Denis Bouanga: The Warm-Up

There are few sights more breathtaking than Denis Bouanga on the break. But before the LAFC winger speaks with his strength and dynamism on the pitch, he listens. “Music plays an essential role in the preparation of my match,” he tells Apple Music. “It allows me to put myself in my bubble and not think of anything at all. Once the headphones are removed, motivation and determination is already present. I just have to go to the field and win.” Born in Le Mans, Bouanga favours French rap—but his exclusive playlist shows the full breadth of what he listens to before kickoff, including tracks by SDM, Booba and Werenoi. “Because,” he says, “they make me do the ‘butterfly effect’, which means making me move my head and sing!”