The FADER’s longstanding series GEN F profiles emerging artists to know now. In the heart of Brooklyn, a group of twenty-somethings gathers in front of an industrial warehouse, capturing the essence of a new generation. Among them is Liim, a 22-year-old polymath from Harlem whose artistic vision is as expansive as his influences. With his sophomore album, A Sunflower Garden In Harlem Is Hard To Find, Liim is proving that his sincere raps born from the concrete of New York are resonating far beyond his neighborhood.

The creative process for Liim is deeply personal. His single “Wanna Be With You” serves as a nostalgic bridge to his teenage years, blending the soulful sensibilities of Stevie Wonder with the modern, genre-bending sounds of Blood Orange and Steve Lacy. “We were on our Martin and Gina shit for real,” he reflects, laughing about the inspiration behind the track. This ability to weave personal history into a polished, genre-agnostic sound has become his signature.

A Visionary Approach to Hip-Hop

Liim’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by the cinematic history of hip-hop. He cites films like Paid In Full and Juice as foundational texts, aiming to act as a conductor between the classic era and his own generation. His music videos, such as the 9oodkid-directed “R.I.P. Peace,” utilize creative visual techniques that feel both retro and futuristic, ensuring his work stands out in a crowded digital landscape.

Despite his rapid rise, Liim remains grounded in his roots. Raised by a Muslim immigrant mother in Harlem, he grew up without cable, often finding solace in the movies and music videos his father cherished. This upbringing fostered a deep, sometimes painful, awareness of his reality. “I always had a very hard time with my reality,” he admits. “I was very conscious of the violence happening around me. It made me not wanna be around anybody for real.”

Finding Peace Through Art

Singing became a vital outlet for Liim, though he initially suppressed it due to external pressures. It wasn’t until he connected with collaborator Opraah that he felt empowered to embrace his voice again. This journey from GarageBand demos to critical acclaim has been swift. His 2025 debut, Liim Lasalle Loves You, showcased his ability to emote through both singing and rapping, a skill he continues to refine.

“I consider myself a rapper first before anything,” Liim clarifies. “For me, it’s easy to make someone feel something through singing. But if you wanna rap about some shit like that and have somebody cry, it can be hard to do that. I wanna get better at rapping and being able to make what somebody can feel in a song through a rap.”

As he prepares for a busy tour schedule and a performance at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw, Liim remains focused on the music itself. “I’m not even thinking of this as a breakout moment,” he says. “I want to change the world with my music. This music has changed my friend’s lives, my mother’s life. I just wanna make music, bro. Seriously.”