By Jay’Mi Vazquez
Managing Editor
Detroit’s rap scene is often defined by gritty drum patterns, sharp piano chords and nostalgic samples flipped into rapid-fire rhythms. But there is a new voice pushing its boundaries: Lelo.
Lelo is a Detroit native, who merges the city’s iconic sound with a flavor influenced by alternative rap artists like Lucki, Earl Sweatshirt and Tony Shhnow. With a solo catalog that has already garnered tens of millions of streams, he is carving a lane that blends legacy with innovation.
At the heart of Lelo’s movement is the idea of “New Detroit.” While the phrase typically evokes images of displacement and gentrification, he reimagines it as a cultural reclamation.
His sound serves as homage to his roots and a reinvention of what Detroit rap can sound like. It is less about replacing tradition and more about building upon it with personal perspective and musical dexterity.
One of his latest tracks, “Kudos,” lays bare his frustration with inauthenticity, all wrapped in a blend of Detroit’s signature snare-heavy production and the synth-forward influences of Atlanta. There is a raw edge to his delivery that places him in a league of his own.
Lelo’s journey began in his teenage years, rooted in a household steeped in musical history. A grandfather with a broad taste, a father who rapped and a mother who leaned into R&B all played a part in shaping his eclectic style.
This foundation makes it easy to understand the layered approach he takes with his music which is experimental yet deeply connected to his heritage.
There is an intangible quality often found in those from Detroit. Beyond the accent and the Buffs, there is a distinct confidence, a natural sense of belonging. Lelo embodies that spirit.
Rather than molding himself to fit into a space, he expresses a quiet self-assurance that he belonged in it from the start in his lyrics.
Creatively, his process resists structure. In interviews, he has said some songs form in a matter of days, others in a single burst of inspiration.
Sharing space with house music producers has expanded his sonic palette, inspiring a more fluid and open-ended approach to composition. Conversations, especially those with his grandfather, often spark lyrics.
In 2024, Lelo hit a turning point, performing alongside Bktherula, YhapoJJ and Skaiwater in Detroit. Not long after, he connected in the studio with Earl Sweatshirt and Pi’erre Bourne.
Yet, much of his artistic depth remains intentionally under wraps. There is a sense that what the world has heard so far is just a fraction of what is to come.
Fashion also plays a central role in his expression. Whether it is subtle references in his lyrics or trips to Paris Fashion Week, there is a seamless connection between his sense of style and his music.
He approaches both with the mindset of a curator, assembling sounds the way a designer assembles a collection.
There is no slowing down on Lelo’s horizon. He seems to be committed to continuing Detroit’s musical legacy while redefining his own voice across genres and platforms. The mission remains clear: elevate the city that shaped him, amplify the stories that inspired him and bring the vision of “New Detroit” to a global stage.
More than just a genre or aesthetic, “New Detroit” is Lelo’s tribute—a sonic love letter to the culture that raised him and a bold claim to where it is headed next.
