Leven Kali's 'Soul' Journey: From Toddler Drummer to Beyoncé Collaborator

Leven Kali, a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, has released his third album, LK99. The title was inspired by Kali's exploration of numerology and the universal significance of the number nine. This release marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new era for the artist.

Kali's career has included writing for major artists such as Beyoncé and Jazmine Sullivan. He draws inspiration from mentors like George Clinton and Quincy Jones, who emphasize continuous learning. Born near Amsterdam but raised in Southern California, Kali initially pursued golf on a Division I scholarship before turning to music in 2015.

His musical path has seen him collaborate with industry heavyweights and overcome challenges, including being dropped from a label during the pandemic. The album LK99 features a variety of genres, described by Kali as 'soul.' He intentionally incorporated imperfections into the music, aiming to inspire listeners to embrace their authentic selves and resist the pressure of AI-driven perfection.

Kali produced approximately 95 percent of LK99 himself, though he has teased future iterations with guest artists. He views the album as a statement for listeners to be unapologetically real and to find inspiration in its intentional flaws.