Why Century Artists Might Be One Of The Most Interesting New Irish Music Projects This Year

What happens when one of opera’s most rebellious female characters collides with contemporary Irish rap culture?

Dublin producer Louis Ryan’s new project Century Artists is betting that the answer lies somewhere between Georges Bizet’s nineteenth-century opera house and the realities of modern Britain.

The project’s debut release, Carmen, reimagines Habanera, one of classical music’s most recognisable melodies, through the voice of UK rapper Lavida Loca. Combining classical composition, rap production and contemporary storytelling, the track represents the first chapter in a wider project dedicated to reimagining iconic classical works through modern genres and artists.

While the concept may sound unexpected, Century Artists taps into a broader cultural movement that has seen artists such as Rosalía successfully bridge traditional and contemporary forms, bringing historic musical influences into entirely new contexts.

Rather than simply sampling classical music, the project seeks to engage directly with the stories, emotions and themes that have allowed these works to endure for generations.

In the case of Carmen, those themes remain remarkably current.

Freedom. Power. Defiance. Resilience.

At the centre of the release is Lavida Loca, whose own story creates striking parallels with Bizet’s original heroine. Incarcerated at sixteen, she discovered rap while in prison and has since emerged as one of the fastest-rising names in UK rap. She is the ultimate baddie and we are here for it.

Her lyrics explore adversity, survival and self-determination, bringing a contemporary perspective to a character who challenged convention and authority nearly 150 years ago.

For Ryan, Century Artists represents something equally personal.

Although best known for his work across pop, dance and commercial music, the Dublin-born producer created the project as a return to his classical roots and an exploration of how some of the world’s most celebrated compositions might resonate with modern audiences when reimagined through contemporary genres.

Signed to BMG, Ryan’s career has already seen him collaborate with artists including Hozier, Gryffin and Kelli-Leigh, while his work has featured across major television productions, including Love Island and Adolescence. Last summer, his track Bam Bam became Instagram’s number one viral track globally, generating more than 500 million views.

Yet Century Artists arguably represents his most ambitious creative venture to date.

Rather than focusing on a single release, the project is designed as an ongoing platform that will continue reimagining classical works through collaborations with artists from around the world, spanning genres, cultures and musical traditions.

The concept is already attracting attention. Since launching, Century Artists has secured coverage in The Currency and discussion on RTÉ Radio 1’s Claire Byrne Show, reflecting growing interest in new approaches to making classical music accessible to wider audiences.

Ultimately, Century Artists is not trying to modernise classical music.

It is recognising that the themes which made these works endure in the first place never disappeared.

Love. Power. Rebellion. Survival.

The stories remain timeless. The voices telling them are simply changing.

For Louis Ryan, whose credits include work with Hozier, Gryffin and Kelli-Leigh, the project represents a return to his own classical roots. For listeners, it offers something perhaps more valuable: a reminder that great stories rarely belong to a single generation.

Opera has always been about drama, power, rebellion, desire and survival.

The beats may have changed. The themes haven’t.

Photo credits: Holly Lavelle