Beyond the Opener: How Lexa Gates Delivered a Soulful Standout

Released: January 16, 2026

Lexa Gates is an artist I’ve known of for a while, but admittedly, I hadn’t put the time into her music until now. I actually saw her perform as an opener in 2025 and enjoyed her set, so when I saw her new album I Am was releasing, I knew it was time to tune in. I was expecting something high-quality after seeing her live, and she did not let me down.

Because I knew Lexa did a mix of rapping and singing, I was prepared for that dynamic going in. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by how much she actually rapped; she didn’t just fill tracks with singing or lean too heavily on her vocals. It was used in exactly the right doses throughout. That doesn’t mean I loved every single song, but the balance was excellent. When Lexa Gates is rapping, her skill is undeniable. There are no lazy flows or filler rhymes throughout this nearly hour-long project.

Her music is filled with soul, emotion, and passion. She speaks on relationships, family, and her career, capturing the highs and lows that come with all of them. For me, this leans a bit more into “mood music” than a casual daily listen, but the more I listened, the more I enjoyed the album and saw her shine.

Lexa Gates really impressed me with I Am. Her rap skills, paired with a genuinely good singing voice, create a formula that is rarer than it should be. I finally see what Johnny Shipes saw; he has one of the best ears in the industry and he nailed it with Lexa. I’ve got some catching up to do, but I definitely see the vision now.

Standout Tracks: I Don’t Even Know, Past It, Stop Me, Rest Of My Life & Nothing To Worry About

Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (8.5/10)