Leikeli47

Leikeli47 was raised in both Virginia and New York, specifically in the Danville, Norfolk, Brownsville, and Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhoods. She has Trinidadian and Guyanese heritage. From a young age, she demonstrated an interest in music, particularly rap, and cited artists such as Michael Jackson and N.E.R.D. as early influences. Before signing with RCA Records, Leikeli47 released her mixtape, LK-47, in 2010. This was followed by LK-47 Pt. II in 2014 and a self-titled EP, Leikeli47, in 2015. In 2015, her song “Fuck the Summer Up” was featured on Jay-Z’s inaugural Tidal playlist, indicating early recognition within the music industry.

Her debut full-length album, “Wash & Set,” was released on September 8, 2017, receiving positive critical reception for its lyricism and genre-bending music. This was followed by her second album, “Acrylic,” on November 15, 2018, which was the second part of her planned “Beauty Series” trilogy. The album’s first single, “Girl Blunt,” was featured in the third season of “Insecure” and the first season of “The Wilds.” “Acrylic” was recognized by several publications, including NPR, Paper Magazine, Esquire, and Forbes, as one of the top albums of 2018.

Leikeli47 continued to release music, including her third album, “Shape Up,” on May 13, 2022, which also received positive reviews, with Pitchfork.com praising its versatility across various genres. In October 2024, she announced her fourth album, “Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only,” and released the lead single “450.” The video for “450” marked a significant turning point as Leikeli47 publicly removed her face covering for the first time, stating, “It feels right. It’s time. The mask served its purpose, and now we move forward.”