The images associated with Atlantic City and Baltimore are as diverse as the people who live there. AC offers up everything from million dollar pleasure palaces to hookers on the stroll and two-bit mobsters, while B More is both a bustling tourist destination and a tough, often violent city whose drug trade inspired HBO’s The Wire. Needless to say, both are challenging places to grow up and find yourself. Yet that is exactly what 18-year-old Talik Deshawn Baker aka Young Leek did. Born in AC and now repping for Baltimore, Young Leek took negatives and spun them into positives.
You can hear that positivity, as well as skills that belie his age, a nimble flow and air tight rhymes on Young Leek’s dynamic Def Jam debut Somethin’ To Prove; a title chosen, Young Leek explains, “Because I want to show my versatility and that I can do anything.”
Tailor made for summer jams, and parties Somethin’ To Prove reminds you that hip-hop can still hold it down for being young, being fly and having fun. With self-penned material that comes straight from his soul, heart and life, Young Leek’s steez is Infectious. Invigorating. Sexy but never suggestive. Rugged enough for the fellows but with enough romance to keep the ladies satisfied. Youthful but not childish. Confident but down to earth: ala Nelly crossed with Juelez Santana or like the way Leek’s role model (and now label mate) LL Cool J used to do back in the day. Mention that comparison and Leek is clearly humbled offering, “I’m blessed to be on the same label because LL set the foundation for a lot of young rappers.”
Young Leek starts building his foundation with the sizzling first single “Jiggle It”. Produced by Blaqstarr “Jiggle It” was a smash in Leek’s adopted hometown Baltimore and it’s easy to hear what got discerning heads so hyped. Percolating, and radio ready, “Jiggle It”, says Young Leek,” is a hot record and it talks about things that people and especially teenagers can definitely relate to. It’s fun”
The fun continues on Young Leek’s second joint, the up-tempo “Single and Free”. Produced by Nottz, “Single and Free” is built on a sample of the 70’s classic “Want Ads”, and celebrates the joys of being your own man. On your own. Equally frisky is “I’m Back”, a beat driven battle of the sexes, which vibrates with a sassy vibe. Another track sure to attract attention is “Get With Me”, featuring the red-hot Bobby V and “definitely aimed at the girls”.
Family takes center stage on “Hey Mama” dedicated to Young Leek’s mom while “Let Me Know”, featuring Ray-J and produced by hit maker Rodney Jerkins (Destiny’s Child, Brandy) is a funky lesson in just how to holla at that special female. Collaborating with Jerkins brought things full circle for Young Leek because it was a meeting with Rodney back in 2000 that changed the course of Leek’s life. That history made “Let Me Know” even sweeter. “Working with Rodney was very cool because he was an influence. He remembered me.”
In many ways Young Leek is a typical teen. A Gemini, Leek loves “106 and Park”, amusement parks, video games and rocking some fresh BAPE gear. His favorite subject is geography and he roots for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s all about Jay –Z, Biggie, Tupac, LL Cool J and loves Beyonce, Mariah and Janet. Typical teenage stuff but there’s more to Young Leek’s story than meets the eye.
The middle child of three siblings Leek was raised primarily by his mother and frequently saw his father, who sang as a hobby and managed some local acts. As a kid Leek witnessed the realities of life in urban America up close, yet despite the temptations that beckoned outside the door, Leek’s parents made sure he kept focused. Credit sports and music. Leek listened to hip hop but as much as Leek loved it, he loved football even more and was hoping to make sports his life.
Like other kids in AC Leek knew the rags to riches saga of local hero, producer Rodney Jerkins and as fate would have it, Leek’s grandmother and Jerkins’ sister were friends and in 2000 she invited the 10 year old to visit her brother in his studio “I knew who Rodney was,” Leek recalls, “he’s from my area. I respected and admired him and what he’d done. It was the first time that I had ever been in a recording studio or even seen one, so I observed everything that Rodney did and that’s when I decided that I wanted to do music. Meeting Rodney sparked me.”
Leek continued making good grades, playing football and trying his hand at rapping. “It was just teenage stuff, rapping with my friend at lunchtime. I was just doing music very causally. I’d go to my friend’s houses and we lay down these little songs on their parent’s home equipment. Real basic stuff. I was in a few talent shows. I learned how to play the drums. Nothing major”
All of that changed at 14 when Leek injured himself playing ball. Realizing that a pro career was probably out of question, Leek put all of his energies into music.
In 2005 Leek decided to join his dad, who was now living in Baltimore. “I told my father that I wanted to get more serious with music. He wanted me to focus on school and get my life together but he saw how much music meant to me and decided to give me a chance.” That chance took the form of a battle between Leek and a cousin. Leek’s dad was impressed, and decided to let his son go for his dreams.
Through his father’s contacts Leek met K-Swift (who now co manages Leek) and together they cooked up an early version of “Jiggle It”. The song started popping off in night clubs throughout Charm City and on local radio. This caught the attention of Baltimore producers Mike Millz & Big Kuntre of Stay Gettin’ Productions (Cam’ron, Kay Slay) who quickly signed Leek to their company, Stay Gettin’ Entertainment (S.G.E.).
While meeting with Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds, Kanye West’s A&R at Def Jam, Mike & Kuntre played "Jiggle It". Pat liked what he heard and came down to a packed club in Baltimore to see the teenager do his thing on stage. The next week Leek was summoned to Def Jam’s NYC offices, where he performed for CEO LA Reid who signed him on the spot.
In less than 6 months Young Leek had gone from teenager with a dream to teenager with a deal. “It was a shock, because most 15 years olds don’t get the oppotunity to do this or get a record deal as fast as I have.”
Now with an album under his belt what are Young Leek’s goals? Think longevity, creativity and maintaining a down to earth point of view. “I’m looking forward to being successful and to grow as an artist. To establish my own business and production company. I just want to have fun. I make good music. I’m easy to get along with. I’m funny, I’m smart. I’m a nice guy. I’ve made something of myself and come from a place where sometimes that’s hard to do. My family is really proud of me and I want to make them happy and make myself happy. That’s the most important thing.”
