Leeshia Lee: Documenting West Virginia’s Hip-Hop Legacy

In the heart of West Virginia, where coal mines and mountain ballads have long shaped the cultural landscape, a new voice is capturing a different rhythm—the pulse of hip-hop. That voice belongs to Leeshia Lee, a Charleston-based hip-hop journalist, photographer, and storyteller whose work has become a lifeline for the state’s urban music scene.

Through her platform, The Scene It Route, Leeshia has spent years chronicling West Virginia’s growing hip-hop culture. Her interviews, photo essays, and video documentaries ensure that the contributions of artists, DJs, and producers are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated. More than just a photographer, she is an advocate, preserving and elevating the stories of Black Appalachia and hip-hop’s undeniable place in WV’s cultural identity.

Her latest project—a viral video compiling major rappers who have referenced West Virginia in their music—has taken social media by storm. Featuring shoutouts from Jadakiss, Jack Harlow, Big Sean, Hussein Fatal, Mac Miller, Lupe Fiasco, Chino XL, and Ari Lennox, the video is a testament to how deeply WV’s influence runs in hip-hop, even if it’s often overlooked.

Leeshia has also curated a snapshot of hip-hop references to West Virginia football legend Randy Moss, further cementing the state’s imprint on music and culture.

“West Virginia has a hip-hop history that needs to be seen and heard,” says Leeshia. “We have talent here, and we have stories that deserve recognition. I want to make sure our artists, past and present, are documented in a way that lasts.”

Beyond hip-hop, Leeshia is a cultural force in Charleston, WV—producing plays, community events, and photography exhibits that showcase the rich history and resilience of Black Appalachians. Whether she’s capturing a rapper’s first studio session, organizing the Fairy Boss Mother’s Ball for young girls to see themselves as royalty, or documenting the West Side’s legacy, she is writing history in real-time.

With The Scene It Route gaining momentum and more eyes on her work, Leeshia Lee is proving that West Virginia hip-hop is not just surviving—it’s thriving.

🔗 Watch her latest videos here:

Leeshia has been a faithful contributor to Black By God— she’s BBG’s Day One, and we are deeply grateful for her presence. 

☕ Buy Leeshia a cup of coffee. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blackbygod