that I don’t know and asking questions and trying to be genuine is very hard for me. I just don’t want to do it. I really love silence.

What’s the biggest misconception people build about you just from your music?

I think people have a hard time understanding that I’m French, American, and Algerian. People always try to pin me down—like, ‘Oh, I thought you were this,’ or ‘I thought you were that.’ And it’s like, no, I come from many different places, and that’s okay too.

What’s your party trick?

I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under two-minutes.

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LEAD PICTURE COURTESY OF THOMAS SPAULT (8PO.LLS)

The Lore Behind French-Algerian Singer Lolo Zouaï

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The Lore Behind French-Algerian Singer Lolo Zouaï

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