Lakeyah Danaee was not expecting Milwaukee to show up for her. “For a while it felt like I had fans and supporters everywhere but Milwaukee,” says the 20-year-old rapper and singer, who over the last several years has built a formidable following on Instagram: 360,000 followers and counting — and, no, she didn’t pay for them. Danaee grew that following largely through a series of viral videos and freestyles, one of which ultimately landed on the right ears: Pierre “Pee” Thomas, CEO of the Atlanta label Quality Control, who heard her “First Day Out” freestyle last year and was so impressed he offered her a deal.
It’s hard to overstate the magnitude of that signing: Quality Control is one of the most influential and prestigious rap labels in the world, home to Migos, City Girls, Lil Yachty and rap’s reigning superstar, Lil Baby. For nearly two decades Milwaukee’s rap scene struggled for any sort of national attention, and now one of its own is living out a Cinderella story. Lil Baby praises her out on Instagram, and Lil Yachty calls her all the time to chat and share advice. “It’s crazy,” Danaee beams. “I’ve got celebrities in my contacts.”
She is now with Quality Control and this is artist they want to blow after Meg the Stallion. She is in her own lane she has girlfriend and she is keeping it real. Will she be the next big thing she has been grinding.
