Lakobeil

Lakobeil: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B
Lakobeil is a dynamic R&B singer and songwriter who emerged from Atlanta's vibrant music scene. His fusion of classic soul melodies with contemporary production has carved out a distinct niche, leading to a certified Gold single and a top-ten debut album on the Billboard R&B charts.
Early career
Born in 1994, Lakobeil, whose real name is Lakeith Obiel, began his musical journey in church choirs in his native Atlanta. He started self-releasing tracks on SoundCloud in his late teens, building a local following that caught the attention of independent label Soulful Echo Records, which released his debut EP, "Quiet Storm," in 2016.
Breakthrough
Lakobeil's major breakthrough arrived in 2019 with the release of his single "Midnight Drive." The song's smooth vocals and atmospheric beat became a streaming sensation, ultimately earning a RIAA Gold certification and leading to his signing with major label Capitol Records later that year.
Key tracks
Midnight Drive — This Gold-certified single was his commercial breakthrough, dominating R&B radio for weeks.
Fool's Gold — The lead single from his debut album showcased his more vulnerable songwriting and earned critical praise.
Neon Lights (feat. Ari Lennox) — This high-profile collaboration expanded his audience and highlighted his chemistry with other soulful vocalists.
Georgia Rain — A deeply personal track that pays homage to his Southern roots and remains a fan favorite at live shows.
Capitalizing on this momentum, Lakobeil released his first major-label album, "Echoes in the Static," in 2021. The project debuted at number seven on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, solidifying his place in the genre. His recent work includes collaborations with producers like DJ Camper and songwriting credits for artists including H.E.R., demonstrating his growing influence behind the scenes.
Fans of Lakobeil's smooth, emotive style should also explore the work of similar artists in the modern R&B space. Snoh Aalegra shares his penchant for cinematic, soul-baring ballads. Leon Bridges similarly masterfully blends classic soul inspiration with a modern sensibility. SiR offers a comparable vibe of laid-back, introspective R&B from the West Coast. The textured production and vocal delivery of Gallant also provide a compelling parallel to Lakobeil's artistic approach.
Lakobeil's music is a staple on contemporary R&B and urban adult contemporary radio stations featured on this website. His hits receive regular airplay across a network of stations dedicated to the latest in soulful music, from major market FM stations to specialized online radio streams.
Listeners can discover the soulful sound of Lakobeil by tuning into the R&B and modern soul radio stations available right here on onairium.com, where his tracks are frequently featured in our programming rotation.
