Lil Louis

Originally an instrumental, the track features a several-minute breakdown in which the tempo gradually slows to a stop. Even with its erotic sound, it crossed over to some pop radio stations and climbed to No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a big success throughout Europe, reaching No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart, despite being banned by the BBC, and in Germany, and No. 1 in the Netherlands. The video was directed by Marek Budzynski. British drum-and-bass producers Ed Rush and Optical later produced a remix. In the track "Teachers" from the 1997 Homework album by Daft Punk, Lil Louis is one of the many musicians mentioned. Laurent Garnier's 1997 single "Flashback" contained a remix by Lil Louis called "Lil Louis Civilized Instrumental Painting." In 2000, fellow producer Josh Wink released "How's Your Evening So Far?"—credited to Wink Featuring Lil Louis—a track that heavily sampled "French Kiss". The song peaked at No. 3 on the dance chart. The song was also sampled in 2000 by hip hop emcee Lil' Kim on the track "Custom Made (Give It To You)," which was featured on The Notorious KIM. In 2009, Louis was featured in the track "One More Chance" by British electronic music duo Basement Jaxx from their fifth studio album Scars. In 2013, John Legend released the song "Made to Love", which features a prominent sample of the Lil' Louis song "Video Clash", on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. On January 24, 2015, Louis suffered permanent sound-induced hearing loss in his left ear during a soundcheck in Manchester, England, when an air horn was let off near him. On April 17, 2026, American singer-songwriter Madonna premiered "I Feel So Free" on iHeartRadio's Pride station, and released the first promotional single from her upcoming fifteenth studio album, Confessions II (2026) two days later. The song, written and produced by Madonna and Stuart Price, with co-production by Arca, heavily samples "French Kiss" by Louis, and it was later described as an homage to the producer and DJ.

• Name — Lil Louis • Born — 13 May 1962 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Birth Name — Marvin Louis Burns • Occupation — * DJ • record producer • singer • songwriter • musician • Genre — House • Label — * FFRR/PolyGram • Epic/SME Records • Diamond Records • Associated Acts — * Shawn Christopher • Josh Wink • Larry Heard • Joi Cardwell

• From the Mind of Lil Louis (FFRR/PolyGram UK; Epic/SME Records US, 1989) • Li'l Louis & the World – Journey with the Lonely (Epic/SME Records US, 1992)

• Year — Single — Peak positions — Album • US — US Dance — AUS — NED — BEL (FL) — FRA — GER — AUT — SWI — SWE — IRE — UK • 1987 — "Frequency / How I Feel" — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — singles only • 1988 — "The Original Video Clash / Music Takes U Away" — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • "7 Days of Peace / War Games" (as Lil' Louis and the Diamond Corp.) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • 1989 — "French Kiss" — 50 — 1 — 35 — 1 — 3 — 5 — 2 — 4 — 2 — 16 — 6 — 2 — French Kisses – The Complete Mix Collection EP • 1990 — "I Called U (But You Weren't There)" — — — — — — — 66 — 48 — — — — — — — — — — — 23 — 16 — From The Mind of Lil' Louis (as Lil' Louis & The World) • "Nyce & Slo" — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 89 • 1992 — "Club Lonely" (featuring Joi Cardwell) — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Journey with the Lonely (as Lil' Louis & The World) • "Saved My Life" (featuring Joi Cardwell) — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 74 • 1997 — "Clap Your Hands" (as Lil' Louis & The Party) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 77 — Singles only • 2000 — "How's Your Evening So Far?" (with Josh Wink) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 23 • 2001 — "Blackout" (Li'l Louis vs. Hydrogen Rockers) — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Lil Louis was recorded at birth as Marvin Louis Burns. He also worked under the name Lil' Louis. The authorities additionally record the headings Marvin Burns, Li'l Louis, Lil' Louis, Lil' Louis & The World and Lil' Louis & The Party. His recorded language was English.

Lil Louis is recorded as record producer, disc jockey and musician.