Los Angeles, CA– This past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Lizzy Jeff at one of her favorite vegan spots in Venice. The energy of the place perfectly matched the vibe of our conversation. Between delicious vegan food and healthy drinks, we dove deep into the inspiration behind her new song and music video, “L.A Girl.” The song celebrates the spirit and resilience of Los Angeles and is an ode to the city that shaped her.
With “L.A Girl,” Lizzy Jeff has crafted a track that serves as both a tribute and a call to action for women in Los Angeles, while also acknowledging the city’s rich cultural legacy. This song is not just a hit, it’s a movement. Here’s what Lizzy Jeff had to say about L.A Girl, her creative process, and what’s next.
“I want listeners to feel the power, resilience, beauty, and uniqueness of women from LA. We’re real, we’re fierce, and we come from a long history of powerful women who shaped this city into what it is today.”
Q: What inspired your song L.A Girl?
Lizzy Jeff: The city of Los Angeles is the inspiration behind the song! As much as L.A has been through, I still love this place so much. Growing up here in the late ’80s and early ’90s really laid a beautiful foundation for me to appreciate both the beauty and the tragedy of it all. I wanted to create something that represented the essence of LA, drawing inspiration from both the OGs of the West Coast and new school artists, but from a woman’s perspective. Something that young girls can bump with pride and joy on their way to school, and feel empowered.
Q: What makes Los Angeles so special to you?
Lizzy Jeff: The city is so special to me for so many reasons! Palm trees, ocean waves, gorgeous views, the resilience of Black people, and the unity that’s so often overlooked. I also love the dispensaries, especially the Black-owned ones, and the farmers’ markets. There’s just so much diversity, from the hood to Bel Air, the beaches, and yoga classes. Sunset Blvd, Crenshaw, Simply Wholesome, Nappily Naturals, the music—it’s all magical.
L.A has a rich history, and it’s one of those revolutionary places where so many greats walked the streets and laid the foundation for us. For me, the fact that Nipsey Hussle walked these same streets, right up the street from where I was raised, is so inspiring. And Kobe? I mean, come on—that’s the stuff legends are made of.
Q: How does being from Los Angeles influence your music?
Lizzy Jeff: In so many ways! You can hear L.A in everything I do, all the way through my entire catalog. My first EP was called Westcoast Enchanted because I wanted to show the beauty of L.A from a mystical, ethereal perspective. Growing up through moments like the earthquakes, Rodney King, the Watts riots, the crack epidemic, Boyz n the Hood, Don’t Be a Menace, and the influence of artists like Nate Dogg, Tupac, and the Eastsidaz has deeply impacted my music. L.A’s history, culture, and even its challenges have shaped my creative ideation since day one.
Q: Is there a personal story or specific experience that L.A Girl is based on?
Lizzy Jeff: Yes, L.A Girl is inspired by a multitude of experiences, especially the story of Biddy Mason, one of the first Black women millionaires and a real estate mogul. Her legacy is an essential part of LA’s history, and because of her, L.A is what it is today. That alone is such an inspiration, and I felt it was important to mention her in the song.
I also had a defining moment last year when I saw Kendrick Lamar and all his friends on stage at a concert—it was such a historic moment for L.A culture. I couldn’t help but imagine a stage full of women from L.A and what that would feel like. That thought inspired me to create L.A Girl. I envisioned a dope festival and concert where I could bring together all the incredible women I know from the city. But first, I needed a soundtrack to kick off that vision—and what better statement than “I’m a L.A Girl!”? That’s how the movement began!
Q: What do you want listeners to feel or take away when they hear L.A Girl?
Lizzy Jeff: I want listeners to feel the power, resilience, beauty, and uniqueness of women from LA. We’re real, we’re fierce, and we come from a long history of powerful women who shaped this city into what it is today. When you hear L.A Girl, I want you to feel charged up, just like how I feel every time I step outside and soak up the sun. I want you to taste the fresh mountain air, feel the ocean breeze, and vibe with the energy I’m bringing through every bar. It’s about celebrating the strength and essence of L.A women.
Q: Can you walk us through your creative process while writing and producing the song?
Lizzy Jeff: Absolutely! One of my many studio sessions with Python P stands out. When he played the beat for me, I knew exactly what vibe I wanted to create. I wanted the song to have a danceable feel while also making it catchy enough for people to sing along with. So, I kicked it off with, “Crown, shoulders, knees, toes… wherever I’m focused, my energy flows.” It’s a powerful affirmation that gets people hyped as soon as the beat drops.
I reached out to all my girlfriends and sisters in L.A to ask them what it means to be an L.A girl. I took their answers and infused it with my own meaning, which helped me cultivate the vibe I was looking for. I then hit the booth, ready to record my first verse. I had some of my homegirls join me in the studio to record the background vocals, making it feel like an anthem—something the women can sing along to, but also something the men can vibe with too! The second verse was about keeping it cute but still dropping knowledge about the history and struggles our city and people have overcome.
Q: The song has some important lyrics highlighting the experiences of Black people in inner-city L.A. How important are lyrics to you when crafting a song?
Lizzy Jeff: Lyrics are everything! Every word has to mean something, otherwise, what’s the point? I typically have just a few minutes to create something that’s not only beautiful but also makes people think and activate a deeper purpose within themselves. Lyrics are chants, and these chants program people’s subconscious minds. I’m always intentional with my words, especially since I know young listeners are tuning in. I want to make sure the message is strong, real, and empowering.
Q: Are there any themes or messages in L.A Girl that are particularly close to your heart?
Lizzy Jeff: There are a few themes in this song that mean a lot to me. The war on drugs is one of the greatest atrocities against Black people, especially in Los Angeles. As a little girl, I watched how they weaponized cannabis and used it to destroy our communities, family structures, and all the hard work we had put in. So many of our family members were locked up for non-violent cannabis charges. The injustice of it all—people getting life sentences for a third strike on a non-violent drug charge—is something that hits deep. I send love to all my people behind bars.
I’m also passionate about working with brands, farms, and cannabis-related businesses to use my voice for reparations, balance, restoration, healing, and acknowledgment. The issue of redlining and its impact on Black communities is something that also needs to be addressed, as well as police brutality, which has a lasting effect on families and communities. As beautiful as L.A can be, it also has its darkness. My music celebrates it all, while keeping it real and reminding people that there’s still work to be done.
Q: What’s next for you after the release of L.A Girl? Can we expect an album or more singles soon?
Lizzy Jeff: Definitely! I’m working on a gorgeous vinyl collection that’ll feature some of my most impactful music. I’m also focused on music visuals, a short film, events, workshops, a book, and much more. There’s a lot in the pipeline! I’m planning the next Zen & Kush experience, which will take place in L.A on 4/20 as a wellness, healing, and spiritual restoration offering for the city after everything we’ve been through.
Q: Finally, what’s one thing you want your fans to know about you that they might not already?
Lizzy Jeff: I just want people to know that I’m really just a girl, raised by real people—OGs and the community around me. I have my own story to share and a unique perspective on L.A, its history, magic, and beauty. I believe my perspective is an important part of the narrative right now, and I want to represent my people in the dopest, most empowering way possible.
With that said, I’d love to collaborate with some amazing artists like Lauren London, Jhene Aiko, Umi, Jay Rock, Ab Soul, Dom Kennedy, Nilla Allin, Neelam, Echo Hattix, Khrissy B, G Perico, LA Wray, Bon the Don, Vince Staples, Snoop Dogg, Blacc Sam, and Solange. And when the time is right, we can slide up to the Bay for the remix with Kamaiyah, Saweetie, and Paris Nights.
Be sure to stream L.A Girl on all your favorite platforms and keep up with Lizzy Jeff, as she continues to release music that celebrates her Los Angeles roots and empowers others. Follow her on social media to stay updated on upcoming projects, events, and collaborations.
