The FADER’s longstanding series GEN F profiles emerging artists to know now. In the bustling streets of DUMBO, Brooklyn, 20-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Laila! is a whirlwind of creative energy. Whether she is styling her own outfits, directing candid photoshoots, or seamlessly switching languages to assist tourists, she maintains a singular focus on her craft. “I’m very specific about my shit,” she says, adjusting her curls. “I like having my hands in everything.”
A Rapid Rise to Recognition
Laila! burst onto the scene just two years ago, quickly establishing herself as a formidable talent. Her self-produced 2024 debut album, Gap Year, introduced the world to her infectious sound, anchored by the viral hit “Not My Problem.” The track’s success led to a whirlwind of touring opportunities, including support slots for Kali Uchis and Mariah The Scientist. Despite her rapid ascent, Laila! remains grounded, crediting her mother for instilling a no-nonsense work ethic that protects her from being taken advantage of in the industry.
I’m very specific about my shit. I like having my hands in everything.
Defining Her Own Narrative
As she prepares to release her sophomore project, We’ll Never Be This Young Again, Laila! is eager to show her growth. The 12-track record serves as a sonic time capsule of her late teens, blending electric guitar riffs, ’90s R&B influences, and playful experimentation. When asked about the “nepo baby” label—given her father is the legendary Yasiin Bey—she is quick to dismiss the narrative. “My dad is very uninvolved in my professional career, for lack of better words,” she explains. “I just feel like it doesn’t apply to me ’cause that’s not what happened.”
Instead, she points to her own journey of discovery, which began in her bedroom during the 2020 quarantine. Teaching herself beat-making software out of necessity, she began uploading tracks to SoundCloud under the moniker “baby genius.” Her musical palette is vast, drawing inspiration from icons like SZA, Janet Jackson, and MF DOOM. Reflecting on the surreal moment she played her new music for SZA, she notes, “It was just crazy to be like, Holy shit, you fuck with my album?“
It was just crazy to be like, Holy shit, you [SZA] fuck with my album?
With We’ll Never Be This Young Again arriving on October 23, Laila! is ready to embrace her role as a soundtrack for her generation. “Being the soundtrack to somebody’s life is fucking lit,” she says, eyes bright with the anticipation of what comes next.
