Read the full interview on YoungCalifornia.com!
Leigh Paris isn’t just up next because he says so, he lets his music for itself. Hailing from New York and wearing his Belizean roots on his sleeve, the rapper and singer has been steadily making a name for himself, drawing audiences in with his charm, swag, and lit personality. At only 18 years old, the “Wood Grain” rapper already has his eyes set on the goal: to be one of the best to ever do it. Read more…
Now, he celebrates the release of his debut EP titled 5500, which represents himself and everything he believes in. Bridging the gap between melodic rap and NYC’s hardcore lyricism, Leigh Paris stays in his own line and remains true and authentic every step of the way.
For those who don’t know, who is Leigh Paris?
I’m from NYC, I’m 18 years old. I just released my first project 5500. I’m going crazy. I’m with my crew, we’re getting around the world. We mobbin’ right now, going state to state.
Where do you fit in the realm of hip-hop and R&B?
I am hip-hop and R&B. A lot of my songs are melodically forward. I mix the rapping with the singing, so my music speaks for both.
You’re from New York, how does that play into your life and career?
New York is real fast-paced, real cutthroat. I like to go hard in what I do. Every state I go, you can tell I’m from NY. I like to bring my New York aura to anywhere I go.
What was the household like growing up? I see you got your family with you.
I have a big family, very supportive mom and dad. No matter what was going on, everyone in my family always made sure we kept going with what we wanted to do. My brother plays basketball, he just came from playing ball overseas in Spain. My sister is a designer. My mom makes clothes herself. Pops is just a hard worker, a hustler. It’s all built into me. I’m the youngest, I take from everybody.
Talk about your journey with rap, when did you start?
I started rapping when I was very young, but didn’t record my first song until I was 12. It was a remix to one of Meek Mill’s songs. Instantly after that, I recorded a lot of studio songs. Just kept it going.
How important is it to come to LA as an up and coming artist?
I’m not going to lie, it must be important because I just came 2 days ago and had this really big show. Shared the stage with Chief Keef, Rae Sremmurd, etc. As an up and coming artist, you can’t say that’s not important. LA might be very important but I’m trying to go everywhere. Every state.
Talk about the Gunner Stahl show, I was there for a minute.
It was dope, I was actually the first opener. Really the up and coming artist, everybody after me was established artists. The crowd loved me. I made a name for myself. I got to show the few people in LA who already knew me what I’m about, then all these new kids who I met. It was dope, I got to share the stage with some dope artists. Gunner’s cool, I really liked it. I would love to do it again.
What’s your relationship with Gunnar Stahl?
We actually met because of his talent. He’s a photographer so he took some photos of me. We be in touch. That’s my boy. I’m proud of him, the show came out dope.
At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
Soon as I started. I’m not into anything else. If you know me, you knew “oh yeah Leigh Paris, he’s a rapper. Leigh Paris, he’s a singer, a star, a model” — whatever it is. I always knew this was my lane. Of course, I finished high school just to be knowledgeable, but this has been my lane since forever. I was 16 and had big music back at home. Always knew.
What was the inspiration behind your name?
My name is Leigh and Paris is the capital of fashion. I’m very into fashion, so it’s Leigh Paris.
How would you describe your fashion sense?
I’m unique. I don’t really care what anyone says. I could do this style one day, and the next day do that. I’m not subjected to one thing, I like to switch it up. You never know what I’ll throw on, I could look good in a lot of things.
You’re not boycotting Gucci I see.
No, I’m definitely boycotting Gucci. [hides Gucci bag] I stand for my black people, we are boycotting Gucci! Anybody who got a problem.
Bring us back to the days of “Garden On The Gucci.”
That was big song, I was 16. One of my singles I just put on SoundCloud. I didn’t know it was going to do what it did, but it went up. Opened a lot of doors for me. I went out to Atlanta following the record and got to meet a lot of artists out here. A lot of networking. I put out my first project just recently, so it all built up from that. It’s just a part of my story.
Congrats on your debut EP 5500. How are you feeling?
Feeling good. I can go on any stage and perform my set now that my music’s out. That’s what’s important to me. It’s streaming, my fans are listening to it. New people are getting to know me and listening every day. Now that my music’s out, I can showcase who I am. Go to different stages, different cities and give them Leigh Paris.
Talk about the creative process & how long it took you.
Really just trying to find out who I am. Take all the different sounds I like and make them into me. If you listen to the music, I got some turn up songs on there, love songs, songs in the middle. It’s taking everything I like and combining into one, giving people who I really am. I record music very fast and I record a lot. The oldest song on that project is from 2017, and the newest songs are in 2019. It’s a span between the music but that’s because I picked what songs I wanted.
What’s the significance in the title?
5500 is literally me. That’s my birthday: May 5th, 2000. That’s my day. I got it tatted on my forearm. I got a chain with the 5500. That’s all my fans know, “5500! 5500!” That’s me. We might get a 5500 2 and a 5500 3. That’s my stamp in the industry.
I love that “Wood Grain” samples Shyne. Talk about bringing your Belizean roots into your music.
My mom’s from Belize. I’m very into my culture. As you can see, I got a Belize shirt on now. New York, Belize are all tied into one, just so it could make sense. The record came out really good, it’s a dope record. It’s actually viral in Belize. Viral here too but definitely big in Belize. I’m on some radio stations out there.
I’m glad I bridged the gap between the two. I’m from America (from New York specifically) then Belize, I bridged the gap right between with my music. That was just one song, Belize will get a lot of music from me where they feel “okay, this song’s for us.” “Wood Grain” is not the first one.
What was it like shooting the visual in Belize?
Being there. The best part was my grandfather. He’s 89 years old, had a duffle bag in his hand and he was dancing. Beautiful.
Is he aware of your career?
He knows what’s going on. He’s super swaggy.
What is it you want fans to get from your story?
That I’m a young kid from the suburbs who didn’t have it all that much. I strategically watched what other people and was like “okay I want to do this.” But I actually went and did it. I didn’t just say “I want to do that,” and watch other people do it. Literally every day, I’m putting myself in these positions so I can change my life, change my family’s life. I’m still working now, grinding everyday. You can literally do anything you want to. I told myself I wanted to be a rapper, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m not going to stop. I want them to do the same.
What is your take on the music industry?
I’m not all the way in the industry. Even if I was to be all the way in, I have a close-knit team, a close-knit family. I’m not worried too much about the outsiders. I know the industry is fake, but that’s nothing that we can’t deal with. Use people for what you need to use them for, talk to people for what you need to speak to them about. I’ll just be in my own lane. I’m ready to be at the top of the industry.
What are some goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?
I just want to get down packed with everything that comes with being an artist. Make sure my show is bananas, Travis Scott level performances. I want my music to speak. It does, so I don’t really try to put too much pressure on myself about “what’s the next song gonna be?” Or try to chase the next hit. Hits come. My plan for my music career is just to grow, find myself even more. Figure out what these people like and what they love me for, what they want to see from me and literally execute.
You’re so young, do you have a mentor at all?
I don’t have a mentor. I do have a lot of people around me who keep me structured and keep my head on right, so that definitely helps. I got big brothers around me a lot. I definitely keep a level head and stay humble. If it were to be anybody influencing me in music, it would be Chris Brown.
Who is your top 5?
Chris Brown, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Future, and Young Thug. He’s the GOAT.
How is your fanbase here compared to New York?
It’s definitely bigger in New York because that’s where I’m from, but it’s growing here too.
Do you want to move to LA at any point?
I don’t know if I want to make the move to LA. I definitely want to stay out here for a longer period of time then just a show weekend. I’ll stay out here for a month or 2. Get some things done, get in the studio, but I wouldn’t leave New York to come to LA.
What’s a normal day in the life? Walk us through.
Anything can happen. I could be shopping, in the studio, going to an interview, then going to a performance. I could be going to support one of my artist friends who has their performance. I try to put myself anywhere I want to be, in the right areas and the right places. I never know what’s going to happen with this life, that’s why I love it. That’s the beauty of being an artist or having no job and working for yourself, being your own entrepreneur. Yesterday, I was at Bella Thorne’s house for a party with Desiigner. A day in the life for Leigh Paris, you just gotta be there.
How important is social media for your career?
It’s important for your career, post-working. Meaning my social media will get larger when I’m out. People will see me and say “okay he just performed, I really liked his music. I really like the way he looked, the way he bodied that show. What’s his Instagram?” They’re always going to go so they can stay in tune. But for any new artist, don’t focus on the fact that your social media’s not growing. Get out there, put your music out, and your social media will grow.
3 things you need in the studio?
Weed, water, and a good engineer.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?
If I had to pick, I’d be a model — maybe. I’m not even tall, so I’d just be a picture model. An actor, but that ties into music too much. Literally, I’m an artist from head to toe.
Favorite song to perform in a set?
“Lumineers” just because it’s calmer than my other songs. I could really sing to the crowd. It’s one of those songs I don’t lose my breath, I can take my time. I like performing that record.
What’s the best encounter you had with a fan?
I’ve had fans see me and literally cry. Some shows I’ve performed and the whole school is rushing out behind me, I can’t get out. I can’t get in the car. It’s like movies stardom. It’s super cool. Every encounter is good. Even if they just come up to me and say “hello, I really like your music, can we take a picture?” I like stuff like that. I like knowing that these kids look up to me or they enjoy my music.
Who’s the most played artist on your phone?
Drip or Drown 2 just came out, so Gunna.
Dream collab?
Chris Brown. 5500, that’s his birthday too. May 5th.
What advice do you have for an aspiring Leigh Paris?
Don’t give up. There’s those days where there’s no one watching you, days where there’s no one paying attention, then those days come where you feel like every eye is on you. I’ve had days where I’m like “nothing’s gonna happen for me,” then I’ve had days like “my life’s going to change.” These things will happen, literally just keep going.
Anything else you want to let us know?
I’m still working, Leigh Paris is next up. I’m coming with the heat, the look, the energy, the vibe. Please look out for me, 5500.
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