Les Twins
Laurent and Larry Nicolas Bourgeois (born 6 December 1988), professionally known as Les Twins, are French dancers, choreographers, producers, models, designers, and creative directors of their brand "Eleven Paris". Often referred to by their respective nicknames, "Lil Beast" and "Ca Blaze", they are recognized internationally for their talents in new style hip-hop dancing, and various dancing styles. They are identical twin brothers. They are also actors, having played in Men in Black: International in 2019.
Les Twins
6 December 1988
Sarcelles, Val d'Oise, France
- Dancers
- Choreographers
- Models
- Producers
- Musicians
- Designers
- Entrepreneurs
- Actors
- Creative directors for "Eleven Paris"
- Laurent Nicolas Bourgeois
- Larry Nicolas Bourgeois
Born and raised in Sarcelles, France, the self-taught dance duo became the favorites of the French audience in 2008 as finalists on the popular television show Incroyable Talent. They quickly rose to prominence in the United States after a video of their performance on the San Diego leg of the 2010 World of Dance tour went viral on YouTube, with over 46 million views as of 1 December 2019. In 2011, they won the hip-hop new style division of the prestigious international street dance competition Juste Debout. In 2017, they won the American reality competition series World of Dance, executively produced by Jennifer Lopez.[1] The series featured solo acts and larger groups, competing for a grand prize of US$1 million dollars.[1]
Les Twins have been featured dancers for various music artists, including Beyoncé, Meghan Trainor, and Missy Elliott. Standing at a towering height of 6'4" (193 cm) tall, the brothers have modeled for French haute couture fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier and appeared in many high-profile, commercial advertising campaigns, such as YSL, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Jay-Z's Rocawear, Givenchy, Vouge, Emporio Armani, Jordan and Beats by Dre. They have also walked for many shows before becoming celebrities. They also signed with The Jordan Family.
In addition to teaching their original choreography in workshops around the globe, they are also the founding members of the successful dance team Criminalz Crew and founding members of "Eleven Paris".
Early life and career beginnings[edit]
The twins were born on December 6, 1988, in Sarcelles, a commune in the northern projects of Paris, France. They are the youngest in a large, Guadeloupean[2] extended family of 9 children.[3]
Neither Larry nor Laurent received any formal dance training. Instead, they learned by observing other breakers, lockers, and poppers and by teaching themselves classical ballet techniques.[4][5][6] At the age of 12, they began performing in concerts and musicals. According to WAD Magazine, "They were born dancers. They walked at 5 months, seriously moved their bodies at 18 months old, and at 9 they showed off steps they had invented to youngsters twice their age in their neighborhood."[7]
In 2005, the brothers recruited five members to form their own dance team called Criminalz Crew, spending the next few years competing in hip-hop tournaments and entertaining crowds as street performers and in clubs.[3] In 2007, they danced to sold-out audiences in the musical Pas de Quartier at France's esteemed Avignon Festival.[8][9]
Modeling[edit]
Les Twins are signed with NEXT Model Management in Paris.[33] In 2010, they walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week for the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2010 Men's Collection.[34]
They have since been featured in numerous web, television, and print advertising campaigns, including for Jay-Z's viral video campaign "That's Rocawear", New Era, Benetton, Givenchy, H&M, Adidas, Pioneer Steez, EMOBILE, Emporio Armani, Hogan, Vouge, Hennessy, Jordan, 25 Magazine, Beats By Dre, and Hewlett-Packard.[35]
Artistry[edit]
Dance style[edit]
Les Twins’ dance style is often categorized as New Style hip-hop, a commercial form of hip hop with a strong emphasis on isolations and musicality.[41] However, the twins are known for having created a unique style from this dance which they refer to as "Twins-Style".[42] Due to their ability to anticipate and finish each other's moves,[43] the brothers quickly gained a reputation for their timing and skill at making freestyle dance look like choreography.[3] Charlotte Guillemin of WAD Magazine wrote:[7]
2008
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019
Les Twins in action
Les Twins mid-air during a shoot with Shawn Welling
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