The silver-tongued NYC spitter proves protest songs and club bangers can coexist

On Riot Boi, Le1f’s debut studio album, the silver-tongued New York native spits righteous fire, equal parts protest and party. He’s a champion for unapologetically black, queer self-love on the cavernous “Grace Alek Naomi", and he brushes aside those who can’t accept that on the swirling, aquatic “Taxi". His nimble delivery sprints more than it flows, and the production’s as defiant as the lyrics, from the power pop sugar rush of “Koi” to the snarling, echoing, New Jersey club-inspired “Swirl".