Lelo’s creativity was incredibly zeroed at the age of 25. To the point where Detroit continues to claim that it is a fiery force that cannot be ignored in contemporary rap scenes, locking his strange spirit into two words.
All the groundbreaking numbers, genres and movements of “New Detroit” are rooted in history but are redesigned for the future. He called it the “Renain”, which is the peak of new, new ideas and, most importantly, is based on the sound foundation of the city.
On his debut studio album, too New DetroitLelo draws a lot of inspiration from the myriad musical influences of his hometown, returning to the sound of his childhood to hone his artistic horizon. The city’s electronic slum scene (who remembers what mom listens when she’s ready to go out) is one of the LP’s guiding forces, as well as other beloved wall cor, such as Motor City’s spin on chamber music and hip-hop brewery choices.
Lelo recorded the album – it was a completely solo project – completely in his bedroom in Detroit, where he still spent most of his time. Well, before this album is abandoned.
Driven by his Lelo legacy, his local community, his hometown and “underground” have developed far beyond his ideas.
“I don’t know where to put it. “I’m just doing me. ”
He was spinning between the underground and the mainstream without hesitation in his driveway. He also, soon enough, recently roamed from his subject to Paris to Paris to Fashion Week and then briefly returned home before the current press conference…it was his first headline tour and had his first show in Chicago on September 8.
Lelo said that while he was very grateful for the travel he had given to him during his career, he hoped he could spend more time at home. Especially now, he said, he wanted to celebrate the first people on each album being his family.
His goal is not to hit a certain amount of streams or collect RIAA certification. This is the house for his mom.
Lelo is a real local talent paying tribute to his city streets New Detroit track. We grabbed him for thirty minutes to talk more about the Detroit influence his charming major record label debut brought.
Garrett Bruce
Fresh Records debut – How do you feel?
I feel good. I’ve been feeling stressed over the past few weeks (until it drops to the drop), and now feels like I can lower my brain now shuts down a little bit.
New DetroitRelease is slightly delayed – although you can’t control the setback, how do you stop external noise and stay focused?
I keep a good support system around. Whenever I slacken, I will hold me accountable. Literally, that’s a real family. (Pointing at his younger brother and sitting outside the room)
Do you spend a lot of time with your family? Are they back to Detroit?
Yes, most of my family are back in Detroit. Three of my four siblings were there. I am the oldest. I often stay at home in Detroit, but I have been to New York City recently. I’ve been back and forth a lot.
What do you think of this lifestyle?
it depends. A lot of times, I get along with it, but sometimes – especially now, when I just dropped the album, I just want to be with my family and celebrate with them. However, I appreciate all the trips.
In a recent interview, you compared the way you make music with the way a designer makes clothes. Can you say more?
The biggest thing about this mentality is that I refuse to throw away any ideas. I stick with a lot of shit and just hide it until I feel like it’s right and it won’t be recorded or released. I’ve had some songs on New Detroit for two years now. Sometimes I would write like two lines, just write them down and not get back to them until two weeks later. I rarely finish a song on my first attempt.
How do you know when a song will be completed?
I’m not. (laugh) It wasn’t until this time was used up that a lot of things were done. This is the case for most songs New Detroit. There is no list or anything for each song. More like, “Okay, time is up.”
Are you a perfectionist?
No! Not even that. I will only find blank space in the songs I want to build. Or, I’d hear or see someone doing something super hot and then like, “Damn, I should do something like this” and try to reinterpret it in my own way.
What are you listening to now?
Honestly, anything isn’t rap. I’m heavy on jazz – all Detroit classic shit. I’ve been listening to Michael Franks. In addition, a lot of family music.
When I was a child, I was surrounded by music. When did music become a passion for you, and when did I decide that I wanted to make music?
When I was in elementary school, my grade had a Christmas show and I got the rap part. My parents saw this and were very excited about it. I’m still around me and all my friends are around me, which is really special. But yes, that was the moment embedded in my love for music.
How do you describe your relationship with your fans?
I don’t see it as an artist’s relationship. I see it more as a relationship between people. I’m still new to the whole “I’m Being My Fan”. Where I come from, approaching everyone’s reputation in my own way, so “meeting fans” is not even a fan interaction.
Garrett Bruce
Tony Seltzer Some New Detroit. How does working with him affect you?
Brothers really just show love. I owe him a lot. From day one, I never wanted to work with anyone I personally don’t know, and he was one of the first people to show so much love. When I met him in person, we just clicked and it all made sense.
You’ve landed Earl sweatshirt So early in your career. What does that mean to you?
That’s big. Even if it was just in the same room with him – that was crazy. He is one of the greatest rappers alive in my opinion. It blows my thoughts. It just reequips my new love for art – not necessarily I lost it, but it reminds me of how much I want.
Who else do you have inspiration besides music or music?
This is not even the real “who”. This is even more so the shit I see around me. I’ve watched a lot of movies. I’ll watch an old ass movie and wonder “How does this come to life?” The idea makes the battery create on my back. However, the musical aspect is Michael Franks. I will cheer Michael Franks for the rest of my life (laughs). Andre 3000 It’s another big one. When I was young, I was big Crete. Yes, of course, the Count.
You recently attended Fashion Week in Paris – Is fashion a passion for you? What is your favorite tag?
must. Yohji Yamamoto It’s my favorite all along. Magira. Maikun. I like a lot of Japanese stuff.
Do you design clothes?
100%. Once I have time. I don’t want to feel like I’m calling it.
Apart from that, do you have any other accompanying tasks?
Yes – I went to the Arts University. I made a drawing collection. So once my time is clear, I’m tempted to do more art.
At this point, how do you conceive the visuals of this album?
Actually, it’s just me (acting on an idea) and then keep sitting for a long time to see if it exists. With the dog pattern from this album, it really sticks to me and almost became part of the “New Detroit” mentality.
At this point, you’ve talked a lot about the concept of “New Detroit” and how to think of it as a Renaissance, almost coming out of the city. Tell me more about when you came up with this idea and how it developed.
It was born from me, making music, and there seemed to be no connection. Then, it started working, and I thought it was a random social media comment and it started the concept. The comment didn’t even say the word “New Detroit”, but it just motivated something in my mind, like, “OK, my music resonates.” In a sense, “New Detroit in Detroit” is definitely like a Renaissance, and it’s a bunch of new ideas that I brought my own gifts, but it’s also a tribute to the ancient and Detroit I heard when I grew up. Detroit’s identity is really important to this album.
Electronic scenarios in Detroit, especially the slum type, have had a significant impact on the project. Why is it important to rely on this influence?
I can’t call myself “New Detroit” or I don’t include Ghettotech, I’m going to this city. That’s very important. That’s the music my mom would listen to. The generation in front of us listened. This generation listens now. That shit is so important. Music has different effects. I need to include it.
Are there any other types here?
Many different styles with urban rap scenes. On the electronic side, if it’s not Ghettotech, it’s home music. Currently, Detroit has a lot of talented DJs.
How do you feel about people labeling you as “underground”?
I have no idea. It’s cool underground. The nature of the music industry has put me in a little bit of a dilemma. I don’t know where to put my stuff. I’m lucky that a lot of people tend to be mainstream with me and to underground f*ck with me. I’m just doing me.
“I can’t call myself ‘New Detroit’, or I don’t include slums in slums. It’s very important.”
The first song on the album is “Soldier” and the last song is “Survivor’s Sense of Condemnity.” Is survival the subject of the project?
100%. Honestly, I don’t even intend to put them in that order. I think that’s what makes it even more special. I have made a lot of F*Cking songs and the most cohesive songs stand out. “Survivor’s guilt” was the first thing I recorded and ultimately made.
Why is this an important concept?
I mean, damn it. That’s just some real Detroit shit, some real inner city shit. I feel so lucky to be working out in my life in a positive way, but a lot of the people I make this album are grown up. You have lost a lot of people. You will see a lot of people making bad decisions.
Are there any other key themes for the album?
A lot of them are imitating my adult stories. Theme is like growing up, getting older. With it comes relationships, money stuff, family shit-all-all. So, this project is my reflection on this in my own little mysterious way.
What else is obvious about Detroit throughout the album?
I don’t even know how to explain it. When I’m outside Detroit, people don’t always know I’m from Detroit, but Detroit can tell right away. It’s just the way we carry ourselves – some kind of talent from there. So it’s hard for me to answer this question because to me a lot of things are just regular shit, which is not a manifestation to me at all.
How to work closely with the Detroit Legend Baby face Impacted you?
That’s a consolidator. This is poetic. Get along with another person, from you. He taught me a lot of shit around him. He pulled onto my hood. Be with my people. In my grandpa’s restaurant. You cannot copy.
What is the ultimate sign of your success or “success”?
I just want to keep making projects that I’m really proud of and as I grow up, I hope my influence becomes even greater. I hope that in five to ten years, “New Detroit” is an empire that becomes something that expands my city.
