Le1f

The ballet-trained riot boi creates bouncy hip-hop for the 21st century: QTPOC and extremely well dressed.

A youth spent in Manhattan and ballet training aren’t exactly the most auspicious preconditions for a rap career, but authenticity is what interests Le1f the least. Alongside Mykki Blanco, Azealia Banks and Angel Haze, he is seen as one of the hottest exponents of a group of ever-growing rappers with an unorthodox relationship to hip-hop traditions and an emphasis on fluid gender identity. Le1f describes himself as a gay rapper, but doesn’t want his style to be seen as gay rap: »My goal is always to make songs that a gay dude or a straight dude can listen to and just think, this dude has swag. I get guys the way straight rappers get girls.« He combines his high-speed, lascivious flow about racism, fashion and sex with fiery electronic beats. The title of his recently released album (for which he worked with such illustrious guest producers as Evian Christ and Sophie), »Riot Boi,« pretty accurately describes the energy level of his celebrated live performances. After all, Stonewall started as a party too.