Leif Discusses Hyperdrill & Jersey Club Disco, Creatively Collaborating with Jersey Producers, Fashion Ventures, "Dream Girl Era," Sexy Drill Trends, & Personal Stories!
August 22, 2024Nyla Symone
Leif Discusses Hyperdrill & Jersey Club Disco, Creatively Collaborating with Jersey Producers, Fashion Ventures, "Dream Girl Era," Sexy Drill Trends, & Personal Stories!
Leif Discusses Hyperdrill & Jersey Club Disco, Creatively Collaborating with Jersey Producers, Fashion Ventures, "Dream Girl Era," Sexy Drill Trends, & Personal Stories!
Aug 22, 2024
Nyla Symone
Ever wondered how the fusion of hyperpop, Sexy Drill, and R&B samples can revolutionize the music scene? Join us as Leif takes us through the vibrant world of Hyperdrill and Jersey Club Disco, pioneering New York's next sonic wave. She not only breaks down her creative process and collaborations with notable Jersey producers like Ace Mula and MC Vert Project X but also shares her insights into the synergistic relationship between her music and fashion ventures. With Leif's innovative sounds and her role as a muse for Pat McGrath, and campaigns with Calvin Klein and Aeropostale, this episode is a feast for anyone passionate about boundary-pushing music and fashion.
Switching gears, we explore Leif's transformation into her "Dream Girl Era," a journey marked by inclusivity and relentless dream-chasing. Reflecting on collaborations with artists such as Cash Cobain, Lay, and Baby Tate, Leif reveals how these partnerships align with her personal playlist and the latest trends like Sexy Drill and Jersey Club. We also discuss the nuances of personal accountability, relationship maturity, and how astrological signs influence our interactions. From nostalgic childhood hobbies to our shared love for Korean dramas and K-pop, this episode blends musical innovation with heartfelt personal stories and light-hearted conversations.
Ever wondered how the fusion of hyperpop, Sexy Drill, and R&B samples can revolutionize the music scene? Join us as Leif takes us through the vibrant world of Hyperdrill and Jersey Club Disco, pioneering New York's next sonic wave. She not only breaks down her creative process and collaborations with notable Jersey producers like Ace Mula and MC Vert Project X but also shares her insights into the synergistic relationship between her music and fashion ventures. With Leif's innovative sounds and her role as a muse for Pat McGrath, and campaigns with Calvin Klein and Aeropostale, this episode is a feast for anyone passionate about boundary-pushing music and fashion.
Switching gears, we explore Leif's transformation into her "Dream Girl Era," a journey marked by inclusivity and relentless dream-chasing. Reflecting on collaborations with artists such as Cash Cobain, Lay, and Baby Tate, Leif reveals how these partnerships align with her personal playlist and the latest trends like Sexy Drill and Jersey Club. We also discuss the nuances of personal accountability, relationship maturity, and how astrological signs influence our interactions. From nostalgic childhood hobbies to our shared love for Korean dramas and K-pop, this episode blends musical innovation with heartfelt personal stories and light-hearted conversations.
Talk Soon! ✌🏾
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Speaker 1:
I wanted to move more into a new sound which I'm creating which is called Hyperdrill, which is hyper pop and sexy drill, and Disco, which is Jersey Club and disco. So this project is like the next wave of what I believe is going to happen in New York.
Speaker 2:
What's happening right now? Hyperdrill, yeah, and it's just more of the pop element yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1:
So right now Sexy Drill is a lot of like R&B samples and you know what I mean with the Sexy Drill pattern, which I think is like almost like a spin of New York Drill and Jersey Club, with different elements and different sounds, pioneered by, obviously, cash and, you know, I would even say Shawny Bin Laden, like he, like he's kind of the start of that, essentially, and I feel like hyperpop is something that's big and also rage, or whatever that kind of sound is that's coming out of New York as well, with girls like Aaliyah's Interlude and Bloody Clip, and so for me it's just kind of like a fusion of what's already happening in New York, but on a more pop, polished level, which is true to you, true to me, exactly.
Speaker 1:
And then Jersey Club Disco is just something that I just started making with like a lot of the Jersey Club uh, legends, or like people who created sounds in Jersey, like Ace Mula, who created Jersey Drill, uh, definitely got MC Vert Project X we're collaborating on some of that type of stuff Sito on the beat. So I've just been working with actual big Jersey producers and getting their opinion and being like hey, how can we pioneer this next version of club?
Speaker 1:
Hey, what's up? It's your dream girl, Leif. How are you? And my new project, dream Girl, is out now. What's up, nyla? We need to talk.
Speaker 2:
What's going on, guys? Nyla Simone here with another episode of we Need to Talk, and today I got a very special guest in the building. My girl Leaf is here. How are you? I'm good, how are you? I'm great, sitting pretty. Love this outfit to the earring combo.
Speaker 1:
I'm glad you pointed that out.
Speaker 2:
Like you in fashion. Thank you Hand in hand.
Speaker 1:
Thank you, I can see the same about you though You're always killing a look Well, thank you, I appreciate it.
Speaker 2:
But I've been seeing you Fashion Week, just fashion in general. That is like you're bad. Talk to me about that Outside of the music.
Speaker 1:
I see you heavy in fashion. Talk to me about yes, um. So right now I'm currently a Pat McGrath muse, which is PMG. Pat McGrath uh, I do like her beauty campaigns and stuff like that. But I've been I've been in fashion for a while, so I've done like Calvin Klein Aeropostale, I've done like all types of commercials and recently I just did Ice Studios with Brunelle, which I'm super excited to see. It was really cute and she's the best.
Speaker 2:
Great shooter. Yes, I love that.
Speaker 1:
Talented, gorgeous.
Speaker 2:
Awesome. As women, we love to see other women behind the lens too. I love it I feel like they just have a better eye.
Speaker 1:
They're not gonna make sure you look good. Exactly, I was like telling her that, like things that I was like insecure about, she's like girl, don't even worry about it.
Speaker 2:
Like that won't be in there see, I love that type of shooter. Amazing, all right. So having your style, as you know, it's one thing, but then finding your music style is a whole nother thing. Now, leaf when's. When was the last time we did? I think our interview was like before the pandemic, right yeah exactly Shit. That was like five years ago. Yeah, exactly, yeah. So fast forward. Here we are now. Who is Leaf? Where is Leaf at what?
Speaker 1:
era is this of Leaf. So this is like my dream girl era. I would compare it to like soft girl era. You know, I just compare it to like soft girl era. You know, I just named it differently because I feel like when people hear soft girl, they think something very specific, whereas dream girl is kind of like just being a woman or whatever you identify as, because it's inclusive. It's just about being someone who has a dream and doesn't settle for less. Essentially, for me, that looks a certain way, but for other people it might look different, you know. But for me it's about like enjoying myself, living my best life, being proud of my accolades and all the things I've accomplished and reaching towards the next ones.
Speaker 2:
I love that for you. Thank you. Dream girl era yes, yes, and you had Cash Cobain, lay, baby Tate, a lot of the niggas that's running it right now. Yeah, talk to me about why you picked them, or like the magic between you two on the records.
Speaker 1:
For me. I really wanted to collaborate with people I listen to. So this is my playlist. Like, what I put out is my playlist. She's like so the? You know, I feel like there's just like a certain sound that's happening right now. It's the sexy drill, it's the Jersey club and it's kind of the world that I live in. Right, I'm a New Yorker born and raised, but I moved across the water and I started collaborating with a lot of Jersey artists and then, obviously, leia's from Philly, but it's still that like club. You know, it's club. So, in that like movement across the water, I started experimenting with my last project, which was like no Freaky, and what was it called my last project? I can't even think right now, but basically, after that, I wanted to move more into a new sound which I'm creating, which is called Hyperdrill, which is hyperpop and sexy drill and Disco, which is Jersey Club and disco. So this project is like the next wave of what I believe is going to happen in New York what's happening right now?
Speaker 2:
Hyperdrill, yeah, and it's just more of the pop element. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, that makes sense, exactly.
Speaker 1:
So right now, Sexy Drill is a lot of like.
Speaker 1:
R&B samples and you know what I mean with the Sexy Drill pattern which I think is like almost like a spin of New York Drill and Jersey Club, with different elements and different sounds, pioneered by, obviously, cash and, you know, I would even say, shawnee Bin Laden, like he collaborated, like he's kind of the start of that, essentially, and I feel like hyper pop is something that's big and also rage, or whatever that kind of sound is that's coming out of New York as well, with girls like Aaliyah's Interlude and Bloody Clip, and so for me it's just kind of like a fusion of what's already happening in New York, but on a more pop, polished level, which is true to you, true to me, exactly.
Speaker 1:
And then Jersey Club Disco is just something that I just started making with like a lot of the Jersey Club legends or like people who created sounds in Jersey, like Ace Mula, who created Jersey Drill, definitely got MC Vert Project X. We're collaborating on some of that type of stuff, sito on the beat. So I've just been working with actual big Jersey producers and getting their opinion ear and being like, hey, how can we pioneer this next version of club?
Speaker 2:
That's fire, yeah, wait. So how long have you been in Jersey? They've already like I know. So people don. I know I'm crazy, Endowed with like.
Speaker 1:
So people don't really know, but I actually moved to Jersey like during the pandemic. Oh, okay, and during the pandemic is when I started working with my main producer, which is Cito.
Speaker 2:
And.
Speaker 1:
Cito's from Jersey, born and raised to like, get to where I am now. But like I was an early, like an early listener of Kookie Kwai, okay. Like, obviously like all that stuff back then. But I just felt like, okay, I'm not from Jersey, so I have to at least cement like my Jersey-ness before I just start hopping on and everyone thinks I'm like you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:
Like, I'm not one of those type of people.
Speaker 1:
I don't do that type of stuff, like I really believe in culture and I really believe in creating culture, so I would never tap into a culture that's not authentic to me, you know.
Speaker 2:
Amen, no, I love it. Good for you. Yeah, Hyper drill Okay, no, that's actually really fire, okay, okay. So with that, because you know Sexy Drill, they have like a whole language down to it too.
Speaker 1:
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:
Is Hyperdrill. Are you like trying to grow that to have the same thing, Like lingo dance et cetera.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, I mean yes and no. Like I think it organically happens. Like I feel like with Sexy Drill and also Club, it's not just going to be one artist, it's going to be multiple artists creating in that space. That creates the lingo, that creates the sound, that creates the. You know, I'm just starting it off, you know, I'm just like putting it out there, seeing what happens through it, and I think a lot of the sexy drill lingo, a lot of the club lingo, all that kind of comes from culture and New York and Jersey, and you know what I mean.
Speaker 1:
It just happens yeah, I don't think it's something that I could just sit down and write like today.
Speaker 2:
You know, I'll be trying to keep up with the lingo when I'll be talking to them and they'll be using words and I'm like huh, what is it? Oh, okay, I don't know these acronyms, I'm just, I'm just a girl okay, I feel you Me too.
Speaker 1:
I'm just a girl.
Speaker 2:
But okay, let's talk about Picky with Baby Tate Now. I know Baby Tate's from Atlanta, but she's good for a Jersey club type of record too. Talk to me about how that collab came about.
Speaker 1:
So it was actually through, like our teens. I just loved her music so much and I didn't realize that, like, like the head of my label actually had a close relationship with her manager. So when I said it in a meeting she was like, oh really, you want I'll send it over and see if she likes it. And she loved it and she got on it like super quick and then we shot the video and she's like so sweet, so it was just a vibe like she's really like such a just I love her chef's kiss.
Speaker 2:
Shout out to.
Speaker 1:
Baby Tate, she's a GOAT. She really is. She's so talented. Yeah, and Leigh too, leigh's really putting on for Philly as far as, like the ladies coming out of there and so raw and authentic, like when I shot the video with her. My little sister's actually in the video dancing and she like choreographed the dance. Oh wow, she's 10, so she's super excited about it. But Leia is so sweet, Like so sweet, and so Philly and I love it.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, I love it. Wait, that's actually fire that your sister did the coral. Yeah, she did.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, she was so excited about it. She like asked me like can I do it? And I was like yeah, know, and she ate that love that, oh my god.
Speaker 2:
Shout out to your sister, shout out to zoe um, okay, so we're in the dream girl era. What is the takeaway that you want people to get from this tape?
Speaker 1:
the takeaway. This is just the beginning of an era, so this is like the first of many dream state, dream girl, dream world projects. Um, but from this project as a foundation, I really want people to feel confident in themselves, like I made this project for you to feel confident. I made it so that, like, when you're getting ready, when you're gonna go take that big meeting, when you're about to like go meet your crush, whatever it is, uh, you put the songs on right and you visualize your dream life and you go get it. And that's what's really important to me. Like as a dream girl, including everyone in this dream world. You know what I mean. Pull up, be your dream self and go get what you love.
Speaker 2:
I love that, yeah. Affirmations right. Affirmations definitely, I'm a big believer in that. I need them. They get me through the day.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, me too. And it's kind of where I started. Like early in music I was creating like affirmation music, like I have a song called money which is about like getting to the bag, yeah, you know. So just bringing that back and like getting more into that world and getting more to my roots. Like you know you, you you're in this for a minute and then you're like, okay, but what are my roots for real? And I feel like I'm going back there right now and I'm really enjoying it good for for you.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, good for you. Yeah, you can definitely get caught up in trends. Yeah exactly, but what was the moment that made you realize? You know what? Let me get back to the roots.
Speaker 1:
So I had like this is like so deep right now. I had like a life or death moment I'm not going to get into details and you're like what the fuck? And I was just like what is true to me, you know. And then from there I was like Was it really life or death?
Speaker 2:
or you felt like it was life or death?
Speaker 1:
No, it was life or death girl, really, yes, I'm not going to get into details, okay, but had the life or death moment, yeah, okay, and me 100, you know, shout out to doing you glad you're doing that because and thank god, because you know, every day you have to be present essentially, amen, no, that's real, oh gee, and then honestly not to hop on it.
Speaker 2:
But as a woman in the industry, people have all these expectations like of you that you don't even really get to like, pick your own yeah, trust me, I have like a breakdown once a week over that, but it is what it is. It is what it is. You know what me and you both, I know, right, so it's, it's, it's cool, I get it, um, all right. So let's talk about the hopeless romantic Romantic record that has 105K views.
Speaker 1:
Oh, yeah, yeah, Going viral, I know, Talk to me about that.
Speaker 2:
What was the inspiration?
Speaker 1:
behind it. So it's really funny because it actually is a real situation.
Speaker 2:
Real life story yeah.
Speaker 1:
And the guy who I said the story about. I called him before I was like yo, I did this interview today and I did a little segment about you and I sent it to him because I didn't want him to be like surprised and he was like you should have went in harder because like I really fucked up and like you should have went on, like you know.
Speaker 2:
he said he, you should have went in harder yes, I actually love that because I didn't go.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, what I'm lucky. I really like I feel like I only date good guys, so like they know when they mess up. I love was like trying to keep it light because I didn't want the internet to like flame me and I didn't want him to be like put out there on the spot, yeah. But he was like you should have went in more, like you know that I messed up and you kind of covered for me, like you should have just fully went in on me and I was wait what's your sign?
Speaker 2:
I'm an Aries, so you would expect me to right, I would expect you to do it. Yeah, that, huh. What's your sign? I'm a Leo. Oh, leo, okay, happy birthday season, thank you, but yeah he's a. Leo too. Yeah, you totally should have went on, that's why he up. Yeah, he's a Leo, that's funny, okay. So, but did he enjoy it?
Speaker 1:
What he enjoyed it. Oh yeah, he thought it was really funny. He still supports me and we're still friends, but he just knows that he like fucked up as like a potential man, good for you. Yeah, I don't know how you do that. I mean because I keep things cordial, I don't really freak out about stuff, I just be like hey, a, b, jvc does not equal D, d is not happening anymore.
Speaker 2:
Okay, cool, you know I like it. I like it. It's admirable for me just because I can't do it. It took me time as a fire sign.
Speaker 1:
It took me time, Because I used to be like burn out everything.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, that's me right now.
Speaker 1:
I'm burning, I am quick to block, though, like early on though.
Speaker 2:
Like, if we get to a point where, like, there's good communication, then we're good, but if you do something and I don't like it, it's immediately okay, cool, shut out. So yeah, we're saving that one. Maybe I got some growth to do. It sounds like um, we need to talk. We play a game called questions that need answers, okay, so you just have to fill in the blank. Okay, the older I get, the less I care. Damn yo, we have to do. Everybody says care, the older you get, the less you really give a fuck.
Speaker 1:
Huh yeah I don't think so. All right, you should be my grandma. Huh, you should be my grandma. She does not care, she's wild. She's wild. I love it, not, I love it. She's a leo too. Look at this leo, leo, everything okay, yeah, shout out to her.
Speaker 2:
I love it too. Um, you would never believe me if I told you, hmm that's like a really open-ended question.
Speaker 1:
you've been. You'd never believe me if I told you that's a really open-ended question. You'd never believe me if I told you I only watch Korean dramas Korean dramas.
Speaker 2:
Yes, that's interesting.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, yeah, but not believe that, yeah right.
Speaker 2:
So what's a good one? If I'm new to it, what should I watch? I like anime.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, that's how it started, right? You watch anime, then you get through everything and then you're like, okay, what else is good? The titles be so like random that I really can't think of one. Okay, okay, but I could give you a list later. Okay, korean drama I love them. They're so like, overly like dramatic. Yeah, exactly, but is it subtitles or do they have the dubs? It depends, Like I usually do subtitles, but you can do dubs Okay.
Speaker 2:
I'm a dubs type of girl. I hate having to read.
Speaker 1:
It's supposed to be easy for me, that's why my homegirls can't get into it with me. They're like girl, you're sitting here reading for hours and I'm like, yeah, that takes focus. I started Like I could say like three sentences.
Speaker 2:
I'm actually not surprised though, because between that and like, if you start listening to K-pop, yeah exactly.
Speaker 1:
Oh, I love K-pop. Oh see New jeans.
Speaker 2:
Yo, yeah, I think we're all going to low-key. Be able to the way well I can like dabble in Spanish.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, with the.
Speaker 2:
Quito, you know what I'm saying, but okay, I can't believe. I actually blinked when I was younger.
Speaker 1:
I've seen this Because I was watching your and everybody says like really weird stuff.
Speaker 2:
It doesn't have to be weird though it could be. Whatever, it's just for people to get to know you better.
Speaker 1:
Oh, I can't believe. I had a huge Yu-Gi-Oh collection when I was younger.
Speaker 2:
Wow, you was really a nerd.
Speaker 1:
I am still a nerd, so let it fool you, I love it. So what did you do with the collection? I was just talking to my cousin about this last night, about how we would literally be rich if I saved my Yu-Gi-Oh cards, because I had all of the best cards.
Speaker 2:
What did you?
Speaker 1:
do with them. One day I was like I think 11, 12, and like I guess, like I decided I wanted to be a girl, so I just like threw them into the wind Not.
Speaker 2:
I decided no for real.
Speaker 1:
Because I Literally and I regret it every time like, yeah, that, because my deck was literally like this big. Yeah, that's kind of crazy.
Speaker 2:
It was crazy. Yeah, that's kind of crazy, it was crazy.
Speaker 1:
That was like months and years of collection, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:
At the time, nobody knew what it would be.
Speaker 1:
Yeah Dang.
Speaker 2:
All right, I'm a little embarrassed by the fact that I know so little about Geography. That's a good one. Yeah, yep, yep, I'm on the same page with you. Yeah, it's pretty bad. She's like where you at. I'm here. Where is that? I don't know.
Speaker 1:
I'm just here, I'm like I can tell you about New York, and then after that I'm like I'm lost.
Speaker 2:
New York is actually the hardest place I feel like to figure out. It took me probably six years to understand like oh, I'm on 1, 3, 8, and 8.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, Like.
Speaker 2:
to understand the cross street? No, for real.
Speaker 1:
And if you can get around like Chinatown without GPS. Like I feel like you're goaded Really. Yeah, it's so hard, Like if you don't really know it like you'll be lost for hours, okay.
Speaker 2:
So I have a new level to unlock Korea Town. I three blocks Koreatown.
Speaker 1:
I don't know. Wait no, k-town and Chinatown, it's two different places. K-town is easy, it's like two, three blocks. Yeah, chinatown is like it's madness.
Speaker 2:
And there's low people in Italy at the same time. Yeah, and there's like so many alleyways.
Speaker 1:
It is some streets you can't even walk through. It's pretty interesting.
Speaker 2:
I got work to do.
Speaker 1:
Sometimes I look back at my life and Sometimes I look back at my life and I'm very proud. Yeah, I think I'm very happy with my life.
Speaker 2:
I love that, yeah, from time to time it's good to.
Speaker 1:
From time to time, it's good to go to the spa.
Speaker 2:
Yes, and by time to time we mean every two weeks.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, but not more. I wish I could do it every day. No, I felt that I made a complete fool of myself when I I make a complete like fool of myself almost every 24 hours when I trip over my own feet. Do you really do that? A lot so clumsy everybody has their thing.
Speaker 2:
No, I'm super clumsy. Let's see my personality trait is Hmm, that's interesting.
Speaker 1:
My personality trait is adorable but crazy Mm.
Speaker 2:
Mm In true Aries fashion. Yes, she comes clean, okay. Another question that I like to ask is like what is a certified sleeper? Like a song that people are sleeping on, but it's like this is your shit, like you put this on to.
Speaker 1:
Right now, Dito Black and Sad Boy just dropped a song called D-Ride it's fire.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, don't sleep, I gotta listen to it. Definitely check it out, yeah for sure. I do like Sad Boy I'm not familiar with.
Speaker 1:
Dito Black. Dito Black yeah, I hope I'm saying her name right, but she's Nigerian. I believe she's from New York. She's fire, Fire. Also, her and Chai C-H-I have a song called it's a no For Me. Hilarious, but also iconic.
Speaker 2:
That's cute. Yeah, it's a no for Thank you, leaf. All right, so new project Dream Girl out now, yes. What else is on the way? Dream Girl Deluxe.
Speaker 1:
Dream Girl Deluxe. Yeah, we're dropping a deluxe project.
Speaker 2:
Really.
Speaker 1:
When Not a final date yet but, sometime in the fall, yeah.
Speaker 2:
Okay, yeah, wait, because you said this is like the first, this is like cracking the code yeah, exactly. So what's the ultimate level? What's the goal?
Speaker 1:
I mean I'm just going to take everyone through like a whole dream sequence. You know it's going to be a sequence of projects with dream narratives.
Speaker 2:
I love it. Yeah, all right. Well, leaf, shout out to your grandma. Let everybody know where they can follow you if they don't already. Okay.
Speaker 1:
Yes, if you don't already follow me, definitely do it now. Heard you at Leaf L-E-A-F and then LeafNYC on TikTok Love it.
