# Lexa Gates

> Lexa Gates (born Ivanna Alexandra Martinez) is a Queens-raised rapper, singer, and performance artist blending jazz-soul atmospheres with spoken word rap and stream-of-consciousness lyricism. Known for a calm, unhurried delivery packed with emotional density, she broke through with the viral single 'Angel' (2023) before signing to GoodTalk/Capitol Records and releasing her acclaimed label debut *Elite Vessel* (2024), followed by the 18-track solo statement *I Am* (2026). A Colombian-Puerto Rican artist who dropped out of school at 15 and started recording at 17, Gates has become one of New York's most distinctive emerging voices - equal parts Sade and Mac Miller, with a flair for conceptual stunts like locking herself in a glass box in Union Square for 10 hours on album release day.

- **Role:** Recording Artist at GoodTalk/Capitol Records
- **Organizations:** GoodTalk Records, Capitol Records, 48 Lights
- **From:** Queens, New York, USA
- **Nationality:** American (Colombian-Puerto Rican heritage)
- **Education:** Dropped out (10th grade), New York City Public School
- **Known for:** Billboard Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month, March 2025, Label debut *Elite Vessel* reviewed by The Needle Drop and Album of the Year, Co-signs from SZA, Isaiah Rashad, and Clairo

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Born Ivanna Alexandra Martinez in Queens, New York (raised partly in Puerto Rico)
- **2016** — Dropped out of NYC public school at age 15 while in 10th grade
- **2018** — Started making music at age 17 following a breakup; released debut SoundCloud tracks
- **2019** — Early SoundCloud track 'Bring Me Down' reached 100,000 plays at age 18
- **2020** — Released debut album *Order of Events* independently
- **2021** — Released *Delirium* and *Hungry* independently
- **2022** — Released *Universe Wrapped in Flesh* independently (Nature Sounds vinyl release)
- **2023** — Released viral single 'Angel,' which secured her GoodTalk/Capitol Records deal
- **2024** — Released label debut *Elite Vessel* (GoodTalk/Capitol Records, October 18); performed 10-hour glass box stunt in Union Square for album launch
- **2025** — Named Billboard Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month (March 2025)
- **2026** — Released sophomore major label album *I Am* (18 tracks, zero features, January 16); performed 10-hour hamster wheel stunt at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery; embarked on North American and European tour

## Achievements

- Billboard Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month, March 2025
- Label debut *Elite Vessel* reviewed by The Needle Drop and Album of the Year
- Co-signs from SZA, Isaiah Rashad, and Clairo
- Early SoundCloud track 'Bring Me Down' hit 100,000 plays at age 18
- 'I Just Can't Be Alone' surpassed 1 million Spotify streams
- Viral single 'Angel' (2023) secured major label deal with GoodTalk/Capitol Records
- Featured in Rolling Stone, Complex, Billboard, The Face, and Clash Magazine
- Two consecutive conceptual album-launch performance art stunts (glass box 2024, hamster wheel 2026)
- Headlining North American and European tour dates in 2026 including Governors Ball

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Scheduled to perform at Governors Ball in Queens (June 7), KOKO London (June 23), La Maroquinerie Paris (June 24), Melkweg Amsterdam (June 26), Gretchen Berlin (June 27)
- **2026-04** — Performing at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia (April 25, 2026)
- **2026-01** — Released sophomore major label album *I Am* (18 tracks, zero features) via 48 Lights/GoodTalk/Capitol Records; performed 10-hour hamster wheel stunt at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery
- **2025-03** — Named Billboard Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for March 2025
- **2024-10** — Released label debut *Elite Vessel* via GoodTalk/Capitol Records; performed 10-hour glass box stunt in Union Square

## Links

- Website: https://lexagates.com/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lexagates
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexagates/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lexagates

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lexa-gates
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-25