By Kevin L. Clark ·November 11, 2020November 11, 2020
There are mysterious figures in music — MF DOOM, Captain Murphy, Jay Electronica — and then there is Leikeli47. Boasting two epic rap albums with 2017’s Wash & Set and 2018’s Acrylic, she withdrew from the scene for reasons explored on her upcoming effort Shape Up. It has been a long time for myself and fans of the Bed-Stuy lyricist since we’ve heard that heat and her newest single, “Zoom,” came right on time.
The balaclava-wearing, beat-consuming Brooklyn badass has always repped where she came from, which also includes Virginia as well, and our shared story settings have inspired this week’s edition of ESSENCE’s The Playlist. “My culture is my muse,” Leikeli shares when asked about these hometown streets responding to her latest and greatest. “To feel that I have their backs, the same way they have mine, I hope they can appreciate my growth and know that I will always be responsible with our stories.
Leikeli47 in Ivy Park.
Inspired by deep-rooted street tales like The Wu-Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple” and Stevie Wonder’s “Living for The City,” Leikeli47 may rep for the block, but behind that mask she raps with the brilliance of a sartorialist. “Stay low. Keep firing. Bet the bank,” she says via email about any solid advice that inspires her music. “If you don’t bet on yourself, then who will?”
In keeping the focus on the music of the streets, this is a dream come true to share our choices together on the eve of a busy 2021 for the genre-defying MC.
1. Ghostface Killah — “Cherchez LaGhost” (ft. U-God)
Up first for Leikeli is a joint she considers “a timeless bop.” The co-star of The Purple Tape, Ghostface Killah, also comes correct on a record. For “Cherchez LaGhost,” he is completely in his distinctive bag, dropping line after line of pure street classiness. “[This is] one of my favorite songs and short visuals. GFK is a one-of-one,” she says about the Wu-Icon via email.
2. Erick the Architect — “WTF” (ft. Col3trane)
To double down on spreading love (because it’s the Brooklyn way!) — I am championing the new track from Erick the Architect. The Flatbush Zombies co-founder, rapper, and executive producer channels early ‘90s East Coast vibes on “WTF,” a reflective single with airtight rhymes over soulful beats. With Col3trane on the hook, this is an introspective number anyone could use while navigating these COVID-19-laced streets.
3. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band — “Sunshower”
“I can see and feel every color,” Leikeli shares with me when talking about the 1976 #1 dance hit. And she’s right because Cory Daye is still underrated whenever this track comes on. “Sunshower” is what I would call a “forever groove,” or what music writer Peter Shapiro calls as “one of the most fully realized, dazzling artifacts from the Black bohemian intelligentsia.” The energy from this song is enough to keep your block extra sunny no matter the weather.
4. Freddie Gibbs — “4 Thangs” (ft. Big Sean & Hit-Boy)
Elite MCs and certified street scholars, Freddie Gibbs and
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