Few rappers have shaped the sound and aesthetic of modern South African hip-hop like Da L.E.S has. Born Leslie Jonathan Mampe, Jr. in Washington, D.C. in 1985 and raised in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, L.E.S first broke out in 2006 as a member of the genre-bending group Jozi. Da L.E.S’ game-changing debut, Fresh2def (2008), featured swag-filled, light-hearted rhymes and brought international attention to the scene, inspiring countless new-school rappers. L.E.S’ discography captures the different eras and styles of global hip-hop; he delivers melodic raps, trunk-rattling bangers, and classic boom-bap cuts detailing his luxurious lifestyle. Whether serving as an ambassador for Ciroc, championing local clothing brand Ama Kip Kip, or hosting prestigious invite-only annual parties, L.E.S has done it all while remaining an innovative and adaptable force on the mic.