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Laila! Is only 18 years old, and already living out her dreams.

You may have heard her viral track “Not My Problem” which took the internet and social media by storm, clocking it at over 100 million global streams. She quickly followed it up with her standout album titled Gap Year!, which was created when she graduated high school a year early and decided not to go to college.

What people may not know is Laila! is daughter to legendary rapper Mos Def, aka Yasiin Bey. And one thing’s for sure, talent runs in the family!

Sheen had the opportunity to chat with Laila! moments before she took the stage at The Echo in Los Angeles, following a sold out show the previous night.

 

How you feeling?

Good. I feel good. 

Do you get nervous before your shows?

100%, I’m nervous right now. 

How do you get over your nerves? 

I don’t. [laughs] I just pretend I’m not nervous. 

Sold out dates! New York, Atlanta, D.C., LA. How does this feel?

Feels good. I’m excited, and I can’t wait to see everybody. I’m really proud of myself, and it’s been fun so far. I can’t wait to see everyone.

“Not My Problem” is my shit. Did you think the song would blow up like that? 

No idea. I had no clue that that was gonna happen, so I’m very thankful. I couldn’t have anticipated it. It was just a freestyle.

How’d it go up? Was it on TikTok first?

No, actually it was the On The Radar.

Do you mix your mango, passionfruit and guava juice?

I do, yes. It’s the best way to have any of those juices, so try it if you haven’t tried it.

Who are your female icons?

Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Janet Jackson.

You actually graduated high school year early. Were you smart? 

No, I wasn’t. It was sheer luck you guys. Especially because I had a really great school, I went to UMA. They really supported me. They believed in me, so I’m very thankful for that. 

Gap Year! is such a great project, front to back no misses. What was your mental state in creating this?

I just was making stuff. I don’t think there was any process or real thought behind it, I was just enjoying the music that I was making. Also thinking about my feelings. I feel like my songs are really personal, it’s like a diary. So just writing what I felt and what I felt sounded nice. [laughs]

How proud is your mom? 

She’s super proud of me. I love her, and I’m thankful.

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lalia!