Leikeli47

Leikeli47 (or Leikeli) is an American rapper Until 2024, she was known for concealing her face with a bandana or balaclava at all performances and professional appearances.

Early life Leikeli was raised in both Virginia and New York, primarily in the Virginia and Brooklyn neighborhoods of Danville, Norfolk, Brownsville and Bedford–Stuyvesant. She has described herself as having been a shy child who was interested in becoming a rapper from a young age. She cites Michael Jackson and N.E.R.D. as some of her favorite performers. This was followed by a string of releases including the sequel mixtape LK-47 Pt. II in 2014 In 2015, Leikeli's song "Fuck the Summer Up" was included on Jay-Z's inaugural Tidal self titled playlist.

Leikeli's first full-length debut, Wash & Set, was released on September 8, 2017. It was received positively by critics. Afropunk.com wrote, "the album showcases Leikeli47’s distinctively hard-hitting yet playful lyricism, genre-bending musicianship, and enigmatic character." Darryl Robertson wrote for Vibe, "the dynamic, and featureless, effort is loaded with creativity, vigor and the power of her own feminism. It's evident that Leikeli is aiming to break rules and push boundaries hip-hop."

Acrylic was released on November 15, 2018. The title was inspired by her mixture of southern, Caribbean, and city roots. and on the first season of The Wilds. The album received positive critical reviews. Jenn Pelly wrote at Pitchfork.com: "Her flow is always gripping, her details novelistic: An aunt sells candy from a windowpane, an extension cord snakes across a hallway, and the lights flicker in an E train tunnel." Acrylic was named one of NPR's 50 Best Albums of 2018, as well as other lists including Paper Magazine, Esquire, and Forbes. Acrylic is the second part of a planned music trilogy that Leikeli has developed, called the "Beauty Series". She has stated that she seeks to normalize Black beauty standards, such as decorated fingernails.

Leikeli performed with Pharrell during his I Am Other set at 2017's Complexcon, as well as Natalie Portman's Boston Calling set in 2018, held at Portman's alma mater Harvard University.

Her first headlined tour began in March 2019.

Leikeli47's third album Shape Up was released on May 13, 2022 and received positive reviews. Pitchfork.com gave the album an 8.0 and wrote "The anonymous Brooklyn rapper's third album is a little bolder and a little rawer, but it's her versatility-across hip-hop, ballroom, house, and R&B-that keeps her sound fresh."

In October 2024, Leikeli47 announced her fourth album, Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only, would be following in the future months. On October 25, 2024, she released 450 as the lead single. The video was shot in black-and-white, and shows Leikeli47 removing her face covering and performing public for the first time. The album was released on 13 June, 2025.

Personal life Leikeli is known for being private and has not released her legal name or performed without her face covered. In June 2019, she told Cultured Magazine, "Being black, we gotta learn how to wear a mask early." When asked about the meaning to her name in an interview with Snobette, she said that "it’s special to me, but I don’t need to share the reasoning behind it."

According to an interview with Vibe, she conceals her face because "I feel like the Dark Knight, or one of those superheroes, or Superman… the mask, it represents freedom. I'm free with it on."

Discography Studio albums Wash & Set (2017) Acrylic (2018) Shape Up (2022) Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only (2025)

EPs Leikeli47 (2015) Design – Acrylic (2018)

Mixtapes LK-47 (2010 First / 2012 Final) The Flower Shop as Told by Brett Elway (2013) LK-47 Pt. II (2014) LK-47 Pt. III (2015)