MY CITY

Cole LC is a musician whose sounds are rising out of Leeds and into the wider music world. He visits the Leeds places that got him here and tells us what the city means to him.

I’m born and raised in Leeds and the city’s been good to me. I grew up in Roundhay, and spending a lot of time there and in local areas really shaped me. My grandma lived in Chapeltown so the tight knit community gave me a good sense of family and loyalty with my people.

My mum from a young age had gotten me involved in the culture and arts of Leeds (thanks mum) - I grew up around live music and theatre which influenced me to get involved in music. She always said it’ll do me well seeing real life creatives do their thing, which it did. Early memories in the city include Carnival, shows at Slung Low, The Wardrobe, basically anything under 18’s could attend. My dad’s always been a music man as well - growing up there’d be Michael Jackson playing, Aswad, Elvis, Bob Marley alsoso I got a good education of music until I formed my own opinions and taste.

I started busking at 13, inspired by my favourite rapper at the time, Leeds native Dialect. I always say that was the best decision I’ve ever made because singing is a very personal, exposing expression so when people are walking by or stopping and taking me in it gave me a taste of what’s to come. Some people care, some people don’t, but it doesn’t stop you doing your thing. It helped me network and meet some lifelong friends.

A few months later, BN and Gadget Boy, some old school Leeds rappers who I looked up to, took me to Studio 12 and really gave me some time to shine - I’ll always appreciate them giving me my first opportunity. I went on to do sessions with First Media TV which was a pro force in the Leeds Rap scene at the time and later brought eyes onto me from outside of the city. The support system I got here really gave me a foot up to reach the rest of the UK.

Corn Exchange

I spent a lot of my busking days behind the Corn Exchange with the mandem after sessions. A lot of things went on at The Wall, as we called it, many fond memories. The first time I heard the late great Gadget Boy spit a bar, a real Leeds rap legend in his own right and inspired me and many others to jump on music. The crew I was rolling with was WNV (if you know you know) - BN, CH, OZ, Heemz, Crawler, Nickz are a few of the rappers who were inspiring me at the time. After busking sessions I used to go back there with a bag of change, play closest to The Wall, and play beats on my speaker; it’d always turn into a cypher. It was a place I felt appreciated for the work I was doing when it didn’t always feel that way.

Sekkle

I’m a big fan of vintage fashion and looking back on what big names in streetwear have rocked in the past, UK and overseas. Jay-Z, Biggie, Skepta, Pharrell, Kanye to name a few. Sekkle is a hub in the north that brings nostalgia to light. Run by Adam Dowdy, he’s been bringing heat to his archives for a few years now and is the man to get his hands on the pieces you couldn’t. He’s shown me brands I would’ve not known exist and expanded my knowledge on different aesthetics. If you’re trying to get fresh, Sekkle is where you need to be at.

Brigatte

Brigatte was the first place I got a girl’s number and the place I made my first hundred quid so it’s a special street for me. I first set up my busking gear outside Greggs 6 years ago when I was 13 and started singing. That was really the start of my journey, the love I was shown was the main reason I carried on; Leeds really let me know I was one of their own. I carried on every weekend until I was 16 and corona hit and stopped it - but many things came after so the universe did it’s thing. Brigatte was a vital part of my music.

Scotchies

Scotchies, Scotchies, Scotchies. When I say the baddest, I mean the baddest! In my opinion the best food spot in Leeds - based on Roundhay Road, go down and see for yourself. Run by the main man Zulu and his partner it brings the best in soul food, freshly cooked daily - it’s a weekly obsession I have if I’m being honest. And if you think I’m just saying this for this article, ask my peoples. Cheesecake on Tuesdays as well. You’re welcome.

Thirteen Barbers

From the pictures in this article, I know you’re probably all thinking ‘wow his trim is impeccable’. I’ll let you in on the secret: Thirteen Barbers. For me, Thirteen is like a social club where they make you look lenger. Full of talented barbers up for a laugh and very good at what they do. Mikey, Kuba, Charlie, Isaac, Lucas, Harry and Bailey are the guys who make it happen down there. It’s always good vibes in the shop and there’s a bar Hideout on the lower floor, so if you’re feeling a drink after the trim, a set of stairs is all that’s in your way. All hair types as well, so don’t think you need to look like me to get freshened up.

New Concept Studio

New Concept Studios in Lincoln Green is the first studio I properly sat down and wrote a song in, so it’s a special place to me. It’s also home to a load of creatives vital to the Leeds music scene. Motion is who I predominantly work with there and has been a pioneer in the scene for years, producing, engineering, and recording music himself. Big up him, he’s seen me go through all my stages of artistry and is a real guy to have in the studio with you. Mikey B is another resident who has been shelling it for yearsgarage, baseline, house, whatever you want to hear Mikey is covering. There’s way more to come out of the studio such as Luca Ray, Vital Techniques and Bastard Hand. A hotspot for Leeds music.