“I feel like I am a superstar; I’m gonna keep manifesting that shit and I’m never gonna stop.” Despite being a petite, 25-year-old rapper, with only a recently-released debut album and a few mixtapes under her belt, Coi Leray‘s bold words are faultless. With a handful of Billboard Hot 100 hits to her name, being apart of the 2021 XXL Freshman Class and collaborating with likes of Nicki Minaj, Leray is only getting started.
When sitting down with her at this year’s The Governors Ball Music Festival, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I left as a new fan of Leray, musically and personally. Although the media and rap world may have many misconceptions of this New Jerseyan, she proved the opposite. Even with a line of about 20+ journalists eager to speak to her, something not usually seen at this festival, she took time with each one, with a giant smile on her face and ecstatic the entire time. Even when discussing the most important part of her career, she said it was her team. You can tell who she is as a person by her putting her team before anything or anyone else. “They complete me. Shout out to the whole Trendsetter squad.”
The Trendsetter rapper has been pushing her way to the top the past few years, and isn’t going anywhere but up any time soon. Leray has spent the past 3 years working on her debut release to ensure it was perfect. “I’ve been building all of these relationships. Sometimes I punch in, sometimes I write on physical paper or sometimes I’m on a laptop. I normally write through experience. Everything I go through and the vibes will be lit. Casamigos, got my drink and then we’ll turn up!” The 20-track album, which features countless featured artists, including H.E.R., Polo G and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, also features viral tracks like “TWINNEM” and “Blick Blick.”
Nicki Minaj, who is on “Blick Blick” with Coi, has been standing in the rapper’s corner for a bit. “It’s a blessing still, I can’t believe it,” Leray says about Minaj supporting her and loving the track as soon as she heard it before jumping on.
Although she has worked with many top tier artists already, the superstar rapper still has her wishlist consisting of PartyNextDoor, Billie Eilish, Kali Uchis, Jack Harlow, and City Girls. When speaking about these future potential collaborations, you could see the fan in her jump out and instantly knew these were genuine wants for her future.
In the meantime, the Trendsetter rapper is currently out on her first headlining and fans should expect the unexpected. Coi and her dancers have been bringing choreography to the 20+ date tour and fans who haven’t seen the show yet “aren’t ready for what’s about to happen.”
Head to Coi Leray’s site to see when she’ll be in your city next. Not in your city anytime soon? Be sure to pre-save/add her upcoming single, “Involved,” out soon.
