In the bustling music scene, where pulsating genres, narratives, expressions and ideas constantly show off, emerges the enigmatic artist — Leksyd, born Olalekan Onafuye. His music, a fusion of Afrobeats and other genres like Amapiano, comes with diverse cultural influences and the metropolitan flavour of the South West.

Growing up in the 2000s, Leksyd’s early exposure to music production and the tunes of Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1), 9ice, Wande Coal, Rihanna and Drake established the groundwork for a musical identity that goes beyond time and cultural limitations. His admiration for musical instruments and his childhood church choir birthed his love for music. Although his parents may not be musically inclined, their provision of a computer set made a curious kid who wanted to make his beats at age 10.

The origin of Leksyd’s name, a playful variation coined out of his government name, Olalekan, reflects the singer’s coalescence of personality and passion.

While Leksyd pursued his national diploma, he juggled that with music, his ambition. Leaving Ikorodu, a mainland area where he grew up in Lagos, in 2015 for Ilaro, Ogun State and later relocating to Ibadan in 2018 for further studies, Leksyd continued cultivating his music identity. Each step of his journey, whether in academia or cultural transitions, added a distinctive flair that scaled his craft. He released singles like: “Dey Alright,” “Odogwu”, and “Emergency” — catchy Afropop tunes that jaw money, prayers and big ballers lifestyle.

Leksyd’s move from Ikorodu to Ilaro allowed him to showcase his music in his alma mata and nightclubs in Ogun state. His consistent performances garnered some lovers of his art, including the music label boss who’s been part of his journey since 2017. In conversation, Leksyd acknowledges financial support from his current label boss, who became invested in his music after watching him perform in his club in Ilaro.

Post-diploma, he diverted some time to practice architecture, a profession he now likens to music due to their demanded creativity and attention. According to Lakesyd, “Whether in music and architecture, there’s rhythm and harmony to building up a structure.”

Between that period and 2022, Leksyd released a multi-genre debut album, “Fortitude” (2021), which centred on love, destiny and grabbing the limelight. He released an EP also in 2021 titled “Overdose”: a four-song pack that explored various sounds like afropop, amapiano and dancehall. In 2022, he put out “Bad Energy Go Far”, where he flirted with drill music to show versatility.

In January 2023, Leksyd got signed to iMuzic Records — four years after Dickson Fatubi heard his “Dey Alright” song that convinced the man he may have finally found his whiz kid. Leksyd’s first single, “Holy Michael,” under his new label and management, features veteran 9ice. It’s a chaste song seeking for elevation above evil’s reach. It quickly passes for Afro-Adura, a style termed by a sorority of Afrobeats, to describe contemporary music that employs prayers, spirituality and other religious elements.

Riding on the high of the song with 9ice, the next drop from Leksyd came out four months after. It was an EP titled “Expect The Unexpected” — assisted with a guest verse from veteran rapper Seriki on “Olamilekan.” “Koshi (411)” is a carefree drill anthem. He gave his Afrobeats love to “Attention” and flirted with amapiano on the closer “Tony Montana”.

Describing his music as a true reflection of his inner self, Leksyd emphasises storytelling as the spirit of his artistry. Whether expressing personal experiences or narratives of others, his music is a mellifluous blend of melodies and stories, creating poignant sounds that surpass cultural margins.

Leksyd’s creative process starts with production and emotional mindstate. “Before I lay vocals, I make sure the beat is ready; it conveniently drives my flow. My frame of mind also determines the type of song I want to create on different days.” He’s a thorough lyricist. “For me, I’d rather have a meaningful story to tell in a song than record only vibes,” he said.

Beyond the beats and lyrics, Leksyd envisions his art on a global level, flying the Nigerian flag high. Whether producing happy-hour jams or soulful narratives, he aims to impact his listeners with narratives from his place of origin. Looking towards the future, Leksyd sees himself establishing his label — a platform to empower music talents to grow and create music that’ll stand the test of time. He has dropped his first single of 2024, “No Gree For Anybody No Be For Everybody”, and is gearing up to release more. Leksyd, 26, remains dedicated to making timeless music that resonates with the people.