Ned Wellbery a.k.a. Leedz was Born in Lynn, MA and raised in transit between northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. He was subjected to music as soon as he was born. His Grandfather was a Jazz drummer and would play constantly in front him. His mother was a big fan of folk music and taught him the importance of lyrics through the music of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. But as a teenager, he fell victim of a broken home when his dad disappeared when he was only 11 years old, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves in subsidized housing. Leedz then struggled with oppression and low income living. This is where he found his love for Hip Hop. “I can remember the day so vividly. My neighbor brought me down a copy of Ice Cube’s “The Predator” and “Death Certificate” and I was instantly hooked. I was into Heavy Metal at the time and was blown away by the rawness and power of Cube’s music. I realized that Rap was the official voice of the struggle”. He soon began studying the culture compulsively. Public Enemy, NWA, House of Pain, Cypress Hill, and Ice-T became role models instead of his parents. But as Leedz got older, he became more in need for material gains. “I was broke all the time and it got old.” He soon became involved with the drug game and a full-time dealer. “Marijuana was my specialty cause I felt it should be legal, but unfortunately the law thinks different. Looking back on those days now, I realize how much of my potential I wasted in the wrong direction”. With the extra money now being made, Leedz invested in turntables and equipment. He soon became the hardest working DJ in the Rockingham County. He ended up releasing over 25 mixtapes in two and a half years. As he became more obsessed with vinyl he proved that he had the best work ethic around. Leedz then was able to secure steady work DJing parties and clubs in NH. But in a scene that was too commercially driven and five years of drug dealing eating at his soul, It was time for a new plan.
In 2002, Leedz enrolled at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He majored in Music Business already having an associates in Business Management. Within the first six months of being at NU, he landed an internship with the number one Hip Hop promotions company in Boston, Metro Concepts. “They taught me more in three months then I learned in 3 years of being at that school. Tim Lindberg, co-founder, acted as my mentor and spoon fed me the industry.” But Leedz struggled to find his niche though. Record labels were failing and there were no jobs that paid. The Music Industry was getting worse and worse by the day. By 2003, the whole entire Boston underground Hip Hop scene was completely dead. This is where he found his role. There were no Hip Hop shows in Boston at this time. No one wanted to do them because they were failing financially and no one was supporting. He decided then to become a Hip Hop promoter and founded “Leedz Edutainment”. With everyone urging him NOT to do it, he soon became the biggest underground Hip Hop promoter in Boston and is responsible for bringing thru major acts such as Talib Kweli, Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf, EPMD, A$AP Rocky, Danny Brown, Mac Miller, Mobb Deep, Joey Bada$$, Trinidad James, Action Bronson, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, El-P, Dead Prez, Styles P, Clipse, Camron, Onyx, Warren G, Wale, M.O.P, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Devin the Dude, Aesop Rock, JR Writer, La Coka Nostra, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Brother Ali, Mr. Lif, Cormega, Royce Da 5’9, Ill Bill, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, AZ, Boot Camp Clik, Chris Webby, Sam Adams, Raekwon The Chef, Immortal Technique, Cage, Masta Ace, Brand Nubian, Chiddy Bang, Zion I, Everlast, and many more to come. “Shows can be such a headache sometimes, but there is an art to it and I truly love what I do.”
In 2012, Ned was offered the Middle East upstairs booking agent position booking every genre of music 7 days a week. “The Middle East Nightclub has always been my home and main venue, they have always supported me and stood behind my shows no matter what and its an honor to be apart of the team and help support the local music scene. ” says Ned.
In a city that needs more support for its own, Ned Wellbery has become a staple in the Boston music scene. “I made the decision along time ago that this is what I was gong to do with my life. The ups and downs can be very difficult to deal with but i wouldn’t want to do anything else right now”. says Leedz