Meet L.yton: The RnB Prodigy Turning Struggles into Soulful Soundscapes

At just 18 years old, L.yton is carving a name for himself in the world of RnB, blending elements of jazz, hip hop, and raw storytelling to create music that’s as authentic as it is unforgettable. Hailing from Peterborough, UK, this rising artist channels influences like The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Amy Winehouse, and Kurt Cobain to craft a sound that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.

L.yton’s music is more than a collection of beats and melodies—it’s his lifeline. From navigating homelessness to finding his voice, he’s poured his soul into every track, sharing his journey with an honesty that hits home. His sultry tones and introspective lyrics are matched by an effortless knack for production, as he shapes airy, bouncy vibes with dusty drums and unforgettable basslines.

With his debut single, Confess, hinting at his potential, L.yton is set to truly shine with his upcoming release, Lady Stone (dropping December 14, 2024), marking his first radio debut. As he pours his energy into crafting his debut EP, collaborating with local musicians, and refining his solo artistry, L.yton is proving that he’s not just a voice to watch—he’s a force to be reckoned with.

“Music is the only thing that’s remained consistent in my life,” L.yton reflects. And with his unrelenting drive and a story worth telling, he’s ready to take his one shot—and he’s not going to miss.

Your music seamlessly blends RnB with influences from jazz, hip hop, and even grunge. How do you approach creating a sound that feels both modern and timeless while honoring such diverse inspirations like Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain?

The Weeknd, Kurt, Amy, Kendrick—they all approached music with emotion. It wasn’t about theory or trying to please others; they created for themselves, and if someone connected with that, they’d done their job. That same mindset influences my approach, and it seeps into my music, even from a production standpoint. I started producing during the lockdown and have been honing that skill ever since. I incorporate Kendrick's drum sampling techniques, The Weeknd’s melodic ideas (especially from his 2011 era), Amy’s warm jazz atmosphere, and Cobain’s raw writing style. When you mix all that with my own ear, it creates a unique synergy, blending disparate influences with my personal taste.

Storytelling is a cornerstone of your music. How do your personal experiences, such as navigating homelessness and personal challenges, shape the emotional depth and honesty of your lyrics?

I started making music back in secondary school with my classmate James Fernandez (JXYAH). At first, we were your typical pair of pre-pubescent wannabe rappers, and I mean he kind of suited the role, he was actually cool, but who was I kidding, glasses, a bag that could topple me over if I leant too far back and an incredibly underdeveloped sense of self, I was just following the crowd if I’m completely honest, but I still stuck out like a sore thumb, I knew it and so did everybody else. I didn’t fully know who I was, and I definitely didn’t show it at school. But when I got home, it was a different story.

My first solo works were love songs to a girl I was head over heels for. I’d record little guitar demos and send them to her and say they were about someone else. I couldn’t express myself honestly at the time, but in my head, I was communicating, doing it in a way where there was no fear of being rejected or misunderstood.

Things started getting complicated as I went through a personal crisis. I was caught up in a toxic on-and-off relationship, struggling with mental health, family tensions, and substance abuse. By the time I got to college, I was completely lost. I stopped caring about myself completely, I wasn’t eating, sleeping, I didn’t care about schoolwork, or who I was hurting, I had basically given up, I’d get high on whatever I could, whenever I could, to cope and eventually these actions got me expelled and kicked out of home at 16, left with nowhere to go.

I spent a lot of time sofa surfing and even sleeping rough for a night or two. That’s when I met Ciaran Edwards (C.Dot) through our mutual friend. We connected instantly over our shared love of music, and that was when my creativity really began to flow. We’d smoke pot in his room, make music late into the night, and I’d pour my heart into my lyrics, writing about my struggles, toxic behaviours, and broken relationships.

In the years that followed, I explored different genres, but it wasn’t until recently that I began to feel like I was truly finding my voice. My experiences, especially the hard ones, shape my writing. I’ve lived through some dark times, and I haven’t even touched on half of it, but those are the moments that fuel my music. In the bleakest times, I find inspiration. My lyrics tell my story in the rawest way possible, but I want them to sound poetic in nature, to take something ugly and turn it into art. I can’t lie in my music, it’s the only way I can communicate.

Your upcoming single, Lady Stone, is already creating buzz with your first radio appearance. Can you share what inspired this track and what listeners can expect from it?

Lady Stone was inspired by the night that ultimately got me kicked out of home. I had been out with friends and ended up in a bad state, waking up with hazy memories and stumbling around. But one thing I vividly remember is a conversation I had with a woman on my street. I couldn’t recall what she said, but the look in her eyes, it stuck with me. The whole situation felt surreal, almost like a nightmare, and it really unsettled me.

I turned that feeling into the song, reinventing her as a paranormal figure, a ghostly presence haunting me that night. In reality, she was probably just a normal person, but in my state, she seemed like something far more sinister.

As for the track itself, it has an eerie, seductive vibe. It’s not just a song, but a story that plays out in your mind as you listen. The instrumentation carries my signature R&B style, giving it a sultry tone, while the melodies keep things fresh and engaging. I’m always aiming to evolve as an artist, so while this song has a certain feel, I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and push boundaries—listeners can expect more to come as I continue to develop as a musician.

As a young artist crafting your debut EP, how are you balancing solo creative control with collaborating with local musicians to bring your vision to life?

My debut EP will consist of six songs, with only one featuring another vocalist. For the rest, I've worked with a guitarist to bring my ideas to life, especially when it comes to things I don’t have the technical know-how for. I’ve collaborated with both JXYAH and C.Dot on multiple projects in the past, and we have a strong creative synergy. JXYAH and I go way back to secondary school, and C.Dot and I share an almost symbiotic relationship when it comes to making music.

The process is really about clear communication, I know what I want, and I trust both of them to bring their talents to the table without ever taking away from the core message I’m trying to convey. I’ve found that balance between maintaining control over my vision and allowing my collaborators to add their own unique elements, which ultimately enhances the music. I’m hoping to release the EP in early January, as long as everything stays on track.

You’ve described music as your lifeline. Looking back at the journey from your synth-heavy RnB beginnings to now, what do you think has been the most defining moment in shaping your artistry?

I’ve always had a deep connection to music, it’s in my blood. My biological mother was a semi-professional singer, and my adoptive mom, though she might disagree, was an amazing singer as well. Music was always around me, but it wasn’t until I was about 8 or 9 that I was introduced to proper R&B by my aunts, with artists like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Akon. Their storytelling inspired me, and I began to see music as a powerful tool for expressing emotion and experience.

A game-changing moment came when I was 11 and discovered Starboy by The Weeknd. That album completely altered my perspective on music. I dove into his entire discography, analyzing his vocal techniques and production styles, leading to my more synth-based RnB. During this time, I also discovered Kendrick Lamar through Sidewalks, which led me down a rabbit hole into jazz and sampling techniques, particularly in drum and percussive elements. These artists deeply shaped my understanding of what music could be.

In my teenage years, my friends had a huge influence on my sound. At 14, my best friend introduced me to Green Day and Nirvana. At first, I didn’t understand it, but as I grew older, I found a space in my heart for the raw energy that those bands conveyed. I formed a band with friends who were obsessed with My Bloody Valentine, Soundgarden, and Deftones further pushed me toward this direction. Although we didn’t take things too seriously, I owe my interest in that style to them. What really resonated with me in particular, was Kurt Cobain’s introspective songwriting. This is when everything clicked for me. I realized that blending my love for R&B with elements of rock and jazz could create something unique, and that shift in perspective was a defining moment in shaping my artistry.