Le1f Is Influenced By Video Games

Revelling in the maelstrom of excitement created by an upcoming international tour and the recent release of debut LP Riot Boi, emergent US rapper/dancer/producer Le1f is "hella busy" right now. Currently juggling tour prep with a series of other projects — including the assembly of some fresh, typically tripped-out music videos — the openly gay 26-year-old, born Khalif Diouf, is experiencing a satisfying spike of hyperactivity.

"It's been really awesome," he says. "I can't wait to set off on tour and show everyone around the world. It's really crazy for me to experience how different audiences react to my work. It's been a while [since I've travelled extensively] too, so I'm looking forward to it. It's a pretty exciting time for me right now."

"My work has all kinds of influences, from other rappers, to video games, to politicians and old literature."

Following a slew of much-hyped politically charged EPs, Riot Boi feels like an emphatic punctuation point concluding the first phase of a blossoming career. Upon a celebratory aesthetic of textured bubblegum bounce, Le1f continues along his forged path of important intersectional surveyal, contemplating homophobia, racism, transphobia and the white gaze. It's a fascinating exercise in both exuberance and opposition, a weighty declaration from a queer performer whose community is only now being offered a spot in the hip hop mainstream. Though the album ostensibly gestures toward the riot grrrl feminist movement of the '90s, Le1f says, like he and much of his work, its conception and development cannot be so simply defined.

"I think it is more about trying to find where my voice and music is," he says candidly. "The album was definitely inspired by riot grrrl's music, being super expressive and political, and though it's obviously not rock music it has many of those similar [countercultural] ideals. However, I try not to be too consistent about being influenced by any one person. My work has all kinds of influences, from other rappers, to video games, to politicians and old literature. I mean [feminist author and activist] bell hooks is a reference for much of Riot Boi, but so is [female UK rapper] M.I.A.. It takes a lot of words to make a rap song, and so every track, every stanza, every line has so much meaning and inspiration. As I go forward, I'm trying more and more to put influences and styles which seem separate into my art."

While bent on initiating critical civil discourse, the New York native is unworried certain listeners may be distracted by his music's clubby outer layer. Interestingly, for all the different facets of society informing such a composite acumen, his overall creative philosophy is extremely simple. "It's important to say something worthwhile, but really, I just want to help people have fun!" Compelling and cheeky, Riot Boi achieves this in spades, rejecting various social frameworks without being overtly preachy, all while sounding "really freaking cool".

"I do think people can still listen to my music, and really relate to these stories, moods and feelings, despite the fact there is a carefree air. Yes, there is a story, and yes there are hidden messages in my music… but first and foremost music needs to sound good! I want people to have a good time, so [helping facilitate that] is always going to be my aim."