Victor Lou

Senador Canedo, Brazil

Save the World

Electronic

Behind the Music

Ian’s initiative to tell these hidden stories has immense value and deserves recognition. The importance of this book prevails today, despite the majority of the reporting being conducted nearly five years ago. Attention still needs to be drawn towards this investigation, and the unique art Ian has created by combining music and written word will speak volumes to those like myself who care about the world and our oceans.

When it came to my tracks, I tried to produce songs that I’d want to hear when it comes to these topics. With this goal in mind and using some of Ian’s own vocals, I was able to create an album that I’m excited for listeners to experience. I hope the success of this project will make waves the same way Ian’s initial New York Times series did, resulting in more social impact and empathy.

Victor Lou
About Victor Lou

Born in Goiânia, capital of the state of Goiás/Brazil, a place known mainly as the origin of country music, Victor Lou grew up in a city close to the capital, Senador Canedo. From a humble background, with simplicity being one of his main attributes, he worked several jobs as a painter, bricklayer, electrician and telemarketing agent, among other services, until he achieved credits as an international music producer. Victor Lou has always faced more challenges than most because of social discrimination. But by overcoming all the adversities and judgments of society, he could reach a level of success that few have reached in a short period of time.

In January 2020, Victor Lou was invited by Ian Urbina, a journalist for The New York Times, to join The Outlaw Ocean Music Project. Victor Lou is part of a select group of Brazilian artists invited to this project. This totally unprecedented proposal required Victor Lou to create a five track composition dedicated to five chapters of the book The Outlaw Ocean, using sounds inspired from the reporting itself. These sound samples are extracted from thousands of hours of video reporting on the high seas.

Winner of the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism

The Journalism behind the Music

All music in this project is based on The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times Best-Selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. This reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships and other topics.

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