Leon Waldo
“If nobody is knocking on your door, you have to open it for yourself.”
Sometimes, you gotta step out and do your own thing…and it becomes everything you’ve ever hoped for. This artist knows his dream is worth the leap. Our next CUT in Blaque artist is beautifully building: Leon Waldo.
Leon Waldo was born on March 14, 1996 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Waldo is a singer, songwriter, and producer who decided to bet on himself early. Waldo has been creating music since he was in his early teens. Ten years later, he’s still giving it his all to perfect his craft for a much greater purpose: representation and a safe space that he desired while he was a young Black Queer artist.
Waldo’s music journey has a familiar beginning that we recognize in many of our Black favorite icons: sweet starts in the church. The son of a choir leader, Waldo spent a grand amount of time during his early years learning everything about music. We do mean everything: singing, learning instruments, captivating a crowd…the whole package! Consistent support and guidance from his mother combined with an essential learning curve, Waldo developed his skills as an artist and was ready for the next leap of faith: breaking into the music industry.
Song of the Show
A CUT in Blaque segment highlighting Black LGBTQIA+ musical talent from around our community across genres through a series of artist videos, song snippets, and reviews to increase awareness amongst our people.
Waldo’s jump into his purpose didn’t exactly provide a soft land. After having no luck in securing radio spots for his music, Waldo decided to create his own space to showcase his talent. Waldo and his mother founded Waldo Warehouse in 2018; since its launch, Waldo Warehouse has served as a creative company that is ready to inspire and support generations of Black Queer artists.
Since the initial launch of Waldo Warehouse, Waldo has been busy producing and releasing a stream of projects. His impressive discography includes the EP Pariah. (2018), Lunar Confessions. (2019), Secrets of a Melanin Monk. (2020), and QUEERWAVE. (2021), his most recent work. Within his work, Waldo largely speaks on his experience as a Black Queer man who didn’t quite fit in anywhere. The pain of being outed and therefore outcasted is a relatable point that many young Black Queer people share, and it’s his expressive, yet comforting, music that reminds them that there is a space for them. Largely because he’s dedicated to creating one as an artist!
Waldo is currently still producing and creating incredible music, including putting on live performances of music already out. He’s working to continue to grow Waldo Warehouse to serve as the representation and safe space that Black Queer musicians and artists can rely on. What are a few of your favorite projects from him? Drop them in the comments below!
Starter Pack: Leon Waldo
Each Starter Pack playlist is a curated compilation of a Black Queer artist’s greatest musical hits, further exploring the music of the African diaspora. This includes jazz, blues, gospel, rock and roll, hip hop, and R&B.