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PRAISE FOR LEXA GATES:
“One of the can’t-miss emerging artists coming out of NYC. With an aesthetic as refreshing as she is unique, the Queens-bred singer-rapper blends the adjacent worlds in poetic fashion.” – Billboard
“keeps her signature cat-eye wing as sharp as her bars” – The FADER
“Gates’ flow is remarkable” – KCRW
“Proved herself in a sonic sense with her lyrical capabilities and conversational, punctuating flow but also as a creative multihyphenate.” – Hypebeast
“Her star power is authentic and undeniable.” – office Magazine
June 6, 2025 – Today, 24-year-old rapper, singer, and producer Lexa Gates releases her mesmerizing new single, “Latency,” via Capitol Records. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Jasper Harris (Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X), and Aaron Shadrow (Doja Cat, Yeat), the track captures the mood of the season with hypnotic piano lines and sultry, self-assured vocals that glide effortlessly over a sample of Hamilton Bohannon’s “Tell Me You’ll Wait.”. Balancing vulnerability and confidence, Lexa explores the tension of an unfulfilled connection: “I got ideas of you, making moves on me, what’s with the latency?” Known for her ability to distill complex emotions into sharp, quotable lyrics, Lexa describes the song as “a sexy fantasy of a love left on delay. Waiting for a text back, or a move to be made.” She adds: “I got in the studio late night with the GOATS. From New York to LA. Being around all these rich older men sparked a curiosity in me. It’s a tale as old as time.” Listen to “Latency” HERE.
Directed by Ganna Bodgan, the surreal and whimsical visual explores the latency between desire and fulfillment as Lexa floats through a looping daydream with a giant bag that symbolizes attention, affection, and the fantasies we project onto others. From city streets to the Hamptons and club bathroom stalls, the illusion dances playfully before quietly unraveling—leaving Lexa right where she started. Watch HERE.
“Latency” arrives on the heels of the second leg of Lexa’s first-ever headline tour, where she performed to sold-out crowds in cities including Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Orlando. “The Elite Vessel Tour” supported her critically acclaimed debut album Elite Vessel—a deeply personal 12-track project exploring themes of self-discovery, resilience, and ambition. Released last fall, the album features standout collaborations with Alé Araya, Zelooperz, and Billy Lemos, and made an immediate impact, debuting on both the Billboard Heatseekers chart and the Current R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Elite Vessel also earned praise from Rolling Stone(Artist You Need To Know”), Complex (calling it “one of the best under-the-radar rap albums of 2024”), Billboard, Highsnobiety, The FADER, The Face, KCRW, and more.
One of the most striking moments surrounding Elite Vessel was Lexa’s powerful art installation in New York City, where she spent 10 hours inside a transparent box, exploring her deep connection to both her music and listeners. The bold display captivated viewers and has since amassed over 300 million views across platforms, further cementing her as an artist unafraid to push boundaries. Check in out HERE. Listen to Elite Vessel HERE.
In addition to “Latency,” Lexa has already had a breakout year: starring in a KITH campaign alongside Fabolous and Jadakiss, wrapped her first sold-out headline tour, earned Billboard’s “Rookie of the Month” title, attended their annual Women in Music event, and delivered a standout cover of Amy Winehouse’s “I Heard Love Is Blind” for Apple Music. This summer, she’ll perform at major festivals including Governors Ball (Queens), Capitol Hill Block Party (Seattle), Jazz Café Festival (UK), and Outside Lands (San Francisco). With co-signs from SZA, Aminé, Isaiah Rashad, and more, and “Artist to Watch” praise from Billboard, Complex, Schön!, and Hypebeast. Lexa Gates is continuing to shape a singular path. She is introspective, magnetic, bold, and in a lane of her own.
LEXA GATES LIVE DATES:
Saturday, June 7th – Queens, NY – Governors Ball
Saturday, July 19 – Seattle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party
Sunday, August 3rd – Burgess Park, UK – Jazz Café Festival
August 8-10th – San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands
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