Artistry, with all its triumphs and defeats, can pause artists of any medium along their trajectory, causing shifts in how they create, see themselves, or connect. But the tenacity of a true star will always find its way back. Leeyuh Neptune is that star.
Leeyuh Neptune, also known as the intergalactic mermaid, is a multifaceted vocalist, producer, and songwriter based in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. I was first captivated by her vocals on her 2017 single, “Natural High,” but her expansion into production, engineering, and graphic design has kept me intrigued ever since.
Although her dreams were born in New York where she first emerged as a vocalist in her childhood choir in the Bronx, her identity came into full bloom in Philadelphia. Leeyuh touched many hearts in Philly where she was a regular at Underground Arts, consistently curating her own shows and participating in key events. Three years ago, she felt inspired to move to L.A.
Leeyuh’s entrance into L.A. came in hot, with a unique new deal on the table, star treatment, and first-class accommodations. It all started to come together — until the label stopped responding. The uncertainty of that deal, paired with a lackluster follow-up offer from another label, caused Leeyuh to step back and regroup. She ended up taking a break from music for more than a year and a half, creating only two beats during that time.
“I feel like before, my identity was based on a lot of things that were projected on me rather than things that I chose. People pleasing, worldly standards and fear. “ Leeyuh Neptune says about that point in her career. “I avoided myself because I was afraid of fame… Now my energy is unmovable, direct and liberated.”
Anxious without music, she leaned into her power again last spring, stepping back into the spotlight with her song, “Tequila Tingle.” Her resilience over the past year has been beyond commendable — from quitting music to performing back home for “Live at REC,” opening for touring artists Lavva and Fr33, and even securing a spot as one of the performers at The Roots Picnic as the winner of REC Philly’s Road to Roots contest.
This year has been her reintroduction — not only to us, but to herself. She’s shifted in more ways than just musically: tending to her health, shedding outdated habits, and finding liberation in becoming an immovable force. “Doing this show, [Roots Picnic], feels like a reintroduction to who Leeyuh Neptune is and what she represents.” she declares. If you haven’t experienced a Leeyuh Neptune show yet, expect vibrant colors, captivating vocals, and mesmerizing stage design. “This year’s theme [for Roots Picnic] is The Wiz.” she continues. “So I’m going to be doing hints of The Wiz for my set [design]. You gotta stick around to find out.”
Leeyuh’s Roots Picnic performance will be on May 31st at The Mann Center, musically directed by Roots returner and keyboardist Dan Rouse, and backed by an eleven-piece band. If you can’t catch her there, see her at the Roots Picnic Pride Soiree during Roots Picnic weekend on May 30th!