If you ask around Turks and Caicos about up-and-coming artists, you’re bound to hear a couple names: LJ, Leo, maybe even just “that guy Spanks.” All of them are me—Leonardo, born and raised on these islands, where it’s not always easy to stand out. That’s kind of the point, though. I never wanted to blend in.

Growing up here, you get used to hearing what you can’t do. People will tell you all the reasons why your dream is impossible, especially if it’s something like music. But honestly, that just pushed me harder. I didn’t want to be just another voice. I wanted to be the one who took the risk, who showed everyone that you can put yourself out there—flaws, doubts, and all—and still make something real.

Music, for me, isn’t about following the same formula. I put in the work because I want my songs to hit different, to surprise people before they’ve even made it to the chorus. I’m obsessed with finding new twists—whether it’s the way I layer a melody or the energy I bring to a trap beat. My sound is about making people feel something, maybe even before they figure out exactly what that feeling is.

There’s something about melodic trap that just lives in my bones. It’s the kind of music that lets you get vulnerable, but still keeps your head nodding. I know I’m not the only one who needs that mix of pain and hope, flex and honesty. That’s what I want to give people—the courage to be themselves, to take that risk, even if everyone around them is saying it won’t work.

People ask what I want out of this, and the answer is simple: longevity. I want to last. I want a team I can trust, people I can build with. That’s it. I’ve never cared much for the flash or the hype. Give me lasting impact over quick fame any day.

Honestly, I’ve got a project right now that I’m sitting on. People keep asking for it, but I haven’t dropped it yet. The tuning isn’t right—at least, not to my ear—and I can tell when something isn’t ready. Maybe I’m a perfectionist, but I think people deserve something that’s actually pleasing, not just another song on the playlist. It’s coming, though. I just want it to be right.

If you want to keep up with what I’m doing, you can find me on Instagram: @CLBSpanks. I’m here to make music that matters, and to prove that even a kid from Turks and Caicos can find his own lane—if he’s willing to put everything on the line.