Leven Kali, born in the Netherlands and based in Los Angeles, is a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His early mixtapes Low Tide (2019) and HIGHTIDE (2020), featuring contributions from artists like Syd, Smino, Topaz Jones, and Ty Dolla $ign, bring real soul back into modern R&B. He has also written and produced for major names such as Drake, Teddy Swims, and Playboi Carti, and received a Grammy nomination for his work on Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
His latest solo material might be his most ambitious yet. Take “Are U Still”: a flowing blend of spiritual jazz, intimate R&B, and summery soul with a playful groove. Virtuosic, yet relaxed, as if recorded live. “This is what I’m trying to do,” he says of the single. “I’m getting closer to what I hear in my head.” With praise from legends like Quincy Jones and George Clinton, his style is the perfect balance of strong composition and experimental drive – a bridge between past and future.