Pioneer, icon and Renaissance man are all words often used to describe Louis Burns, also known as Lil Louis. Louis is an international artist, producer, songwriter, DJ, writer and soundtrack composer.

Nicknamed the 'Founding Father of House Music', the sound created by Louis has shaped EDM, Techno and Pop music, becoming the reference point for DJs around the world, including David Guetta, who recognizes Louis as an inspiration to start DJing and creating music. This year marks 50 years of DJ career for this iconic figure, a monumental achievement.

Lil Louis began his brilliant career as a poet, writing his first poem at the age of three, in a garage during a blues session with his father Bobby Sims, a blues musician, his mother, a blues singer, and Howlin' Wolf. The latter, after reading what Louis had written, had it recited while the band played the blues. “That was the first time I was hit by the art virus,” he recalled. The first instrument Louis learned to play were drums, at the age of eight.

In 1974, at just 12 years old, a new art form began: DJing, at a time when there were no mixers, modern drum machines, computers or even disco music. He was the first DJ in Chicago to play disco, initially earning amazement, a few whistles and even bottles thrown. He then revolutionized the sector by introducing 'musical editing', an innovation that laid the foundations for House Music. Over time, his unique skill in DJing drew ever larger crowds.

In 1977, at just 15 years old, Louis organized the world's first 'rave'. At 16, he launched into entrepreneurship, opening the first of many successful nightclubs and restaurants in Chicago. His first official album was released in 1985, “How I Feel/Frequency,” on Dance Mania. Later, “Video Clash” was released, later sampled by John Legend. In 1987, he released one of the most important House Music records ever, “French Kiss,” which topped the world charts, selling almost 8 million copies, making Louis the most commercially successful DJ in the history of dance music.

With Sony and Polygram, he released two albums: From The Mind of Lil Louis (Platinum), which included “French Kiss,” “I Called You” and “Blackout,” and Journey with the Lonely (Gold), containing the hits “Club Lonely” and “Saved My Life.” His critically acclaimed third album, Two Sides to Every Story, included the track “Fable.”

During his career, Lil Louis has produced and written/co-written songs for numerous internationally renowned artists, including Jay-Z, John Legend, Babyface, Lil Kim, Meshell N'degeocello, Redman, Amel Larrieux, Groove Theory, Donna Summers, Basement Jaxx, as well as producing and composing soundtracks for successful independent films such as Jason's Lyrics, Woo and Love.