LELO’S A REBEL WITH A CAUSE.
Only a couple of weeks after droppin Mastiff:Pink Tiles (Deluxe), Detroit’s leader of the “New Detroit” threw a show for free99. Lelo teamed up with Fuck Cancer, a non-profit org that focuses on prevention, early detection, and supporting people with cancer. The mans put on a good ass show, and after locking in for about 1 hour, you can tell this man cares not only bout his craft but is trying to push boundaries.
His fans flocked to Gramercy Theater. A crowd of the youths was wrapped round the whole block most of em dripped in pink in support of Breast Cancer awareness month but also on brand for Lelo’s latest album. As I walked inside, I went straight to the merch table where Lelo had exclusive merch with all the money going straight to Fuck Cancer. Next to the table was a board for people to write on and show support along w. ribbons to pin to the board.
Shoutout to the youth. They showed up but for Lelo and a really good cause that’s bigger than internet shit. Waiting for the show the DJ and I’m guessing his homie had em moshing early. Spinning bangers from the classics like Chief Keef “Save That Shit” (which to my surprise, the youth knew word for word and was rapping that shit loud) to Lucki “Super Urus”. Makes sense ppl who fuck with Lelo no matter they age got taste. He is an artist that pays homage to ones before him. He even flipped Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/Love Below cover for the deluxe. His style is refreshing asf. The fact that he fucks around with different styles is fitting for the Outkast reference. On one disk he brings a cool, chalant flow filled w bars over atmospheric experimental trap beats. A darker grittier sound. On the other, he got more of the uptempo Detroit ghettotech-infused tracks that gets ppl moving. You can tell he is an artist that is intentional with his craft and cares about the cultural references that inspire him to create new shit. In a Billboard interview in June he talks bout some of his references. From personal life to Detroit culture and even the cult classic film Phantom of the Paradise (1974).
When he came out, he had to tell ppl to back up cause the crowd was already frantic. Just before a beat came on, everybody chimed in on chanting Fuck Cancer along w. Lelo. The first track starts and everybody locked in instantly. Phones out yet singing along and vibing. He def did a lil bit of everything from his catalog. Tracks like “XP” and “Hughes”, some New Detroit shit, then tracks from the deluxe. Seamlessly switching between songs from “Dolla Dream” to crowd fav “Last Time” to dance bangers like “Get Geeked”. Flow state.
A newer artist that deserves to be in the spotlight. His sound is innovative yet sorta familiar to anybody who fucks w. the underground scene buzzing rn. He doesn’t shy away from paying respect and preserving Detroit’s rich music history through the “New Detroit” movement he is pushing and pioneering. It’s an ambitious task but I’m here for it. From what I know off of last night and some interviews he’s done — he got the right mentality, talent, and authenticity to lead this new gen of hip-hop. As long as he keeps doing him.
Afterwards bro had a recorded impromptu set outside the venue w. his friends and fans. Mans is for the people, preserving musical roots, innovating a new movement, choosing not to conform but reform AND helped raise money to support cancer. Why wouldn’t you fuck with a Rebel with a Cause.
