Leadbluntt (pronounced “leed blunt”) is a 19-year-old producer who has already made a name for himself in the underground rap scene and beyond. Despite his age, he boasts an impressive list of production credits, having worked with artists such as SahBabii, Destroy Lonely, and Homixide Gang, to name a few.

But Leadbluntt’s reach extends beyond the studio. An avid skier who grew up in Vermont, his producer name itself is a reference to a ski trick. We recently spoke with Leadbluntt about his first foray into producing, collaborating with other skiers, and what drives him to keep going.

Can you explain where your producer name comes from?

A "lead blunt" is a ski trick, specifically a grab where you cross your skis and grab the tail. Before I started producing I was skiing every day, and even a lot of my friends are pro skiers. My first name was sswitch, referencing switch skiing (backwards), but it didn’t really click. My boy Durham, who is a crazy skier, came up with the idea of Leadbluntt, and I just went with it from there. Most people think Leadbluntt is a smoking reference, like putting lead in a blunt, but it isn’t.

What made you start making beats, and who would you say were your biggest influences when you first started?

At first, ICYTWAT, but when I actually started to want to make beats, Clayco’s sound with Lone was what inspired me the most. I always felt like I could feel songs in a deeper way, and when I liked a song or beat, I became almost obsessed with it. I think I kind of knew in the back of my head that I had a good ear, even before I started. Outtatown and nosaint were producers that inspired me a lot in the beginning, and Toro y Moi is an electronic artist that always inspired me. I’ve been listening to rap music since I was 5, but my taste has changed a lot over time.

Original Production by Leadbluntt

Click the dots to listen to different beats created by Leadbluntt.

Do you think a lot of producers are focusing on the wrong thing right now, and what should they be focused on instead?

I’m not sure if there is necessarily a right or wrong way to get things done as a producer, because I think everyone has their own strategies and methods. However, I knew from the jump that I didn’t want to be posting my beats on TikTok or Instagram Reels to get discovered. That approach can definitely give people the exposure they’re looking for, but in my eyes, I always respected the producers who naturally made their way up by building relationships and their own sound. Producers who strictly chase placements are missing the key of being a great producer, which comes from the passion you have for a certain sound / type of music.

How did you get better as a producer, and was there ever a point where you were ready to give up?

I think most producers would agree that improvement comes over time, from consistency, trial and error, passion, and dedication. I am constantly listening to music, and I would say that just listening deeply to the music that you love will really help develop an ear for it. I never considered giving up, but I have definitely been discouraged. Getting releases is challenging and unpredictable, and I’ve definitely been let down before. I think that it’s important to understand that getting scrapped is just part of the game. It happens to everyone, even the best producers, and the only thing you can do is to keep pushing.

I saw you moved to New York City last year, do you think the move gave you a lot more opportunities?

I’m from Vermont, which is basically just the woods. There’s no music scene there, so moving to New York definitely gave me some opportunities to get in person with some of the artists I work with. However, as I grew as a producer, I realized that most of the stuff I do can be done completely digitally. So yes, I would say it definitely helped, but I don’t think I would be in a significantly worse place if I hadn’t. Most of the people I work with are based in Atlanta, and are always on the road anyways.

The sample on “what’s it gon take” is insane. How do you decide whether or not to sample something?

I’m pretty sure me and Clayco made that beat in June of last year. Since the beginning of 2025, we locked in super hard for Lone, and built our own sound with him. It’s pretty much a combination of both me and Clayco’s swag. On that song specifically I’m pretty sure Lone picked the sample, either that or it was a random pull from Samplette, I would have to ask Clayco. When I’m looking for something to sample or a melody to pick, it’s mostly based off of the vibe I get hearing it. I get really stressed out sometimes, so I tend to gravitate toward slower sounding stuff a lot almost as a way to balance that out. But otherwise, I try and pick melodies that are memorable, catchy, or captivating, and the drums matter a lot too.

Are you frequently in the studio with any artists? Who are you trying to work with more often?

Almost every artist I've posted about working with, I been in the studio with them, but not necessarily frequently. I’ve also done sessions with artists that the public doesn’t know I’ve ever worked with. If I go to Atlanta, it might be sessions every night, but at home, it’s just whenever I get a call. I mostly work for 00, but I would be super down to work for more electronic artists. I want to bring the vibe of my sound to other genres.

Are there any producers that you've been collaborating with that you really enjoy working with?

For the most part, Ginseng, Bhristo, Clayco, Xgiannii, and all my friends, WB, they know who they are.

Tormod Frostad and Kadi Gomis (audio by Leadbluntt)

Do you think you’ll be making beats forever, and are there any other niches you want to move into other than just producing music?

Yes, but my beats will probably sound really different when I’m older. My taste and inspirations are constantly changing and I just follow whatever calls to me. I don't know if I would call this niche, but I definitely want to score movies in the future. And I'll always be skiing. Shoutout to all my friends who ski., they go crazy. Some of the best skiers in the world, like Tormod Frostad, Kadi Gomis, Hugo Burvall, all also make beats. We all been cooking together a lot. I been trying to have both worlds collide, producing and skiing, however that might take place...

Leadbluntt is Shaping the Intersection of Skiing & Stereo