Welcome to Laila!’s World

When Laila! was just four years old, she penned her first song titled "I'm Going to Do What I Want to Do When I Want to Do It." This phrase has remained her guiding principle ever since.

Over the past year, Laila! has emerged as one of the most talked-about artists under 20, largely on her own terms. Right from the start, she scored two viral hits: her ethereal debut track "Like That," where she seamlessly blends rapping and singing, and "Not My Problem," a song with a catchy hook and memorable lines like "Now I got the juice, Passion fruit and guava juice." After a viral appearance on On The Radar in June, Cash Cobain remixed "Not My Problem," turning it into an old-school mixtape hit, with artists like Big Sean, 6LACK, KARRAHBOOO, and others adding their own verses. Cash Cobain dropped the "Problem" remix last week, perfectly setting the stage for Laila!'s debut album, Gap Year, slated for release on September 6th.

However, Laila!'s music is just one aspect of her rise to fame. There has also been significant interest in her background, particularly the rumor that the Brooklyn-born singer and producer is the daughter of the legendary rapper Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def). Laila! confirmed these rumors in an interview with Complex earlier this month.

"He is my dad; the rumors are true [Laughs]," Laila! told Complex. "Whenever we would jam and vibe out, I always had my own style. I always had my own thing going on, and he's always been like, 'OK, kid, I see you.'"

It’s evident that Laila!, who is still only 18, is embarking on her own musical journey, striving to carve out her own path. However, the comparisons to her iconic father are undeniable. The album cover for Gap Year bears a striking resemblance to the Black on Both Sides artwork; she self-produces nearly all of her music; she can rap or sing depending on the mood; and her music is clearly influenced by classic R&B.

"I grew up listening to a lot of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson," Laila! shared. "They were my first musical obsessions. I used to watch every music video, every interview, from the moment I had my own iPad or TV. I would try to mimic their dance moves, and I was just so into it. I loved the performance. You could tell they loved what they were doing, and that captivated me."

Complex sat down with Laila! to discuss her journey to fame, her musical upbringing, conversations with Tyler, the Creator, and more.

What music did you listen to growing up?

"I listened to a lot of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. They were my first musical obsessions. I would watch every music video, every interview, from the moment I had my own iPad or TV. I’d try to replicate their dances, and I was really into it. I loved their performances because you could tell they were passionate about what they were doing, and that enthralled me. Later, I started watching Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey. At eight years old, I was trying to hit every riff and run. My mom would joke, 'Girl, give it a rest.' But she knew it was what I wanted to do. My sister always jokes about how, when I was a kid and couldn’t sing yet, everyone was like, 'OK Laila, you’re going to be great.' Now it’s nice because I’m doing what I love and can actually carry a tune. I spent so much time studying the artists I admired."

Do you remember the first album you learned?

"The first album I really got into was CTRL by SZA because I was in middle school then. When I was younger, my mom would play albums all day long—Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Aaliyah, all the greats. But I didn’t start exploring albums on my own until I began streaming music. Before that, I was just listening to individual songs. Even when I was obsessed with Michael and Janet, I was more focused on the songs I loved and studied them intensely. But in middle school, CTRL by SZA was the first album I fully immersed myself in."

Did it mean even more to you when SZA liked your social media post recently?

"Oh, absolutely. When I saw that, I was like, 'Oh, this is amazing.' I couldn’t believe it—I was so happy. It was a really cool moment because it’s SZA. I saw her live on her SOS tour at Barclays, and it was emotional for me. Hearing the songs you love in a room full of people at the same time is an intense experience."

Do you play any instruments?

"I play the trumpet and keys, but I’m not classically trained. I taught myself, so there’s still a lot I want to learn. I can also play a bit of drums."

How did you start producing your own music?

"I began producing during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was 14, and my freshman year of high school was on Zoom. It was so depressing, being on a screen, not meeting new people. But my mom decided we wouldn’t stay in New York during the lockdown, so we moved to St. Thomas for half a year. I was attending Zoom classes from the beach and spent a lot of time at home. That’s when I decided to try making something. I was listening to 'Awkward' by Tyler [the Creator], and there was this unreleased Frank Ocean version on YouTube that I thought was cool. I started singing along and then thought, 'Why don’t I try making my own version of this song?' That’s how I made my first beat."

You seem to share a deep interest in music production with Tyler, the Creator.

"Yeah, he’s really cool. He reposted my song 'Soft Serve' from my mixtape on his story, and then we chatted about all the riffs and runs he loves. He’s super cool, especially when it comes to keys. There’s a certain type of imaginative mind you need to come up with those melodies, and he has that."

What other passions and hobbies do you have besides music?

"I love fashion, graphic design, creating mockups, and playing with textures and colors. I also love writing, which is where my passion for songwriting and song structure comes from. I was always good at English in school. So my main hobbies revolve around clothing, photography, and graphic design."

Your song 'Like That' went viral right before you graduated high school. How did that impact your college plans?

"When 'Like That' started gaining traction, I was amazed by how incredible the internet is. I never imagined something I made in my room, something I was initially too scared to share, would blow up. My older sister Nia encouraged me, saying, 'This song is good, just put it out there.' And it caught fire—it was insane. After that, I thought, 'Maybe I’m onto something.' Seeing people respond to it was beautiful. Then, after graduating, I realized I was in the real world. I had always been eager to leave high school to pursue music, but when I finally graduated, I was like, 'What now?' I didn’t take applying to college seriously because I just didn’t care—sorry, Mom [Laughs]. I missed the application deadline. Regardless of college, I was going to pursue music 100%, so I decided to take a gap year."

'Not My Problem' is very R&B-influenced, but 'Like That' features more rapping. How would you describe your sound?

"My sound is heavily influenced by R&B, with Brandy and Aaliyah being my favorite artists. I think my music takes inspiration from the soul and melody of R&B, making it feel romantic even when it’s not. I love R&B, but I always end up making it my own. It’s hard to describe. Even with rapping, there wasn’t a specific genre I was aiming for. People have said 'Like That' has a nostalgic feel, like a ‘90s song, and that’s cool because I didn’t intentionally go for that. I was just inspired by what I loved and made it my own. My music has a tang of nostalgia with something fresh and new."

How did 'Not My Problem' come together?

"It started as a freestyle. I made a beat, then remixed it into this hood trap-inspired jerk vibe, which became the basis for 'Not My Problem.' I was playing it for my sister, and she said, 'Yo, that’s hard.' I was going to scrap the beat, thinking it was corny, but she convinced me to keep it. So I started freestyling, went to the studio, and everyone agreed it was the next song. I just freestyled from there, coming up with the bridge and second part at the end. We were just having fun."

Did you expect 'Not My Problem' to go viral?

"Not that quickly. I knew the song was special because it made everyone move, but I didn’t expect it to blow up so fast. It was instant, unlike 'Like That,' which had multiple moments of resurgence. 'Not My Problem' went viral immediately, which was just crazy."

What was your reaction when 'Not My Problem' started blowing up? Do you have a favorite remix?

"I love all the remixes. I can’t pick a favorite. It’s surreal to see so many artists I admire on a remix of a song I made freestyling. The internet is amazing in how it brings worlds together. I could never have imagined having artists like 6LACK, Anycia, Karrahbooo, Flo Milli, and Luh Tyler on a remix. It’s been fun to see how it’s all come together."

"I also started a beat challenge for 'Not My Problem,' asking producers to remix it, and SoundCloud went crazy. Remix after remix came out, so I made a playlist. Then Cash Cobain remixed it, and I thought, 'This is crazy.' It’s cool to bring back that challenge vibe."

Who has been the most surprising or exciting person you’ve connected with so far?

"Meeting Brent [Faiyaz] was a cool moment because, like SZA, he was someone I listened to a lot in middle school and who inspired me. We met in Paris during Fashion Week, which was super cool. And Teezo [Touchdown] was one of the first to show love. I opened for him on the last night of his tour in New York, and it was amazing. He’s so sweet, kind, and genuine. He was really excited to have me there."

There has been some confusion about your connection to rap. To clarify, is Mos Def your father?

"He is my dad; the rumors are true [Laughs]."

Did you learn anything from him about your approach to music?

"I’ve always been my own artist, and that’s something I appreciate. Even as a kid, when we would jam together, I always had my own style. He’s always supported that."

What does success look like for you?

"I already feel so blessed and successful in many of my dreams. Success is something you can’t touch or see, but you feel it when you realize you’ve accomplished something or touched people’s lives. I felt successful when I hit 5,000 streams because I was doing what I loved. Now, seeing so many people love my music is an overwhelming feeling. I’m so thankful to everyone who listens to my music. Making people feel something is the biggest win for me. Making my family proud is also huge. Seeing my mom and grandma’s pride, especially when they saw my billboard, means everything to me."

Where do you hope to be a year from now?

"I want to take things to the next level. I want to have the best new album, perform on countless stages, visit new countries, and have even flyer outfits. Everything I’m doing now, but times ten. I want to be a Complex Cover star, get a car, and spoil my mom with a new one. That’s where I see myself in a year—just 10 times flyer."

Edward Morton

Edward Morton is a passionate music blogger known for his insightful reviews and eclectic taste. With a background in both classical music and modern production, Edward brings a unique perspective to his writing, blending technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for all genres. He started his blog, "Norton's Notes," in 2015, quickly gaining a dedicated following for his honest, detailed critiques and his ability to uncover hidden gems in the music world.

Edward grew up in a musical family in Seattle, where he learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age. His love for music led him to study music theory and composition at the University of Washington. After graduating, he worked as a freelance music producer, which gave him an insider's view of the industry and fueled his desire to share his insights through writing.

Edward's writing is known for its eloquence and depth, often exploring the emotional and cultural contexts of the music he reviews. He is a regular contributor to several well-known music magazines and websites, and his work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR Music.

In addition to his writing, Edward is an avid vinyl collector and hosts a weekly podcast where he interviews musicians and industry insiders. His ability to connect with artists and convey their stories has made his podcast a favorite among music enthusiasts.

Outside of his professional life, Edward enjoys hiking in the Pacific Northwest, attending live concerts, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. His passion for music and his commitment to sharing it with the world continue to inspire his readers and listeners alike.

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