Babyface Ray and Lelo in the greenroom at Racket NYC on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
via the artist.
Last week, Babyface Ray came to New York alongside 42 Dugg and Jorjiana as part of the trio’s ongoing 4 THE TRENCHES tour. If that lineup wasn’t exciting enough, The FADER caught word that fast rising Detroit rapper Lelo would be making a surprise appearance Tuesday night at Racket NYC.
Though they hail from different generations, both Ray and Lelo are adroit lyricists, whose gritty street raps are infused with stylish verve and preternatural confidence. Basically, they always sound like they’ve already aced the test and they’re waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.
The pair met through their mutual collaborator 4amjuno, who frequently produces for Lelo and works as a studio engineer for Ray. Ray recalls 4amjuno casually playing “On the Wall” at a home recording session; Ray liked the track so much he hopped on the song. As for his portion of the song, Lelo recalls the recording session for the initial track as extremely casual: juno sent him the beat and Lelo, on the road in some motel or the other, quickly cut his verse.
Later, Ray and Lelo shot a video for the song together, and developed a closer relationship: Lelo tells me when he needs investment or real estate advice, he can always call up Ray for a thoughtful word. As for whether the pair have a new collab on the way, Ray tells me juno had just played him a promising track “the other day,” though there was no word on when the public might hear it.
The FADER linked up with Babyface Ray and Lelo backstage in the greenroom for a quick chat about how they met, what they admire about each other, and the evolution of Detroit’s sound.
The FADER: Babyface Ray, why did you bring Lelo out to perform tonight?
Babyface Ray: I fuck with Lelo style man, y’know what I’m saying? The beats on the music he choose and just the way he carry himself. And I know he from the city, and it’s crazy sometimes, seeing someone from the [same] city could have a whole different style than you. He’s not scared to go outside and rock some different shit.
Lelo, before you guys met, what was your favorite Babyface Ray song?
Lelo: Damn bruh… Man he got hella shit, but that old Drego x Beno song [“Baecation”] or… I forget the name, but that, “I done came a long way, I drink lean when I’m thirsty,” that shit hard.
Babyface Ray: That shit old as fuck.
That was something I wanted to ask you about Ray – obviously from your days in Doughboyz Cashout to now, you’ve had real longevity and success in a few different eras. Can you talk to us a bit about how the Detroit scene and sound has evolved?
Babyface Ray: The generation I came up with was more like shit talking, environmental shit. Now I think it’s more sauce and swag to it, so it’s more relatable to the world. Sometimes, they would listen to a Detroit rapper and not understand what he got going on; now I feel like it’s evolving past that.
Could you guys tell us about the video shoot for “Off the Wall?”
Lelo: N***a just pulled up to where I’m from. I feel like the block showed him love; n***a was just hella, so chill about pulling up and I feel like that’s how a rapper is supposed to be. A rapper should be able to pull up anywhere and everyone fuck with them and they fuck with everybody.
Ray: I pulled up, I think it was your granddad store? Vibing, kicking it. It was good to see him in that type of environment. Listening to the music, you might not [understand someone]. But I pulled up, trenches.
Lelo, what’s an older Detroit trend you don’t understand or don’t fuck with?
Lelo: I don’t know bruh. I damn near don’t understand the new ones! I understand the old ones.
Ray: What part?
Lelo: I been seeing n***as in the tracksuits and shit, I don’t fuck with that.
Ray: That might be the high school students carrying TECs, you feel me? [laughs]
