Celebrity Hip-Hop’s Next Up:
In a genre known for its raw expression and cultural commentary, Marcus Tyrone Williams, better known as Leeavvyy Livv, is carving a unique path. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 27-year-old rapper isn’t just another artist dropping tracks—he’s using his voice to spark conversations about some of society’s most pressing issues.
Defining a New Sound
With a sound that blends hip-hop, spoken word, and poetry, Livv’s music focuses on social justice, political inequities, and personal struggles. But it’s not just his message that’s drawing attention. His vocal tone, often compared to J. Cole’s, and his ability to weave storytelling with lyricism has set him apart as a powerful emerging artist.
Raised in a lower-class neighborhood, Livv’s early life was marked by hardship. His involvement in armed robbery as a teenager landed him behind bars, but it was a transformative experience. During his time incarcerated, Livv earned his high school diploma and learned valuable life lessons from the people he met. These experiences helped shape his music, which now reflects the challenges and resilience that define his journey.
A Platform for Change
His commitment to tackling tough issues through his music resonates with audiences. Whether discussing personal battles or systemic injustices, Livv’s songs are meant to provoke thought, foster empathy, and inspire change. His approach challenges the status quo, aiming to bring people together and create a sense of empowerment. It’s clear that for Livv, hip-hop is more than just an art form—it’s a platform for change.
While his music may be conscious, Livv still faces the usual challenges of the industry. Performing live, for instance, presents its own set of hurdles. Livv admits that the pressure to be perfect in front of an audience, combined with technical difficulties and stage fright, make live shows a unique challenge. Yet, despite the obstacles, he views live performances as a key part of his artistic growth.
Building a Lasting Legacy
For Livv, music isn’t just about success. He’s driven by a desire to make a difference. His goal is to leave behind a legacy that goes beyond the charts—one that challenges societal norms, educates, and empowers. His hope is that his work will inspire future generations to continue the fight for equality and fairness.
Currently, Livv is hard at work on his next album. Still in the pre-production phase, he’s focusing on refining his vision, working closely with producers, and experimenting with new sounds. This project represents not only his personal evolution but also his dedication to creating music that leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
Purpose Over Profit
As Leeavvyy Livv continues to rise in the hip-hop scene, his commitment to using music as a force for good is unwavering. In an industry often focused on commercial success, Livv stands out as an artist who prioritizes purpose over profit. His music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a call to action.
As his career progresses, there’s no doubt that Leeavvyy Livv will continue to be a voice for the voiceless, using his platform to inspire change and push the boundaries of what hip-hop can achieve.
Today, we had the opportunity to interview the rising star, Leeavvyy Livv.
What is your legal name and age?
Marcus Tyrone Williams. Age: 27
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI
Who do people say you sound like?
People have also been mentioning how my voice sounds like J. Cole’s voice. That probably comes from a combination of the vocal timber, my tone of voice, and probably the style of delivery as being close to his. How my voice resonates and the sound of my cadence may remind people of J. Cole’s voice.
What is your best advice for handling criticism?
The best advice on how to effectively handle criticism is to go into it with a purely open mind and willing to learn from and improve upon your particular flaws. Constructive criticism commonly takes place when one separates the intention of the message being relayed rather than dwell on the actual method of delivery. Realize that, if constructively given, criticism can provide an insight into invaluable areas for improvement. It is important that one develops the growth mindset viewing criticism as an opportunity to grow, rather than a set back. Approach feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve your abilities-not as a defining statement about your self-worth. Reframe negative critique this way, and what at first may seem to be a negative experience can actually be a learning opportunity.
What are you focusing your time on now?
Currently, I am in the pre-production stage of writing an album. This crucial stage involves crafting the vision and concept for the album, selecting the songs that best fit the theme, and arranging them in a cohesive and compelling manner. Additionally, I am working closely with producers, musicians, and other collaborators to experiment with different sounds, instrumentation, and arrangements to bring the songs to life. Emphasis is also placed on refining the lyrics, melodies, and overall musicality of each track to ensure they resonate with the intended audience. Through meticulous attention to detail and creative exploration, I am dedicated to creating a standout album that showcases my artistic vision and musical talent.
What is your legacy? How do you want to be remembered?
My legacy should be one of inspiration and impact. I want to be remembered as someone who leveraged his talents and resources to make positive change in this world, whether through my writing, my advocacy, or my actions. I hope to leave behind a body of work that challenges, educates, and empowers others to strive for a better future. I’d like to be remembered as a kind, understanding, and considerate person, making the people around me feel special and necessary. Finally, I want to be remembered as really making a difference that makes for a better world, wherein equality and fairness are a right of all humankind, so that people coming after me might have it easier.
How would you describe the music you typically make?
Most of the time, my music is about social issues, political injustices, personal struggles, and the human experience. I really try to create lyrics that somehow open up thinking, inspire changes, and bring empathy and understanding towards other people. Many times, telling stories, playing with words, and metaphorical language help drive such messages home. I try to challenge the status quo, raise awareness of important issues, and make a feeling of togetherness and empowerment through music. My sound merges hip-hop, spoken word, and poetry into one complex, powerful sound that deeply resonates with the audience. Ultimately, I am working to utilize the platform to converse, provoke positive change, and speak out for a world of inclusion and compassion.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Growing up as in a poor lower class family, survival is what drove us. It wasn’t a big surprise when I found myself in trouble with the law for armed robbery. We were taught to survive by any means necessary, even if that means taking from others. As a young teen this is how I lived my life. I am thankful for the time I had to sit behind bars. It helped me to mature and, in a sense, gave me a chance to really grow up. I got my high school diploma, met a lot of older people who helped shape the man I am today, and overall became an honest citizen.
What is still your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge as an artist is performing live. Live shows, unlike recording studios, have no time or place to make mistakes.I have to deliver perfectly, putting in mind uncontrollable live audiences, technical issues on stage, and many other logistic issues related to it. Performing live comes with the desire for personal connection with the audience, maintaining energy and charisma throughout the performance, and the ability to make changes in real time. All of these things will really make live performances quite challenging. Also, the vulnerability of live performance can also give rise to stage fright and performance anxiety, boosting pressure on artists even further. In this way, though different challenges may arise, mastering live performances is important for me and any artist in proving one’s talent and securing a strong fan base.
Are you religious?
I believe there is a power higher than ourselves that guides our lives. I don’t practice, nor do I believe in the religious aspect of life. However, I do pray. I am open to hearing about all religions. I enjoy listening to their similarities and differences. I still try to live my life by core the teachings of all the religions, such as loving one another and showing forgiveness and grace. I also strive to allow this higher power to lead my life.
For future updates on Leeavvyy Livv’s journey, stay tuned to our blog and follow him on Instagram
