Skateboarding
Skateboarding
L7NNON: the rap phenomenon steeped in skateboard culture
With a microphone in his hand and a skateboard on his feet, hugely popular Brazilian rapper L7NNON has made his dreams come true.
L7NNON, also known as L7, is a man who has some unique street skills. He's known primarily for being a popular rap artist in his home country of Brazil, but he is also a skateboarder and a good one at that. So much so that he's now making a go at it as a pro.
The 29-year-old's multi-talents were created, crafted and honed on the streets of Rio, so it's apt that the multi-talented artist will be making an appearance at Red Bull Rio Conquest, the skateboarding event that pays homage to the skate culture of great cities around the globe.
L7nnon is a Rio resident
© Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
L7NNON's real name is Lennon Frassetti and he grew up in the streets of Realengo, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, where he learnt to skateboard at an early age. His talent was soon recognised, and he found himself taking part in contests at home and abroad. He even made some prize money, but it wasn't quite enough for him to go pro.
With responsibilities back home in Realengo, he worked as a realtor, and when he could, he would travel with his skateboard friends to ride spots. He counted some of Brazil's top skateboarders, like Leticia Bufoni, among his friends. On one such trip to Barcelona in Spain in 2017, life changed for L7NNON. He travelled there with pro skater Felipe Gustavo, who encouraged L7NNON to pursue a career in music.
"I wanted to make a living from skateboarding but also started singing and rapping. It seems crazy to see myself being recognised for these two talents today," says L7NNON.
On the streets of Rio with his skateboard
© Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
And so, a new chapter in L7NNON's life began. Other people appeared to agree with Gustavo's assessment, and today the Brazilian is one of his country's top rap artists. L7NNON's rhymes are all about the realities and difficulties of life. Life has been a battle.
"Just as I threw myself into rap, skateboarding has been no different. I have 20 screws in my left arm due to skateboarding. All I achieved in skateboarding was after that injury. It was life saying: will you stop or continue? I continued and look where I got."
On stage
© Favio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
Loving life
© Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool
Wherever L7NNON goes, crowds follow. In days gone by, he could enjoy a session at Praça XV or Duó, his favourite spots for skateboarding in Rio, but nowadays, he can't go unnoticed.
"The good part is being able to meet old friends and my references in skateboarding. It is also very satisfying to have people like Leticia Bufoni, Italo Ferreira, Felipe Gustavo and Pedro Scooby by my side."
A big challenge these days is reconciling the frenetic schedule of concerts, travel and life commitments in general with what he wants to do with his skateboarding. Red Bull Rio Conquest will undoubtedly give him the platform to showcase his talents.
"The formula is to believe, to be honest, good, true and sincere."
Catch L7NNON and other world class skateboarders compete at Red Bull Rio Conquest on Red Bull TV, with live coverage beginning on May 28
