Initially known for producing tracks for hip-hop group Das Racist, such as their popular debut single "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", he became known as a solo artist with the release of his debut mixtape Dark York, released in April 2012. It's lead single, the 5kinAndBone5-produced "Wut" garnered attention as the standout track from the project and received a music video in June 2012.
In 2015, Diouf released his debut album Riot Boi through XL. The album featured contributions from SOPHIE, Junglepussy and Devonte Hynes (aka Blood Orange). In 2018, he released the EP Blue Dream.
Grace Alek Naomi
LE1F Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You tellin' me that you liked my album but you copped it on a torrent
These sucker hoes is boring, don't come for my fortune
Cause I'm not letting you in, not unless you got warrants
I'm not here taking friend requests and we ain't companions
Fake acting like you know me just to hop on the caravan
Not here for shenanigans, I been on what's happening
No new kids in my household, y'all hoes is my grandchillin'
I got homies out in Hackney Wick picking me up from Paddington
Me all "walk like a champion, and talk like a champion"
Little one, I'm a veteran, why you riding my bandwagon?
Survey says I'm Grace Jones
Survey says Naomi
It's my first time to your country
How does everybody know me?
The blacker the berry, the sweetest juiciest only
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
Grace, Alek or Naomi, Grace, Alek or Naomi
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
Deng da Deng da dang, I'm doing my thang
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
You still out here fucking with them fuckboys?
Fuck you, nigga, I fuck boys
Y'all still runnin y'all mouths? Y'all laymans make noise
I make noise and all it gets me is great poise
I get mines, don't get mines, go get yours
I came for it, I'm not the one that you send for
I fast forward the fashions, you're wearing last fall
You cornball, I'm serial; I crack codes
With a undertone hella boysenberry
And I would never do a day in penitentiary
Y'all kids going soft like Martinelli's
You can go and ask your sensei, I'm legendary
I'm jiggy and i'm spicy, so these gully niggas don't like me
But it's highly likely that I don't give a fuck
Like potholes on the sidewalk, I strut right over you
Cracks in the concrete, break your back, mommy, pop it
Survey says I'm Grace Jones
Survey says Naomi
It's my first time to your country
How does everybody know me?
The blacker the berry, the sweetest juiciest only
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
Grace, Alek or Naomi, Grace, Alek or Naomi
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
Deng da Deng da dang, I'm doing my thang
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
Ooh la la, I'm feelin free. Watch the sway
I got about a hundred bangers in my LV dossier
Every time I leave the country I come back with 20k
Like, at least, bitch, I breeze like leaves, get it?
I'm in the deli gettin $7 sandwiches
My room's a mess cause designers keep on giving me gifts
Oh, you niggas is fashion now? Well I'm the fashionest
I think I need a 2nd bedroom just for these outfits
Killing you niggas with kindness, shading you niggas, same timing
All of my homies is verified cuz all my homies is grinding
All of these girls is jetset like nobody's back on that island
And these basic cable bitches be watching, staring and sighing
I'm the bati, the banjee, the banjee, the carry
I'm the carrier dandy, the dad of the family
I'm the faggot they stan or they don't understand it
I run with the posse and I band with the bandits
In Le1f's song "Grace Alek Naomi," Le1f speaks to his own excellence and legacy. He acknowledges that some people want to be in his midst, but he won't let them join him without good reason. He also references the comparisons between himself and legendary Black women models and performers like Grace Jones, Alek Wek, and Naomi Campbell, recognizing that he too is a trailblazer in performance and style. In the verse, he calls out fake friends and superficial acquaintances to assert that he values authenticity and hard work above all else. He isn't swayed by trends or fads, he has struggled to make his way to where he is and deserves respect for it. When he says "I'm the faggot they stan or they don't understand it," he addresses the fact that his queerness makes him either exceptional or strange to those who admire his work. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to do his thing regardless of what others think.
One interesting fact about "Grace Alek Naomi" is that the song was inspired by a 2013 photo shoot for V Magazine featuring Grace Jones, Alek Wek, and Naomi Campbell, which made Le1f realize how iconic and powerful black women of all shapes and sizes can be.
Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by Lunice, a Canadian electronic music producer known for his work with Hudson Mohawke, Diplo, and Azealia Banks.
The track was released on the album "Riot Boi" in 2015, which received critical acclaim for its genre-bending and political themes.
Le1f has said in interviews that he is inspired by artists like David Bowie and Grace Jones, who used fashion and performance to challenge societal norms and expectations.
The phrase "walk like a champion, talk like a champion" in the song is a nod to the Jamaican folk song "Dem a Watch" by Smiley Culture.
The music video for "Grace Alek Naomi" was directed by Sam Jones and features Le1f dancing and performing in a variety of colorful and eccentric outfits.
Le1f has described the song as a "love letter" to the power and influence of black women in fashion and culture.
The song incorporates elements of hip-hop, EDM, and Afrobeat, showcasing Le1f's unique and experimental style.
Le1f is openly gay and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for queer people of color.
While the chords for "Grace Alek Naomi" are not widely available, the song's energetic beat and layered electronics create a unique and danceable sound.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm kinda like Jordans, you cannot afford them
I am valuable and desirable, unattainable to those who cannot afford me
You tellin' me that you liked my album but you copped it on a torrent
You claim to enjoy my work, but you didn't pay for it
These sucker hoes is boring, don't come for my fortune
My success is not up for grabs, and those who try to take it are uninteresting
Cause I'm not letting you in, not unless you got warrants
I am guarded and cautious, only allowing those who are worthy inside
I'm not here taking friend requests and we ain't companions
I am not interested in superficial relationships and do not accept everyone who tries to be my friend
Fake acting like you know me just to hop on the caravan
I am skeptical of those who pretend to know me in order to benefit themselves
Not here for shenanigans, I been on what's happening
I am focused on important matters and do not have time for foolishness
No new kids in my household, y'all hoes is my grandchillin'
I am experienced and accomplished, and those who are new to my circle are like grandchildren to me
You could act Hollywood, bitch, I'm from Manhattan
You may try to pretend to be something greater than you are, but I come from a place of real, legitimate success
I got homies out in Hackney Wick picking me up from Paddington
I have friends and connections in different parts of the world who are loyal and reliable
Little one, I'm a veteran, why you riding my bandwagon?
I have been around for a long time and established myself as a successful artist, so why are you trying to copy me?
Survey says I'm Grace Jones
I am often compared to the legendary Grace Jones
Survey says Naomi
I am often compared to supermodel Naomi Campbell
It's my first time to your country
I am a newcomer to this location
How does everybody know me?
I am surprised at the reception I am receiving from people I have never met before
The blacker the berry, the sweetest juiciest only
The darker my skin, the more unique and wonderful I am
I'm looking so Lupita, Grace, Alek or Naomi
I am embodying the beauty and grace of Lupita Nyong'o, Grace Jones, Alek Wek, or Naomi Campbell
You still out here fucking with them fuckboys?
Are you still involved with men who are disrespectful and not worth your time?
Fuck you, nigga, I fuck boys
I am not interested in men, and will not be insulted by someone who is
Y'all still runnin y'all mouths? Y'all laymans make noise
You are still talking and making noise, despite having no expertise or experience
I make noise and all it gets me is great poise
My success and influence have given me grace and poise
I get mines, don't get mines, go get yours
I am focused on achieving my own goals, and encourage others to do the same
I came for it, I'm not the one that you send for
I am self-motivated and do not need others to tell me what to do
I fast forward the fashions, you're wearing last fall
I am ahead of the fashion trends, while you are still wearing outdated styles
You cornball, I'm serial; I crack codes
You are uninteresting, while I am serious and talented enough to solve complex problems
With a undertone hella boysenberry
My style and personality have a unique and appealing quality, like the flavor of boysenberry
And I would never do a day in penitentiary
I am too smart and strategic to end up in prison
Y'all kids going soft like Martinelli's
You are becoming weak and complacent, like the non-alcoholic beverage Martinelli's
You can go and ask your sensei, I'm legendary
You can ask anyone who knows about me, I have achieved enormous success and recognition
I'm jiggy and i'm spicy, so these gully niggas don't like me
My unique and bold style does not appeal to rough or aggressive men
But it's highly likely that I don't give a fuck
I am independent and unconcerned with others' opinions of me
Like potholes on the sidewalk, I strut right over you
I am above those who try to oppress or bring me down
Cracks in the concrete, break your back, mommy, pop it
I am strong and tough, like the cracks in concrete that can cause injury
Ooh la la, I'm feelin free. Watch the sway
I am enjoying my freedom and confident in my movements
I got about a hundred bangers in my LV dossier
I have a lot of great songs saved in my Louis Vuitton bag
Every time I leave the country I come back with 20k
I am successful and wealthy enough to earn large sums of money while traveling
Like, at least, bitch, I breeze like leaves, get it?
I am light and easy-going, like the wind rustling through leaves
I'm in the deli gettin $7 sandwiches
Despite my success, I still enjoy simple pleasures like a $7 sandwich from a deli
My room's a mess cause designers keep on giving me gifts
I am so successful that famous designers continually send me expensive gifts, making my room cluttered
Oh, you niggas is fashion now? Well I'm the fashionest
While others may try to be fashionable, I am the most stylish and unique
I think I need a 2nd bedroom just for these outfits
I have so many fabulous outfits that I need an extra room to store them all
Killing you niggas with kindness, shading you niggas, same timing
I am so nice that it hurts - even when I criticize or insult others
All of my homies is verified cuz all my homies is grinding
All of my friends and associates are successful and verified, because they work hard like I do
All of these girls is jetset like nobody's back on that island
All of these women travel frequently and are successful, as if nobody else exists on their level
And these basic cable bitches be watching, staring and sighing
Less successful women watch me with envy, wishing they were on my level
I'm the bati, the banjee, the banjee, the carry
I am diverse in my identities and ways of being, including the Caribbean bati and banjee styles
I'm the carrier dandy, the dad of the family
I am a stylish and influential figure in my community
I'm the faggot they stan or they don't understand it
I am a gay icon that many people admire, although some do not understand me
I run with the posse and I band with the bandits
I am part of a group of successful and influential people, including those who may be considered outside of societal norms
Writer(s): Haldan Bechler, Joshua Leary, Khalif Diouf
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.