Authoritative rhymes and confident vocals earned Lakeyah a contract with Quality Control Music, the label with a track record that includes the emergence of Rich the Kid, Lil Baby, and City Girls among its many success stories. It was a head-turning take on City Girls' "JT First Day Out" that attracted Lakeyah to the label. The Atlanta-based rapper/singer has responded with releases such as the charged mixtapes Time's Up (2020) and In Due Time (2021), and the EP No Pressure, Pt. 1 (2022).

Lakeyah Danaee Robinson started singing as a youngster and added rapping to her repertoire in her early teens. While in high school in her native Milwaukee, she was one-half of BTM, a duo who gained notice on YouTube with the track "It's a Fucked Up Love Story." Although BTM broke up, Lakeyah quickly issued her first solo project, The Keymix. After she graduated from high school, Atlanta became her adopted hometown. She made a major local connection in 2019 with a spin on City Girls' single "JT First Day Out," which resulted in a deal with ATL's Quality Control Music.

By the end of 2020, Quality Control provided wider distribution of Lakeyah's The Keymix II tape, and also issued Time's Up, featuring appearances from 42 Dugg, Inayah, and City Girls. Streams of Lakeyah and City Girls' meeting on Time's Up highlight "Female Goat" quickly reached seven digits. In Due Time appeared in April 2021, with Gucci Mane guesting on the song "Poppin." The DJ Drama-hosted My Time (Gangsta Grillz: Special Edition) followed in September, including features by Tee Grizzley, Tyga, and Moneybagg Yo. The EP No Pressure, Pt. 1 was released in 2022, with Latto guesting on the single "Mind Yo Business." ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi