Vjuan Allure: A Tribute To An Icon

Curated By Lee Soulja

In March of last year, the Ballroom Community lost our dear friend – the beloved Vjuan Allure. Recognized as an innovator in the Ball scene and largely regarded as the originator of Ballroom dramatic beats. Vjuan was famous for his 2000 remix of Masters at Work’s “The Ha Dance” which quickly became the signature sound for vogue all around the world.

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Legendary Founding Father Lee Soulja (New York)

I met a young man voguing on the dance floor at a club in DC during their Black Pride in 2006. His name was Vjuan Allure. As we were dancing, he turned to me and said, “That’s me!”  I said, “What?” He replied, “That beat that Sedrick is playing is mine!” Well that is the moment when our friendship began. I would then begin to bring Vjuan up to NYC to play every chance I could. I introduced him to Luna Khan to play at the Latex Ball! I introduced him to Big Ben, the owner of Escuelita nightclub in NYC to play at the Rumble Ball! However, I am most proud that I would be the person to arrange for Vjuan to become one of the DJs to play at the House Dance International competitions! This is when the international dance community was really introduced to him and his unique remixes of popular music. He was always thankful to me for making those introductions for him because it would ultimately change his trajectory. Although Vjuan had already played at venues in Italy and other countries, he still hadn’t gained the same kind of fan base that he was now amassing playing for dancers. These dancers and voguers were also requesting him to play at their events around the world. So not only was Vjuan quickly becoming the DJ of choice for Balls around the U.S. but others would book him to travel overseas to play at international dance festivals and Balls. His unique music and remixes were what people began to expect to hear at these events.  On a personal note, Vjuan was my family. He was my little brother, best friend and confidant. No one could ever miss him more than I will.

Please read the beautiful testimonies that people from around the world wrote about this ICONIC DJ, Vjuan Allure St. Laurent….

Icon Uncle Mike Ebony (New York)

To me Vjuan helped revolutionize Ballroom! The 2nd generation of DJs like David DePino, Gary Greaves, Frankie Paradise, Andre Collins and the Iconic DJ Carlton were amazing mixologist. They played records, remixed them, spliced the break parts and spliced them in with tribal beats which added to the fervor of the battle which in turn ignited the moment. Vjuan took this element, this apex if you will and created beats that were tailor made to our style of dance. It gave the voguers their life and the runway walkers an anthem to strut to! Although Vjuan was the master, there were others like Mike Q and Angel X who also became impactful DJs in the scene. But it was Vjuan who was the maestro!

Ana Ninja 007 (Sweden)

Vjuan has had a huge impact in Sweden and has played here several times. He was always supporting the scene with his unforgettable sets that literally gave “life” and the knowledge he shared of Ballroom, Beats, the House music and life in general. There was no one like him behind the decks. He played with so much flavor, skill, vicious timing and humor. Vjuan, we miss you dearly!

Georgina St. Laurent (Germany)

The guidance of Vjuan Allures since his first visit in 2014 made a major contribution towards establishing the German and European Ballroom scene. For Germany he was the DJ to play at the famous Berlin Voguing Out Festivals as well as being a special guest on panel discussions and workshops.  He shared knowledge to the burgeoning local scene. He helped them to understand and respect the history and foundation of the American Ballroom culture, as well as inspiring the European scene to grow their own legacy. He was my Father in Ballroom and helped me in the guidance of the former German Pioneering House of Melody (founded in 2012). Through the years he became a personal mentor to all members, guiding us with love into the legacy of the Iconic House of Saint Laurent as our Godfather in 2019. The physical absence of the Iconic Vjuan Allure Saint Laurent is felt worldwide, amplified by everyone he inspired and guided with kindness, creativity, honest advice, beatz for days and the upmost passion and respect for Ballroom culture. The legacy Vjuan created will never be forgotten and lives on in communities as well as countless individuals around the world! 

Grandfather Archie Ninja (New York)

To me Vjuan Allure was one of the most under rated cultural shapers of the 20th century. What he has done to impact a whole genre of music was and is felt around the globe. Not only was he a good friend, he was a better friend and mentor to so many. I will miss our KiKi on the phone. But his will, will be done. He has forever changed the Ballroom demographics and will forever be a presence.

International Mother Koppi Mizrahi (Japan)

Vjuan Allure taught me a lot of things not only about music but about Ballroom in general. He was so kind, sweet, friendly and a humble person no matter how famous he was internationally. He was the first person who made a track with my vocal. That was really surprising and I was so grateful. And it has been played around the world and many people knew me by the track. Every time I saw him, he gave me the promo CDs. Those are my treasure. His music really motivated me to make Ballroom beats. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t produce beats like his. His music is one and only. In Ballroom here in Japan, everybody gets their life to his beats. People really feel it, go crazy, and vogue down to it. Even outside of the Ballroom scene, DJs in Japan love to play his music in the club. He came to Tokyo just one time in 2012. We wish we could have brought him back again. Rest in peace my friend, my mentor Vjuan. I love you so much.

 Lasseindra Ninja (Paris)

Vjuan Allure was my sis. We became friends in 2010. We used to call each other every weekend. Our hello was the song, “Ms. Celie Blues” from the Color Purple. We would also sing it every time we were together in any country or any situation. To me Vjuan Allure was the Uncle of the European Ballroom scene. He was really nurturing and guided a lot of us in Ballroom and in life. He used to love gummy bears. That was his favorite treat. I want to share a little story about the last time we had seen each other in Paris. February 2021, at the Djoon club. It was a house party. We gave hands performance, pretending to be witches, casting spells on people – with my sister Alex Mugler and my sister Nikki Gorgeous Gucci. We gave hands for the Gods that night and we read everybody’s outfit that night. Vjuan Allure is very important to the European Ballroom Scene and also to me on a personal level. He was truthful, so when he didn’t like something, you would know immediately. Vjuan Allure, I miss you and think about you on a daily basis. You’re legacy will live on forever.

DJ Mike Q Ebony (New York)

The impact of Vjuan Allure on me and the whole culture of Ballroom is and will forever be unmatched. Vjuan, the creator of the modern Ballroom sound left such a mark on all of us. Friend, mentor, brother, father, comedian, teacher, maestro – he touched so many people in different ways. We all got a different piece of him. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career of being a well celebrated International DJ/Producer if it wasn’t for that man and his musical contribution to the world. I thank God for being able to have his presence. He is Missed ETERNALLY.

Founding Father Ultraa Energi (DC/Marlyland)

He continued to push the boundaries of what music could do, and in turn pushed what performers / competitors could do as well (and that’s in all styles of music!). He moved Ballroom into new eras, recognizing new talents and honoring the elders just the same. He immortalized phrases, moments, events, people, and Ballroom history into the very foundations of the music that he played everywhere. The Ballroom Beatz music genre he created, and the culture it encoded has now made its way into every aspect of pop culture. His influence can be seen through the many DJs, producers (including his own record label Elite Beatz Records), performers, activists, etc, that can now be seen everywhere from popular video games to Rihanna’s Fenty/Savage specials, from the crowds of Bonaroo to the MET Gala. Everyone from Ballroom culture in the past few decades has a memory of ‘getting their life’ with Vjuan, growing confidence and feeling bold enough to step out and ‘do it bigger.’  

I could talk about Vjuan forever, because on a personal side of things, he was first and foremost my best friend, my mentor, and a musical soulmate. His influences in my life have been deeper over the last 20+ years than any other. Teaching me how to make it through life’s many challenges, how to build relationships and my own House [of Energi], and most of all music creation. It has always been one of my biggest honors in life to know that I was the first person he hand-picked to carry the name Elite Beatz. The biggest impact though, was that he gave me a chance to simply experience the best parts of what my life was going to be, in ways I never imagined possible. He passed on so much of himself to those around him, to Ballroom, as well as myself.  It is undeniable that there will never be another like the ICON Doctor Vjuan Allure… One of the greatest to ever live.

Empress Venla Ninja (Finland)

Vjuan first visited Finland in 2012 as a DJ for an international dance competition. At this visit he ended up playing in an empty DJ slot at the breakdance afterparty. Vjuan made everyone get down; voguers, house dancers, breakdancers. He connected all the dancers. Everyone who was at this party remembers it! Vjuan’s passion and discretion with his beats made the night unforgettable and magical! It was a legendary party in the Finnish club/dance scene history.

Before Vjuan left, he gave me a pile of his mixtape CD’s. He wanted to make sure starting Finnish Ballroom scene had the beats to carry on. He also used to send new songs and mixtapes for us to use. The stories and long conversations at the hotels, dinners and afterparties gave us insight into the Ballroom scene in the United States. His Ballroom knowledge, support and music impacted many in Finland, and still does. With every visit he made people move, feel good and feel free. He educated.

Vjuan’s last visit to Finland was in 2019, playing at Archie NInja’s Birthday Ball. On this night, he gave us a Ballroom music history lesson. There is no doubt that his uplifting spirit moved many people in Finland. On a personal level Vjuan’s frankness yet endless support kept me going. He saw me as me. He knew my history and my intentions regarding Ballroom. He was my uncle. I love and miss him so much.