Lee Lewis
Lee Lewis was raised in the historically Black neighborhood of Ladera Heights and, coming from a family of academics, being musically inclined came by surprise. Enrolling in the prestigious Colburn School of Performing Arts at a young age, a vocal teacher encouraged him to pursue classical music, where he refined his baritone voice to one day join the professional opera ranks. After high school, Lewis landed at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music to study classical voice.
When it came time for the classical performer to transition to a studio recording artist, improvising the raw emotions that give pop singers their unique vocal personalities presented a challenge. Lewis was used to rigorous classical training that emphasized vocal perfection. Under the guidance of producer Jon Joseph, the artist learned to sing with a variety of textures and degrees of softness to maximize his voice in the studio. His hard work shines through as his smooth riffs and runs have the magic to soften even the most hardened soul.
The opening track of his debut EP, "FUL,” is an acronym for "fucked up love" and it speaks to Lewis's yearning to feel something, even if it's not healthy for him. "Rockabi" is a confessional about a past relationship with a closeted married man, while "Willing & Able" delves into the complexities of wanting love that feels so certain but too long-distance to develop. Many titles are on the nose, such as "Sugar Baby," which shines a light on queer sugar daddy dynamics. "Delusion" tackles gray areas and mixed signals in queer dating situations. "You’re Gonna Kill Me" is a powerful song about coming to terms with a relationship that is emotionally and physically unsafe. Telling these stories wasn’t easy but Lewis feels it’s time for more queer-specific storytelling in pop.
A rising star gaining popularity at a time when Black artists are reclaiming genres that they created but were excluded from in the mainstream, Lewis believes that Black musicians should have the freedom to take up space and create music that truly represents their diverse perspectives and talents. “I just want to exist in both spaces, both the pop super commercial world and the world of R&B/soul. Black artists should be accepted in both.”