Lelo Is Building “New Detroit” One Banger at a Time
Lelo breaks down his new single, style, influences, and how he's earning respect from Detroit’s legends.
Lelo is at the forefront of a musical revolution in Detroit, having coined the phrase “New Detroit” to reflect the city’s evolving sound and his own artistic vision. With a foundation built on the influence of Detroit icons like Blade Icewood and Big Sean, he blends raw, textured beats with introspective lyrics, forging a path that’s uniquely his own. His breakout project No Contempt has solidified his place in the industry, while his global experiences, from shooting a video in Tokyo to performing at SXSW, showcase his expanding reach. As Lelo continues to push boundaries, his music remains deeply rooted in his hometown, a city he’s determined to reshape.
I caught up with Lelo to discuss his latest single, his influences, the Detroit legends who’ve influenced him, and what’s next for “New Detroit.”
“I Want ‘New Detroit’ to be something bigger than just me.
I want it to be a perspective, a vibe. Not just something you hear, but something you feel.”
Justin Staple: You coined the term “New Detroit, and it’s a thread that runs through your whole project. What does it mean to you?
Lelo: It’s really just my take on the city—my version of Detroit. Everyone’s got a different experience, but it all kind of gets boxed in. New Detroit is about shedding light on what I see and shifting the sound toward my own influences. Hopefully, it becomes an umbrella term for a whole new wave coming out of the city.
JS: What were you listening to growing up?
Lelo: Artists like Blade Icewood, for sure. That’s almost like a rite of passage in Detroit. Big Sean too when he hit the mainstream. But honestly, I tuned out a bit in middle school and high school, listened to more stuff from outside the city. It wasn’t until later that I really reconnected with the local scene—Los & Nutty, Cash Quan, Ray... they’ve all been holding it down.
JS: Were you networking online to get your music out there?
Lelo: Nah, not really. In Detroit, everybody kind of knows each other—but I didn’t have those connections. I wasn’t around anyone who “made it.” I just kept recording and putting stuff out. No real plan. Eventually, something stuck.
JS: Would you say “No Contempt” was the track that pushed everything over the edge?
Lelo: Yeah, that one definitely took it to another level. But it was more of a slow build. I had moments before that—little bursts of momentum. “No Contempt” just hit in a different way.
JS: I saw you just shot a video in Tokyo—what was that like?
Lelo: Crazy. Like stuff from movies I’d watch as a kid. I always felt this connection to Japan, but I didn’t realize how many people over there actually knew about Detroit—like, they knew about Dilla. That blew my mind.
JS: And I saw you popped up at Paris Fashion Week? That must’ve been another level.
Lelo: Yeah, it was surreal. I’ve always loved fashion, and just being around designers I used to read about—it was wild.
JS: Do those experiences seep into your music?
Lelo: For sure. Everything eventually comes back to music, whether it’s visuals, lyrics, or sound.
JS: With “New Detroit”, did you stay local when recording?
Lelo: Yeah, I felt like I needed to stay grounded. I didn’t want to branch out for this one. Just worked with people I’ve built with over the years and tried to make the most polished version of me right now.
JS: You've worked with names like Pi’erre Bourne and Earl Sweatshirt—what was that like?
Lelo: Huge. Earl especially—he’s one of the first artists that made me want to rap. Being in the studio with him was like crossing something off my bucket list. Same with Pierre, but that one happened more naturally. No big setup—just being in the right place at the right time.
JS: The new single just dropped, “2hollis”. Tell me how that idea came about.
Lelo: Man, it really just came from me sitting down at the mic. Sometimes I love making music that's cinematic, like a movie. That’s the direction I’m going for with the album. But other times, especially to warm up, I just like to talk my shit. That’s what this record is. It’s raw. Just back-to-the-basics type energy.
JS: Do you think the hook’s going to catch on and become a phrase? “From the hood but the bitch treat me like I'm 2hollis”.
Lelo: Yeah, it wasn’t even intentional. It just came to me—it felt right for the time. One of those lines that hits, you know? I definitely resonate with it, so I hope other people do too.
JS: Who’s behind your creative direction? The visuals feel really unique.
Lelo: A lot of it is just me grabbing different inspirations and meshing them into something that feels right—and fly. In a year or two, people will start to connect the visuals, the sound, the vibe—and associate it with me and Lelo.
JS: Are younger kids starting to look at what you’re doing like, “This is the new Detroit sound”?
Lelo: I don’t even know if it’s about a new sound. It’s more like a new wave. Right now, “New Detroit” is still like my child—I don’t want anyone to run off with it. But eventually, I want it to be something bigger than just me. I want it to be a perspective, a vibe. Not just something you hear, but something you feel.
JS: You’ve been getting love from people like Brent Faiyaz and Lucki. What’s that been like?
Lelo: That shit is crazy. I didn’t know anybody coming up. So when bigger names embrace the music, it means a lot. I haven’t talked to Brent, but just knowing he resonated with the music—man, that was enough. It motivated me to keep going. Lucki showed love early, before anything was solidified, before “No Contempt” even dropped. That meant a lot too.
JS: What are your goals for the next few months with this rollout?
Lelo: I just want to hash out the creativity. I want the drop to feel a certain way, look a certain way. This project is the start of me really stepping into being an artist. I’ve been around for a while, but this still feels like my rookie year. I just want to put it out and see how people connect with it.
JS: Any features? Or is it all just you this time?
Lelo: It’s just me right now. I want to build to a point where I bring others in—people I know personally who are great. But at this point, it’s just me, my producers, and folks I trust to add little elements to the sound.
JS: Are you planning to stay in Detroit or tour after the album drops?
Lelo: Definitely planning to tour. I want to see, face-to-face, who really resonates with the music—especially with how personal this album is. I think it’ll be powerful to connect that way.
JS: When you say "personal," what kind of themes are you touching on?
Lelo: My upbringing. Family stuff. Life—especially since things changed. I’m not holding back. I want people to really know me after this. Tracks like “New Detroit” and “Chasing”—those are super personal. I want to dive into that side more.
JS: What makes growing up in Detroit different from other scenes like LA or Houston? Lelo: It’s a culture thing. Like, New York has its own vibe. So does Atlanta. But Detroit—it pushes boundaries. You see how our sound is resonating across the country. People are embracing it. The fashion, the slang, how we move—it’s all unique. I think that shaped me into someone built for this lifestyle and this music.
JS: Are bigger names in Detroit starting to notice you?
Lelo: Yeah, here and there. I’ve heard through people that they know who I am or have heard my music. They embrace it, even if it’s not always public yet. But I’m working with folks behind the scenes—so that time’s coming.