LESTER NOWHERE: FROM PRATO TO KANYE'S STUDIO

MONOBI/@monobistudio/@m.b.photographer

In the contemporary music landscape, where the line between underground and mainstream grows thinner by the day, certain artists emerge who don't just interpret the present but actively shape it. Lester Nowhere is one of these rare names. An Italian producer, young but already acutely aware of his own sound, he has managed to gain recognition in the studios that truly matter, those where era-defining music is born.

Just a decade into his journey, Lester has already produced tracks that have caught the attention of artists and industry professionals internationally. His name has recently been linked with Kanye West, an absolute reference point in the global musical and cultural universe. A collaboration born as the natural outcome of an ambitious musical vision, built with care and instinct.

But Lester isn't just focused on America: he remains deeply rooted in the Italian scene, where he's helping to redefine the sound of contemporary rap. His productions range from cinematic and minimal atmospheres to more aggressive and experimental beats, always carrying a signature sound based on sampling and bold stylistic choices.

At a time when music moves fast and trends change at the same speed we scroll through feeds, Lester Nowhere moves with determined steps, not chasing trends but creating something that anticipates them. His work tells a clear story: that of uniting different worlds, influences, and languages through a sound that speaks the universal language of innovation.

We met with him to hear his story—who he is, how he came to work with some of the most influential names in global rap, what it means to be a producer in Italy and the world today, and his vision on much more.

MONOBI/@monobistudio/@m.b.photographer

Here's what he told us.

The Beginning

You're a young and talented producer. How did this great passion begin and how has it evolved over the years to become a real job?

I started messing around with music when I was 13. I fell in love with American rap and producers like Madlib, 9th Wonder, Q-Tip and Kanye who ignited my passion for sampling. My interest for making beats kept growing bigger and I started making my first friendships and connections online, on SoundCloud. Pretty soon I started putting together and releasing projects, solo and collaborative. My beats begun getting some unexpected but very welcome traction on DSPs, where to this day I reached more than 40 million plays. That's when I was like "okay, maybe I can make this work".

The Kanye Connection

How did the collaboration with Kanye West come about and how has it influenced your career?

Ye has always been my favorite artist ever. In summer 2023, shortly after my father passed away, I got the news from a friend that Ye was in my own hometown, Prato. I remember I was rotting in my bed: I lit up in a trance-like state: I immediately grabbed my car keys and started looking for him around the town. After three days and a series of lucky coincidences I was able to intercept him. I had with me a CD I burned the night before with my favorite beats and sample chops. Ye noticed me waving the CD in the air and sent his assistant to grab it. That already felt like a dream: being able to give Kanye my music in my own, not so popular hometown.

Three days later I got the call to go to the studio, where I met him: he freestyled to like 6 of my tracks in front of me, enjoying my sound. That marked the beginning of the 6 months that I spent with him and the Yeezy team across Italy, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the US. Every day I was learning crazy sh*t from Ye, and I was meeting and working with legends like Ty Dolla $ign, Om'Mas Keith and Wheezy to name a few. We then kept working remotely until the albums Vultures 1 and 2 dropped, there I co-produced "KING" and "SLIDE". I keep sending ideas for future projects now and then, and there are many demos produced by me that I hope will see the light of day.

The experience clearly opened many doors in the music industry for me, but the main value is what I learned from being in such close contact with such greatness and genius. And I also got a fat self confidence boost since one of the Gods of sampling liked my chops so much.

MONOBI/@monobistudio/@m.b.photographer

Dream Collaborations

Is there an international artist you still dream of collaborating with?

Isaiah Rashad, Ab-Soul, and the whole Top Dawg roster. Kid Cudi would be another dream come true. Earl Sweatshirt, Bon Iver, Carti, Maxo Kream, Rocky, Jack Harlow… the list goes on.

Italian Identity

How does your Italian identity influence your production style?

I often sample a lot of lesser know Italian music. Lately I'm in love with Naples' music, it feels like Italian Soul/R&B.

Collaboration Philosophy

How do you choose the artists you collaborate with and what qualities do you look for in a rapper?

Mutual respect, building a relationship, making music that's not conditioned by industry schemes and presets.

Lester Nowhere

Studio Stories

Can you tell us an anecdote or a particular moment experienced in the studio with Kanye or other big names in international rap?

Only if you promise to pay my NDA fine. What I can say is that he really liked that I was wearing Margiela tabi shoes when we first met.

What's Next

What should we expect from your next project? Do you have any important new collaborations planned?

Yes, but I don't like to say a lot until it's out.

SoundCloud Generation

What do you think of the scene of DJs and producers on SoundCloud that is having a big impact on the musical landscape?

I haven't been on SoundCloud a lot lately, so I'm not sure what's on at the moment. I will always love that platform though. I think it kinda has been my generation's MySpace. Might restart dropping demos there.

Lester Nowhere

Staying Authentic

How do you manage the balance between international influences and the desire to maintain an authentically your own sound?

I like to stay true to my sound as much as possible, but I'm also happy to get out of my comfort zone when the music is good. I try not to get too influenced by the trends and make music that will sound dated in a year.

Italy's Future

Looking to the future, do you think Italy can become a global reference point for urban music production?

I'm not too fond of where Italian music is right now but I think we might be heading to a better place in the next few years. We should start appreciating and interpolating more our heritage music and stop looking away from our country if we want to create something that's unique worldwide.

Lester Nowhere