LILRAE2K

LILRAE2K (aka LIL RAE) is a New Zealand rapper known for his melodic flow and atmospheric trap production. Born Alexander Richard Rae in 2000 in Musselburgh, Scotland, and raised in Hawke's Bay and Wellington, the son of jazz drummer John Rae and grandson of Ronnie Rae Sr. bypassed industry gatekeepers to amass 50M+ streams. He broke through at 17 with the closet-recorded, Isekai- and Neziah1k-assisted "Philophobia." The track topped the NZ SoundCloud 50 in 2018, leading to a distribution deal. After supporting UnoTheActivist and Warhol.SS, he dropped "Whoa!" featuring the late Hella Sketchy and released his early compilation mixtape, 18, on New Year's Eve 2018. In 2019, "XO Stars" and "Pick Me Up Then Let Me Fall" led to the Hot & Cold EP, which featured the NZ Hot 20 hit "When I'm Gone" (#13). Following a spot on Church & AP’s Red Bull tour, he released his Enter The Void mixtape in May 2020, backed by a spot as the cover artist for Spotify's Mellow Styles and an Aotearoa tour. Rae released "Rae Yagami" and "In My Prime" (feat. Letoa) later that year. A 2021 run included "Envy," "Things I See," "WNTS" (feat. amol), and co-writing for POETIK's Poetik Justice. He followed with "U AIN'T SH!T" featuring Lil Raven in 2022, and 2023's "SNM!" featuring SLICK and "HOLY." After a health sabbatical, Rae signed with Precise, returning in 2025 with Lost In The Void: ETV II ahead of his May 2026 EP, Catch Me If You Can.