Artist Watch: Lakim

by Mia Weisfeld

If you like Kaytranada or Channel Tres, Lakim needs to be next on your queue. Lakim is a Virginia native with an incredible new sound. His music sounds like the beautiful birthchild of classic soul, hip hop, and mesmerizing house beats. Sampling R&B classics like “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number” by Aaliyah and the 80’s Japanese hit “Dance If You Want It”. He’s done incredible samples of Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, A$AP Rocky, and the New Kids on the Block. His biggest hit as of late is off of his 2019 album Classic II titled, “A Pimp Named Slickback'' which sampled “Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)” by Crystal Waters, “Long Red” by Mountain, and "I'm a Pimp Named Slickback" from The Boondocks. This particular song received a lot of attention, as it became a Tiktok sensation. Every community on Tiktok interacted with it; there were dances, trends, and even slowed and reverbed remixes made on top of his original mix.

I found Lakim from his song “Suavemente”, a single that came out in 2020, that happened to be suggested to me on Spotify. I love DJing as a hobby, so I was immediately drawn in as I heard him isolating the highs and lows of this Spanish track. The beat is intoxicating, it just makes you want to get up and groove. He masterfully remixed the song in a way that you could listen to it for hours on repeat and notice a new aspect of the beat each time. This beautiful fusion of samples and house beats makes him (what I would claim to be) one of the best producers on the market today. Then I realized something. I recognized his name. I went on a frantic search on my Soundcloud and I uncovered something big. Back in 2015, I became a big fan of Goldlink’s mixtape titled “The God Complex”. My favorite song from that mixtape was titled “Fuck Being Polite” and it was produced by Lakim! It felt like such a full-circle moment. Even 5 years later, Lakim kept his amazing and energetic engineering on the beat. I was so happy to find this and the song made its way right back into my rotation. 

As I discovered more and more of his music, I began to wonder who was behind the music. I had the absolute honor of getting to interview Lakim this year and this is what he had to say about himself, his creative projects, and his upcoming works: 

So, who is LAKIM?

I’m LAKIM. A Virginia native but now based out of Long Beach, CA. I represent the Soulection family and also operate my own record label, Tufcat Recordings. I’m probably most known for my DJ sets & remixes (Banks, Janet Jackson, etc.) but I’ve also produced for established artists including Yung Gravy, Logic, and Wale to name a few. 

How did you get into music?

I grew up in a musical family so I believe that it was destined to be. My dad is a DJ/producer. My grandfather was a radio station DJ in my hometown for 25+ years. My grandma was in a singing group that traveled the circuit in the 60s. I feel like I was born into this and destined for it. I never really gave much thought to doing anything else.

How long have you been working in music? 

I’ve been making music for about 15 years or so, give or take. I’m really showing my age with this answer for sure, lol…

So, you’re from Virginia, did this have any effect on your musical influence? 

Absolutely. I think Virginia is special in that way. You get the best of both worlds being in the middle eastern part of the East Coast. There’s an equal amount of both northern & southern influences coupled with all the music overseas (UKG, French House, etc.) that makes its way via the many navy bases we have. Not to mention our own local heroes like Timbaland, Missy, and the Neptunes among others. I think that’s why people always ask what’s in the water.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

I couldn’t possibly list them all but here’s some that stand out for me - James Brown, Dilla, Daft Punk, Todd Edwards, the Neptunes, among others. So many though. I could go on & on forever.

What’s your creative process?

I have a lot of different gear and tools at my disposal for creative outlet. A DJ setup with CDJs and turntables. Records. Multiple computers, drum machines, and synthesizers. My phone & iPad. All of it plays a vital part in my creativity. I’m not limited to just one thing and if I needed one and all of them in order to fully realize my vision then that’s what I’ll try to do.  I don’t really know where I get the drive from to work on music. Some days, it’s firing on all cylinders and others I can’t make something good to save my life so it varies. In the end, it's all about not forcing anything and allowing it to come to me when it’s time to. Can’t ever force the funk.

Who is someone that you would want to collaborate with?

If I had to choose anyone to collaborate with, dead or alive, I think it’d be James Brown. I would have loved to pick his brain and see how he leads his band. Anytime I listen to one of his records, it seems like he’s just having the time of his life. That’s something that I try to achieve when I work on ideas. The carefreeness and openness of it. I want my music-making to be effortless and without restrictions and I feel like he would bring that side out of me the best.

What is your favorite song that you’ve made or favorite piece that you’ve worked on?

My favorite song I’ve made isn’t out yet but soon! If I had to pick one that’s been released, I’d pick “Nightfall” or “Street Mentality”. I feel like those are some of the best tracks I’ve done thus far and also overlooked.

Are there any time periods in music that really speak to you?

I think the 70s and 90s are always going to be mainstays for me. The music that was created in those decades is still trying to be replicated and reimagined to this day. Those are by far the most sampled genres of music I think and that speaks volumes as to how incredible it is. When you think of the albums that were released in those time periods, Stevie Wonder’s run from “Music of My Mind” to “Songs in the Key of Life”, Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon”, Nirvana’s “Nevermind” and the many great rap albums that came out in the 90s, it really puts things into perspective.

What is your biggest goal for your career, like what will be the point that you say “I’ve made it”? 

I like to think I’ve accomplished most of the goals I set aside for myself. I’ve traveled the world, met some amazing people, done great things all off of the power of music. It’s an amazing feeling. Something that I haven’t done yet is getting a certified plaque for a song I worked on but hopefully, I can cross that off as well.

Tell me how you got into djing and production. 

My dad was a beatmaker and DJ when I was growing up and so were all of his close circle of friends. I was always surrounded by people doing it so I knew that to would only be a matter of time, but I caught the bug to want to get into it at some point. I’m happy that I decided to stick with it because I’ve had a pretty impressive career so far. I hope to further it even more with what I have coming out in the near future.

What is your favorite set that you’ve played?

There’re so many! If I had to choose one, I think it would be the set that I played at the Rocking the Daisies Festival in South Africa in 2018. My crew, Soulection, had their own stage at the festival. I think with the energy of being around all of my beloved family & friends that everyone just fed off each other and it bleed over into the sets. It was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had thus far in a live setting.

What keeps you going?

I think the idea of leaving behind an audible legacy is what keeps me going. I make music solely for me and people just happen to like it, which is the best feeling in the world. I’m happy with knowing that if one day I decided to make something out of my comfort zone and release it, my supporters will most likely enjoy. That means I’ve established a sound and brand that’s trusted which is important.

Any insight on your next project?

I can’t say much but it’s a sure-fire culmination of the many styles I’ve been developing throughout these years. I’ll say if you’ve been a supporter since the beginning, you will definitely love the album. It touches every part of my fanbase. Beat fanatics, club crawlers & house heads rejoice!

This new subgenre of house that includes a plethora of genres and decade fusions is on the rise and Lakim is at the forefront. If there is anyone you should be looking out for, it’s most definitely Lakim. Lakim has had great success on Spotify this year, reigning in at 360,000 monthly listeners and he is only growing. If you hear a Lakim banger at an event, make sure to record a video and tag @lakimislive in your Instagram story!