Khadi Lee
In this interview, Khadi Lee opens up about growth, vulnerability, faith, and the emotional cycles that shape both life and music. From Cleveland to Los Angeles, his journey is one of discomfort, experimentation, and deep self-reflection — a path that gave birth to his LVR Boy identity and his upcoming project Still The Same LVR Boy, out on March 13th. Blending R&B, pop, soul, and intimacy, Khadi speaks honestly about love, heartbreak, mental health, and what it truly means to succeed in today’s world.
His latest single “So High” is now available worldwide, offering a late-night, heartfelt glimpse into the emotional world behind the project.
Hi, how are you today? How are you feeling right now, in this moment?
I’m great actually today I feel really refreshed and centered.
For those who are just discovering you — what’s your story?
I’m Khadi Lee an LA-based artist and songwriter hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. I turn my feelings into sounds, its literally like my life is a loop of infectious melodies. My wring is rooted in vulnerability and the confidence of being ok or not. For me it isn’t just making songs—it’s building a world with impact you can feel. From participating in church and school choirs as a child to competing in talent shows, music has been a consistent driving force in my life. I moved to LA in January 2023 to take things full time and signed a distribution agreement with Greater Than Distribution/Virgin Music Group shortly after in 2024 keeping my independent artist control.
You’re originally from Cleveland and now based in LA. How did that journey shape you, both as a person and as an artist?
Coming from Cleveland, Ohio, moving to Los Angeles shook me to my core. I wasn’t prepared for the tears, the fear, or the long moments of uncertainty that came with chasing a dream in a city that never slows down. There were times I questioned myself, but in that discomfort I found GOD, my strength and learned how far I could really push myself. The years 2023, 2024, and 2025 became a necessary season of experimentation—testing sounds, collaborating with new writers and producers, a 20 city national tour and most of all allowing myself to grow without fear of failing. Through that process, I realized my music could only truly land coming from a place of honesty and vulnerability. That’s when my “LVR Boy” identity fully took shape—not as a pop-culture stereotype, but as a reflection of everything I’ve built, survived, and continue to become. By blending R&B, pop, and Afrobeats, I’m creating something deeply personal, something that sounds like me, and introducing my story to the world exactly as it is—real, evolving, and rooted in love.
Your music blends modern R&B, pop, and soul, with a very cinematic yet intimate feel. How did you develop that sound?
Developing my sound has come with stages of experimenting, trying new things and being pushed so far outside of the box with critique its uncomfortable. Finding the sound you hear forced me to find my voice to stand for myself and trust myself! After all of those stages my heart has made the space to be vulnerable and believe
Your upcoming project Still The Same LVR Boy explores growth, repeated cycles, love, and self-reflection. What inspired this body of work?
Honestly, my life!! I’ve been in a space where I’ve grown and seen so much in many different aspects! However, still feeling stagnant in other aspects of my life. The desire for love burns bright and heavy for me, however keeping it well that’s another story…
The title suggests change, but also constancy. What does “still the same” mean to you at this stage of your life?
This is a really great question and it’s weird in a sense of I just was speaking with my management about something very similar and for me still the same in terms of my life and the stages I’m in means acceptance. Not acceptance the way the world expresses but acceptance the way that God expresses, loving your flaws and all.
This album feels deeply personal, yet very universal. Was that balance intentional from the start?
Honestly, having you say that it feels very universal is one of the biggest compliments I could receive because for me it just feels very personal like I’m writing in my journal and hearing you say it feels universal means that you’re connecting and identifying with all of the emotions that Im expressing! I want people to hear the music and be able to apply it to themselves and feel understood because that’s where we’re stronger.
Your first single “So High” feels like a late-night confession. What emotional space were you in when you wrote it?
When I wrote so high, I was in a space of yearning and what I mean by that is I was desiring to be in love! That’s when I started to realize the addiction that you can have to that feeling you get when you love someone when things are good and you are pouring into each other.
Across the project, you explore love, heartbreak, desire, and honesty. What theme felt the most confronting to sit with?
Heartbreak for sure by far!! I think societal pressures are built into us young as young boys, and when you become a man actually admitting that something has broken your heart is life shattering! Over the years I’ve learned to be on defense and to kind of push things away. So writing these songs that encompass heartbreak was like reliving something that you’ve never even actually spoken about so it’s like really being in that moment all over again!
What are your thoughts on today’s music industry? If you could change one thing about it, what would it be — and why?
I think today’s music industry like anything else is a given and take. They’res a lot of areas where growth can be held. However, I do feel that there are some great areas where things are excelling in terms of artist creativity.
If I could change one thing in the industry today it would be the push for Artist to be influencers. I think being an artist and being an influencer too completely separate things. Artist do hold influence but I think it’s huge ask of artist and I think it robs the fans and supporters of that mystery. I remember when Rihanna first came out I was so intrigued by her and so in love with the mystery around her and a lot of that was because I didn’t know so as a young boy, seeing this amazingly talented, beautiful woman, I could then have thoughts of what she would be like or what it would be like to meet her.
The industry can be intense and overwhelming. How do you stay sane in this crazy music industry?
I don’t, sometimes it drives me crazy! And sometimes it feels like a disaster and an ugly mess. Then there are times where it brings me so much joy and makes me feel so fulfilled that I forget about the craziness. I think that’s just life!!
On a daily basis, how do you take care of your mental health and protect your inner world?
Wow, this is a great question. I have started allowing myself to feel and what that means to me is if I need to fall apart, I fall apart! when I’m feeling excited and robust I’m gonna go out and be that!! I feel myself growing into a person that’s so emotionally stable i don’t recognize myself sometimes because I worry so much less!
Looking back on your journey so far, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned — about music, love, or yourself?
I would have to say the biggest lesson is all encompass into one and it’s trust! You have to trust yourself and you have to trust your instincts, and you have to trust that mistakes will be made however, you will grow from those mistakes and you have to trust that in growing from those mistakes, you will become exactly who you need to be to accomplish everything that you’re setting your mind to!
Has your definition of success changed since you first started?
It has, my definition of success has absolutely changed. I’ve learned that success is more inward, not outward. It’s not the cars, clothes, money, events or award shows. When your inner self doesn't feel feed (successful) you still feel lost, empty and unfulfilled.
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place right now?
The world needs empathy right now! Real empathy that comes with love and kindness and compassion and forgiveness!
What do you hope listeners feel — or understand about themselves — after hearing this project?
I really hope that anyone that listens to the project feels closer to themselves after listening to it. I really want it to be something that people can connect to and puts them in a space to rethink, feel, revisit, forgive compromise and give empathy not just to others but to themselves.
If you could leave listeners with one feeling or one sentence, what would it be?
Let it all fall apart, the rebuild stand stronger!
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