Rising out of East Oakland, 1100 HIMSELF carries his neighborhood with him in both name and sound. Raised in Funktown around 11th Avenue and East 24th Street, he grew up a product of his environment. School never quite worked in his favor. He was kicked out of Oakland schools repeatedly until middle school, spending much of his early years running the streets and trying to make something shake in a big Bay Area city where survival and ambition often go hand in hand.
Like many kids from his section, he was shaped by what he saw daily. But music slowly became an outlet. He drew inspiration from artists like Chief Keef, Tyler, the Creator, Joey Bada$$, and Earl Sweatshirt, along with a wide range of talent from inside and outside the city. By 10th grade, the foundation was being laid. His cousin C4 would bring an iPad to school, making beats during lunch for them to rap over. What started as something to pass time began turning into something more serious.
His name holds meaning. “1100” represents where he’s from — his section — while others around him claimed 1300. Taking pride in his block, he stamped it in his identity, becoming 1100 HIMSELF.
As his craft sharpened, so did the attention around him. He appeared on three Thizzler cyphers back to back, showcasing his originality and adding to the traction he had already built. His style stood out naturally: laid back, calm, and controlled, with unique flow pockets and a strong emphasis on storytelling.
In 2020, he released Funk Theft Auto, marking a defining step in his catalog. Two years later, he teamed up with Mitchell for the collaborative tape 2 Headed GOAT, a project that highlighted their chemistry. His solo effort The 11th Hokage pushed his momentum even further, setting the stage for continued growth.
In 2023, he followed up with Leven Durant, adding another layer to his evolving sound. The standout single “Not to Self” captured listeners with its honesty and delivery. By 2024 and into 2025, projects like The Lev Show and Janky K showed clear progression, proving he was only refining his craft.
Now, with his latest album The Misadventures of Lev & Sleep, 1100 HIMSELF delivers 15 records featuring appearances from Big Sad 1900 and PayQtheloot. From Funktown beginnings to a growing catalog of consistent releases, his story is one of persistence, identity, and staying true to where he comes from.
