Leo Bhanji

The London-based singer-songwriter Leo Bhanji first drew notice through his ethereal, boundary-blurring tracks such as the 2019 cuts “Nope” and “Heart of Gold.” Born in Los Angeles, he relocated to London with his family while still a toddler. There, around the age of 12, he began laying down recordings on his home computer. Influenced by Frank Ocean, Future, and Lou Reed, he shaped a lo-fi aesthetic that spanned electronic pop, R&B, hip-hop, and indie rock. After uploading material online, he generated growing interest by 2019 with tracks including “Nope,” “Heart of Gold,” and “Blood & Guts.” The Dirty Hit label eventually signed him, leading to the July 2020 release of his debut EP No Guard, which featured the song “Blade of Hope.”