On her newest EP Terracotta, released July 9th, Toronto native Lex Leosis wields a cornucopia of styles and genres that stake her claim as a strong, independent, and creative hip-hop artist. From the house music–influenced “Won’t Wait,” to “Wanted,” which sounds like a Gwen Stefani or Fergie track straight out of the early 2000’s, to the funky slow jam “Reality,” which could easily fit into the Minnesota sound of Rhymesayers artists like Atmosphere and Sa-Roc, Lex pays homage to a variety of influences. The DJ scratches she occasionally employs across the tracks are call backs to the 90’s hip-hop staple. And as a rapper her flow could be compared to the best moments of the Black-Eyed Peas superstar Fergie, as she is always assertive but can quickly and smoothly transition between aggressive and sensual. All of this points to the indisputable fact that Lex Leosis is not going to be pinned down to one musical lane.
Lyrically, Terracotta sketches Lex as a self-assured, queer, female artist who knows exactly who she is and has no shame in standing behind her identity, as she declares on “That Feel,” “At the end of this I gotta be me.”
The EP begins with disarming vulnerability on the opening track “Khrys’ (Intro)”: “I used to be free, I used to be fly, nowadays I just smoke these trees, they help me get by, and I really hate when people judge me, so I keep to myself, I feel like I can trust you more than anybody else, can we smoke the night away, smoke the night away.” This portrait of an artist pleading for someone to be present and wax cathartic with is sharply juxtaposed against the themes of the rest of the tracks, which feature a protagonist who has grown and evolved into someone both self-reliant and comfortable in relationships, on her terms.
Following that tender intro, she launches into the party starting and enfranchising “Won’t Wait,” with the hook “hell no, won’t do it, can’t help myself you need me more than I need you…won’t sit around waiting for you.” Empowerment is the name of the game on Teracotta, where Lex asserts her commanding strength and poise in relationships, her identity, and the rap game. If you’re looking for a rapper that empowers women without oversexualizing or exploiting them (ala Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion), do yourself a favor and check out this rising star in the hip-hop world. You can connect with her on Instagram and at lexleosis.bandcamp.com and spin her newest EP Terracotta on all streaming platforms.
-Alex Dye
Follow Lex Leosis on Instagram.
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