Lebron Joseph, aka KING BRONZE, is a New Orleans rapper and musician with dreams of helping people elevate out of hardships and rise to their potential through his music.

KING BRONZE’s newest release, “With My Friends,” features children from the Roots of Music. According to its website, the organization “empowers the youth of New Orleans through music education, academic support, and mentorship, while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of our city.” KING BRONZE participated in the program as a child and is now a staff member, teaching students of his own.

 When creating his new song, KING BRONZE had the choice to put anyone on the track but specifically chose the Roots of Music children. “They’re special to me and through teaching them to make a song, you get to see where the world might go in the future,” he said. “I want to instill something in them that actually makes a difference in their future.” 

Jaryn Willis, Michael Green, Miguel Whitley, Spiderwebs, Jany’a Williams, Kelci McGinnis, Javier Toliver and Rashad Thornton are the kids who star alongside him in the video.

KING BRONZE raps with a positive attitude in hopes to help everyone who is listening. Being a young artist from the 7th Ward of New Orleans, he wants to let people know where he’s from while also uplifting people going through the same things. “I feel like it’s my calling,” he said. “This is what I’m put on earth to do.”

His musical foundation finds its power from years and years of trombone playing. As a child in third grade, King Bronze received his first trombone for Christmas and hasn’t put it down since.

KING BRONZE learned how to play the trombone from Wilbert Rawlins Jr., band director at Landry-Walker, and from Doctor Isaac Greggs, Southern University legend and band director. From third grade to high school, King Bronze participated in bands such as George Washington Carver’s Senior High School Marching Band, LLI (Louisiana Leadership Institute) Marching Band, and Saint Augustine’s High School Band.

He was a fashion merchandising major at Southern University in Baton Rouge where he started his own brand: Elev8n Brand. After two years at Southern University in Baton Rouge, KING BRONZE moved back to New Orleans to focus on his own musical journey.

When we asked him what he wanted to impart most to OffBeat readers, he said “keep your cheese up, and never stop elevatin’.” Follow him on Instagram.