The Soul Behind the Sound: Interviewing the Talented Leah Writes
By Anaya Balkcom
Music is a language that transcends cultures and generations. Whether through lyrics, beats, or
artists, music is a universal link that allows people from all generations and backgrounds to
become one. Artist Leah Writes is one of many artists who uses her music to connect with the
world around her. Whether she is singing about her own experiences or experiences felt by
others, her words and unique flow captivate listeners and leave them wanting more. Recently, I
had the privilege of interviewing the talented Ms. Writes and learning more about the artist
behind the music
Anaya: Hello and welcome, Miss .Writes! To start us off, please tell the readers a little about
yourself.
Leah Writes: Of course! I go by Leah Writes; I’m from California, specifically the Crenshaw
district. If you’re not from Cali, The Crenshaw District is a unique neighborhood in the Los
Angeles area. I love my city and where I come from. So much of my music sound embraces that
real LA culture. I’ve worked with music since I was nine; music has been my passion forever.
I’ve always loved writing my ideas out and turning them into classic records. I’m also the
mother of an awesome 8-year-old son. I love giving great energy out to the universe and being
surrounded by it. My goal is to continue to share my talent with the world and stay being the
best Mother I can be to my son.
Anaya: That’s beautiful! You stated you began working with music when you were nine.
What started your initial love of music?
Leah Writes: My mom is a DJ, which allowed me to be around music straight out of the womb.
Plus, my dad had great taste in music as well, so the moments I spent with him, I got put onto a
lot of great oldies, and he played a lot of Tupac. And can I add, having a mom as a DJ is one of
the coolest things ever; I have always been exposed to music. She always had a home studio,
also. When I was younger, she used to record local artists in the city. So, she was one of my first
inspiration as to how I got started with music. For me personally, I was also a shy kid, so
singing was never the goal; songwriting was the goal. However, when I was nine, I was in the
bathtub making beats with the water and called my mom in there. I ended up coming up with
something and singing the words for her. She thought somebody else had made it up until I let
her know I literally had just created it. From that day forward, I knew I wanted to create music.
Being able to confidently express my thoughts or feelings that others can relate to on a track has
always given me joy.
Anaya: What does your creative process look like when writing music?
Leah Writes: I’m the songwriter who can write wherever and whenever. I create most of my
greatest sounds in the bathroom or driving (lol). I’ve made great music, you know, in the studio
as well, but I could go for a walk and start creating a banger. But I’m also 420-friendly, so I
smoke, and that also plays a part sometimes in my creative process; when I’m by myself, I can
kind of just come up with stuff off the rip while having a smoke session. Professionally, in the
studio, I have a team, and sometimes we’ll play a beat, or my manager TG, who is a dope
producer, will make a beat off the rip; my squad and I are just throwing out ideas at that point.
Prior to getting with my team, though, I was just writing songs solo. I come from just writing
music in my room or my home studio, but now that I have a team, the process is a little different
because I get to hear other people’s ideas and mesh them with mine. I love collaborating and
hearing other people’s ideas, too. That’s an exciting part of the creative process for me. I’m not
the artist that’s like, I only want to write my music, NO. I love people chiming in on ideas. It’s
cool to hear different ways of saying the same thing, whether with wordplay or even the
cadence of the bar. That’s a little insight on my process when it comes to writing music.
Anaya: It is truly a gift to be able to create lyrics. Also, hearing other people’s ideas and
combining them with your own is a gift. Collaboration is not always easy.
Leah Writes: Yes, it can be hard out here for people who are not open to others. I’m a student
always. I never know it all, even as dope as I am. People always tell me, “You hard; you so fire”,
but I never stop learning. Like, I’m going to learn something from you today. I will never put
myself in a position where I think I know it all. That also plays a big part in the creative process,
just being open-minded.
Anaya: I agree. You can always reach new heights when you are open and willing to be a
student. With that said, you have a unique music style. Are there any artists who have
influenced this style?
Leah Writes: Definitely, Nipsey Hussle and Jhene Aiko. Those two artists come from the same
area as me; they’ve always been in my headphones, period, point blank. So, you can always
count on me to show love to them and their artistry. I love Alicia Keys and a long list of R&B
groups. However, West Coast music period has just helped mold my sound. My mom was
specifically an RnB and Hip-Hop DJ; she started in the ‘90s, and I grew up listening to that good
‘90s RnB and Hip-Hop. That helped cultivate me into the artist that I am, but for sure, Nip and
Jhene are my two top artists.
Anaya: Your ability to articulate your emotions through music is so powerful. Articulating
your feelings can be difficult because you don’t want to come off as telling too much. You are
on that line between sharing your emotions and making them relatable to others.
Leah Writes: You hit it right on the nail; that is exactly what I do. When I’m writing, people may
ask, “Is that song about me? Is that song about your ex?” My answer 9/10 is most likely NO. I
probably didn’t experience this, but I’m a great storyteller. I had so many composition books
where I wrote all types of verses when I was 13, things I had never experienced. Bits and pieces
of my music now may be things I’ve gone through, but I like to take things that are, like you
said, relatable to everyone. I wish the naked eye would realize that sometimes artists have not
experienced some of the ideas they write about. It’s simply the art of creativity. That’s why I do
what I do: to be able to tell these stories. Sometimes, I will take a beat, and if it’s something on
my chest that I personally went through, I’ll write a song about it.
Writing has become that voice for me. As I mentioned, I was a shy person. When I felt I didn’t
have a voice, my pen became my voice. I look at storytelling as my way of putting my emotions
on paper. Even with me losing my brother, I have a song on “Lyrical Therapy” titled Not Goodbye,
and that was dedicated to him. Going through that transition of losing one of my big brothers
and still having to put a project together was one of the most emotional roller coasters I’ve ever
been through, but thank God for music. I was able to go into the booth and create something
specifically for him, yet everyone can relate to it. I had people express to me I made that song
right on time because they lossed their grandma or a parent. That is why I do music. It’s about
not being afraid to let your feelings be heard. Some artists like to put on facades as if they have
it all together. No, I’m human. I crack sometimes when I sing; I don’t always remember every
single lyric. I go through trials and tribulations. I don’t have it all together, even though it looks
like that sometimes through socials. Even on my social media, though, I’m very transparent and
let people know I’m not perfect. I don’t have baby-smooth skin; I have breakouts and acne
marks. When people get to know me, they see I’m down to earth. So, with all that tied into my
music, I feel like I’m able to relate to people better through my music.
Anaya: Can you tell us about the creative process of your album Lyrical Therapy?
Leah Writes: Some of the songs I recorded a year or two ago. A lot of times, if you are in the
music industry, you know a full album takes time. We’ll sit on records for three years and put it
out; some songs I already had in the vault. Others like Not Goodbye, that was fresh off the grill;
I went through an emotional rollercoaster, that’s why we gave it the title “Lyrical Therapy.” It
takes you through the therapy of these emotions where you’re happy, then you hear the song
“Stupid,” and you’re like, forget that person that treated me bad, then you have the song
“Feels,” and you’re like, oh I wanna party, and I feel good, and then it gets to the song “Oasis,”
and you’re feeling sexy then you’re dealing with grieving the loss of a loved one and you get to
breathe a little with “Not Goodbye.”
The creative process was a roller coaster; even with “Ocean Floor,” I made Ocean Floor in my
room. I had a session with Tubbz, a talented writer on my team. We co-wrote Ocean Floor, and
we had a writing session at my crib where we just hooked my equipment up, and he hooked his
computer up, and we just went off the dome writing and singing. I fell asleep during the
session. Tubbz stayed, and he was still writing and picking beats. I woke up, and he sings the
hook to what is now titled Ocean Floor; and I immediately wrote the verse we recorded, next
thing we knew, it was a hit. Every song wasn’t created in the big fancy studio. We had to do a
lot of eliminating songs. I have a lot of songs, and unfortunately, we can’t put it all on one
project. It takes time to mix and master everything. With Lyrical Therapy, we picked those eight
songs and pushed forward. Also, shoutout to the features, too; I have Zoe Osama, Ease the Don,
a female rapper named Nilla Allin, and Xian Bell, my label mate, Mike Free, one of my high
school classmates also featured on the project with a dope production on the track titled
Fragrance, to all the amazing producers and writers on that project. I had such a fantastic time.
Although I was going through grieving the loss of my brother, too, so a lot was going on, but we
made it happen.
Anaya: What Do You Feel Makes You Unique as an Artist?
Leah Writes: I’m not afraid to just be myself; as I mentioned before, I feel that many artists have
this thing where they want to put on this fake persona, and I’m like, Nah, I drive a Honda. I’m a
single mom of a fantastic eight-year-old that I co-parent. I’m coming from a homegirl
around-the-block perspective. I feel like also coming from Cali, I’ve heard a lot about L.A. music
being “trash” and “L.A. music is not poppin,” but no, we have great talent out here and are still
one of the front runners for this music industry. Cali music and West Coast sound will never go
out of style, in my opinion, because we are pioneers of certain sounds in this music game.
Where I’m coming from, the Crenshaw district, you don’t get your everyday RnB singer like me.
People probably expect me to rap when I say I’m from here. You don’t picture this wholesome,
down-to-earth chick that can sing about anything. I’d like to say I’m an artist that can remain
who I am and still put out fire material. Like you said, I can still bring my influences, and you
can hear that influence, but you’re always going to get that Leah Writes. So, being able to be
solid and remain myself and not fold is a big thing for me in this industry. People are talking
about “They Sold their soul,” but I’m not selling anything. I’m being myself until the wheels fall
off, and I believe that’s why I still do what I do. Many people have passion for things and then
lose that love and end up doing something else. This is God’s plan right here; this is a gift from
God that I have. Then, you eventually become a believer in yourself more than anybody else
and start manifesting that and living in your purpose. Being able to be myself is unique to me as
an artist, and I’m bringing this to the game.
Anaya: What are some memorable moments you had in your career as an artist so far?
Leah Writes: There are so many! I was able to do a song with Kurupt, which was something that
I never thought was going to happen. I shot a video with Kurupt, and hearing him say my name
on a track was memorable as heck! That right there was everything, and I’m grateful to this day.
I was featured on my girl Liddy Michelle’s song thanks to my sis Ashbashtharapper, she threw
me a lob with that one; I’m forever grateful. Another memorable moment for me would be
when I did the 3
rd annual Music and Media event, curated by a phenomenal black woman
named Khrissy B she curates so many dope events in Cali. She has this event called Music and
Media, where she brings the media platforms in the same room with all the music artists. She
invited me to perform, which was amazing because I went viral that day for C walking; my
debut EP, “Lyrical Therapy,” also dropped that same day. I had the opportunity to meet Chuck
Dizzle, DJ Hed, and DJ Battlecat, three amazing pioneers in the music game out here in Cali. I
have connected with Chuck Dizzle through his lives via Instagram when I would submit my
songs to his lives, but we had never met in person. I’ve always known who DJ Hed was but had
never met him in person, either. I had the chance to meet so many prominent people at that
event and got the opportunity to perform and showcase my talent as well. It was just a moment
I will never forget. Also, I want to thank Khrissy B. for that; she did her thing, and she does it
every year, so I can’t wait to be invited to the next one. Being in the rooms I’ve dreamt about felt
amazing because I was with many known artists, producers, DJs, A&R’s, and many other
different creatives…just a dope event, and I’ll never forget that moment.
Anaya: We spoke about your memorable experiences, but we know that does not come
without hardship because it prepares you for the next chapter. How do you handle the
challenges or setbacks?
Leah Writes: For me, music has been that therapy; however, sometimes, when I am going
through things such as grieving, I have my son also that keeps me super motivated and takes
me into a place where I can just forget about things, kids are so precious to this world. He
doesn’t know, but he’s been a muscle that keeps me from focusing on certain setbacks or things
I’m going through, so for sure, my son. Also, I’m a big advocate of weed. I smoke, and weed has
been a relaxation time for me. That’s been my way of keeping calm and at ease. I’m aware that
weed affects everyone’s body differently, but I’m just one of those functional weed smokers who
don’t look at smoking weed as a bad thing; that’s just what I like to do. I also enjoy taking walks
too. I love nature, hiking, going to the beach, and seeing greenery. Those things help keep me
grounded. A new thing for me also has been going to my brother’s grave site, which has
become a place of peace for me. Where his grave is located, it is a very peaceful place where you
can just put your yoga mat out, sit right there, and be at ease because that is my only way to get
as close as I can to him, without him being here. My brother’s grave site has been a place of
peace for me during these recent couple years in my life.
Anaya: I’ve experienced grief, and I understand how it can be an up-and-down roller coaster.
One day, you feel fantastic; the next, you don’t. Having that as your way to decompress, I
think, is so amazing.
Leah Writes: Yes, and it takes so much. Many people would tell me I’m so strong and ask,
“How am I doing it?” But in my head, I’m like, I don’t even know either. I’m just going with the
flow and know life can’t stop because I also have a kid to raise. As much as I would love to
break down and have that moment, I’m giving myself that time, but I’m also still staying on top
of what I need to stay on top of, which is my responsibilities as an adult. I know sometimes we
can let the death of people somewhat take a toll on us, and I know my brother wouldn’t want
that. I will push through until the wheels fall off because he was one of the biggest supporters of
my music. In my head, our last conversation is what sticks with me. Our last conversation was
us telling each other we love one another and how proud we were of each other. I take that
moment, and that’s what’s pushing me.
Anaya: It’s beautiful that you had that as your last conversation. In the previous question, we
briefly discussed being true to yourself, but you know we are also human and can feel the
world’s pressures. Have you ever felt the pressure to conform to society’s standards?
Leah Writes: I am a strongminded woman; nobody will make me do anything to follow the
trend. Now, there are certain things as far as sexiness; I firmly believe in not showing too much
skin to make people want to watch you. However, as a grown woman growing into my
sexiness, I may want to show a little skin, but I’m still tasteful. But, like I said, I’m still true to
myself, and nothing will make me fold. I don’t give a damn what the trend is; I don’t give a
damn if ass-shaking is what the majority of people like to see women do; that’s not what I’m
going to do. I always feel like I’m not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s okay because
I’m creating my own lane and attracting those who are truly attracted to my artistry. Sometimes
I have thoughts of, “Damn, I’m not doing what these people are doing. Is that going to mess me
up or push me back?” However, I’m never doubting myself. I do think about certain things,
certain trends like I’m very natural, so I don’t wear makeup every day, but you look at these
artists and these tv shows, and it looks like, “Damn, y’all are wearing caked faces everyday”
how are you doing that? I have no idea, and first off, I can’t afford it now to do every single day;
I’m an independent artist, and I don’t know how to do my makeup, lol. That’s not how I grew
up; I grew up loving my natural face. To this day, people will tell you I’ll go to an event with no
makeup just because my parents taught me to love myself first. But I am a brand now, and I
must step outside every day, knowing I’m Leah Writes. People might see me and want to take
pictures, but it’s never a pressure on me to do what everyone else is doing. I just do me.
Anaya: With that in mind, if you could give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
Leah Writes: Don’t worry about what others think and stop pleasing people. I was a people
pleaser for so long, oh my goodness, to the point where I didn’t care about my happiness, and I
just wanted everyone else to be happy, and that’s not okay at all; I don’t recommend that to
anyone. I don’t care how much of a sweetheart you are or how big of a heart you have because
that was me, Miss Sweetheart, and I’m still a sweetheart; however, now I have boundaries. I
have learned things about myself that people will take advantage of, and I cannot allow people
to continue to do that. I would tell my younger self not to worry about what others think and do
not feel like you have to people please. Worrying about what others think will put us in
positions where we feel like we can’t be ourselves and always worry about what that person
will think. I don’t give a damn, do you! That’s what I would tell young Leah.
Anaya: You’re absolutely right. Ultimately, we are left unhappy because we are worried
about pleasing everyone else.
Leah Writes: They didn’t deserve that part of us!
Anaya: Exactly! Now that we have discussed what you would say to your younger self, what
would you want your listeners to know about your music?
Leah Writes: I would like my listeners to know I take my time and I’m a firm believer in quality
work. I want them to know I’m doing that specifically for them. I’m not just putting out
anything. I have a passion for this, and as much as I care about myself and my music, I care
about my listeners, too. I’m going to present the highest quality work to you all at all times. I
want you all to know I’m coming from a solid space. I’m very solid, coming from being just
your homegirl from around the way and a realist. I’m not trying to sell dreams through my
music; I just want your average person that catches the bus every day to put my music on and
be like, damn, I feel where she’s coming from.
I want my listeners to understand I’m giving you quality music because you matter. I want you
all to feel it in your souls the way I sing it out of my soul. Also, I have a kid now, so I have a
bigger audience; I’m not just singing for the adults. Now I have kids coming up to me talking
about “Can you play Ocean Floor?” and I’m like, why are your parents playing Ocean Floor for
you? (Lol) How do you know this song? However, the kids love music; they hear the sound and
feel the beat. Even my son knows my music but he doesn’t know exactly what I’m talking
about. He’s about to get to that age where he’s going to ask what this means. Or why are you
saying this? I’m a very transparent parent; I’m not sugar-coating stuff, not that I’m exposing my
son to stuff; no, there’s a boundary. However, if he asks me, I will explain to him in the most
kid-like way what’s happening, and if I must shift the story to make it in his world
understandable, I’ll do that. I might start making nursery rhymes because they can’t listen to
Ocean Floor, but yes, quality matters.
Anaya: As you stated, young women and kids are listening to your music now, even teens.
Teens can be confused because they’re wondering if they have to show a lot or if they should
stay true to themself. You’re showing that you don’t have to expose yourself. It reassures
them!
Leah Writes: I’m glad you mentioned the young women because I want to be that role model. I
look at Alicia Keys and think she’s been a great role model for us just outside of her making
music. Just how she carries herself. We don’t know the background or the nature of her personal
life, but just what we’ve seen on the surface. She is a great inspiration, and I love how she
carries herself as a woman, especially in that era when she wasn’t wearing makeup. I just want
to let my young girls know they can have a little edge to them while being beautiful in a tactful
way. I have so much edge; I still wear my gold hoops. I just make sure I do everything in a
tactful way that is respectful to me. Not for anybody else, but to ensure you have respect for
yourself. I have a niece, one niece, and I want to be that role model for her so she can be like,
“Look at how my aunty does it.” Maybe she’ll feel like, okay, maybe I can take how I like to do
it and mix it in with what my aunty is teaching me and still be yourself. I greatly support
women, seeing each other thrive, and being at peace and collaboration rather than competition.
There’s only one Leah Writes, and there is only one you. I can’t do what you do and vice versa,
so let’s all use our gifts and be one.
Anaya: What do you think your legacy in music will be?
Leah Writes: I would love for my legacy to be known as being a great writer. I’m going to be a
household name. We’re working on manifestation, and my goal is to be a household name. My
goal is for people to be like throw on that Leah Writes. I feel like “Not Goodbye” will be in a
movie one day, just like the Missing You from the movie Set It Off. I want people to understand
that I’m just coming from an authentic place; I’m a real woman, I’m not a robot, I’m not a part of
the Illuminati or the things people create to try to distract you from true artistry. I’m just a
woman who fell in love with music at a young age, and I want you guys to continue to feel that
from me. I also want you guys to continue to play my music. I want to hear it twenty years from
now. I want to leave that legacy behind, even for my son. He’s so proud of me and one of my
number-one fans, and it’s cool that he gets to grow up saying my mom makes great music.
Anaya: I can see your music on a movie soundtrack, and I do not doubt that we will play
your music twenty years from now. Lastly, what would you like readers to take away from
this interview?
Leah Writes: I would like you guys to take away the fact that there is a new RnB Queen in town.
As long as I’ve been doing this, I’ve been considered a new artist at this point in my career. I just
dropped a debut EP, “Lyrical Therapy”, so that was my first project under my management,
Drastic Measures, that we’ve dropped. That’s like my introduction to the world. I want people to
know that Cali still has great talent. I am an RnB Artist, and we are coming with the thunder.
Leah Writes is here to stay, and I hope everyone enjoys the music and can play it at any time for
any occasion. This is that real feel-good RnB. Not the overnight microwave RnB. I’m bringing
back 90s vibes mixed with the 2000s, and we’re taking it to the top. I’m also very grateful to my
team; at Drastic Measures, I would like people to know that music is not done by just one
person. It takes a team of people to do this, so shoutout to my squad! I also want to create a
youth center. I love the youth, and a goal of mine is to create a youth center where I was raised
in the Crenshaw District. The youth center isn’t all about music; it’s just opening our youth’s
eyes to more things. Just by learning at a young age, there are a vast number of opportunities
out there. We need scientists and doctors. We need to bring resources from areas our inner-city
kids may not be exposed to, encouraging them to leave their comfort zone.
Anaya: I would like to thank you for being so candid about your feelings. I can’t wait to hear
about your community projects and musical endeavors. I wish you nothing but success.
Leah Writes: Thank you so much for this, Anaya. I greatly appreciate you doing this interview
with me looking forward to us doing a follow-up!
