“I kind of grew up in music. My dad had a studio in the basement and he would make beats for a bunch of different people. I would be down there just watching them in the studio, slowly learning.”

Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Leek Lavell, at twenty years old, is stepping onto the scene with his debut track "You Know You Know." Leek Lavell grew up surrounded by music, thanks to his dad’s studio in their basement. So many great stories in rap began at somebody’s home studio setup in their basement, and Leek Lavell was blessed to have one under his own roof. Working to be a known producer in the city, his father often had artists in the basement, where a young Leek Lavell would patiently sit and observe the process. That’s why when he stepped up to the mic for the first time, it felt almost as though it was second nature. He had seen the process countless times before, so there was not too much guessing involved. Influenced heavily by those early experiences, he began writing raps in his notes and finally decided to drop this song after positive feedback from those around him.

The track itself features a calm acoustic melody, sampled from a popular sound trending on platforms like TikTok. It may feel familiar when the beat kicks in, but as soon as the vocals begin, Leek Lavell makes the track his own. It’s a modern take on the traditional Chicago rap sound, with a slightly raw, unpolished feel that pays homage to the city’s drill roots. The subject matter in the song is similar to what you might find in other Chicago music that seems to be at the forefront of the industry, but what sets Leek Lavell apart is his delivery. His experiences that he is addressing in his music are relatable, appealing to an extremely large audience, while keeping his sound fresh. Leek Lavell’s debut is a strong start, introducing his talent and potential to the rap world. With this first release, it’s clear he’s just getting started. Leek Lavell is certainly somebody that both the Chicago scene and the underground scene at large need to keep their eyes on.

Stream "You Know You Know" HERE