By: Taylor Berry
FORT WAYNE, Ind. After immersing listeners in the cinematic world of Corleone: Part II, Indiana rapper Calebdoee takes a more personal approach on his latest EP, VOL 1., The Leftovers. The three-track release finds the Fort Wayne artist stepping away from concept-driven storytelling and reconnecting with the passion that first inspired him to pick up a microphone at just nine years old.
For Calebdoee, whose real name is Caleb Martin, the project represents more than a collection of songs left over from previous recording sessions. It’s a creative reset built around authenticity, emotion, and his lifelong love for hip-hop. While Corleone: Part II explored larger-than-life themes through the lens of a fictional persona, VOL 1., The Leftovers brings listeners back to the artist behind the music.
The EP showcases Calebdoee’s versatility across three distinct records. “PSA” reflects his sharp lyricism, while “Brooklyn, USA” serves as a tribute to two of his biggest influences, Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. The project’s centerpiece, however, is “YOU&ME,” a heartfelt love song inspired by the classic film Love Jones.
“I got to visualize a girl that I felt would fit in my life at the current time, and it turned out to be a good love story,” he explained. “One of my biggest influences on it was the movie Love Jones. I watched that and ended up writing the song shortly afterward.”
Known for weaving vivid imagery into his lyrics, Calebdoee says creating that visual experience is one of his favorite aspects of songwriting.
“The imagery,” he said. “It’s like an illustration of a song. I want you to be able to have a visualization of what I’m speaking about.”
That attention to detail extends beyond the lyrics. Although “YOU&ME” feels effortless, the song had been years in the making.
“I had the beat for about four years,” he said. “I finally sat down around the era where I stopped making my current mixtape and ended up coming up with ‘YOU&ME.’ I felt this was the perfect time to make that song.”
The project also reunites Calebdoee with longtime collaborator and producer T-Zank, a creative partnership that spans more than six years. Together, the pair continue refining a sound rooted in jazz, boom bap, and conscious hip-hop while pushing their production into new territory.
“When me and Zank sit down and make a beat, I’ll give him an idea, and he makes it come to reality better than any engineer that I’ve had so far,” Calebdoee said.
Outside the studio, family continues to play an important role in his artistic vision. Every cover art release has been designed by his sister, creating a consistent visual identity throughout his growing catalog.
“I’ll go to her with the product,” he said. “We’ve got all bangers so far. We’ve been doing it for a long time, so we speak the same language.”
With five mixtapes under his belt and music remaining his top priority, Calebdoee shows no signs of slowing down. Fans can expect additional live performances before he returns to the studio to begin work on his next project.
“I want to try and get a mixtape out in the next two months,” he said. “I still got a lot of ideas.”
Listen to The Leftovers, which received promotional support from Starlight PR.
About Calebdoee
Calebdoee is a rapper, songwriter, and producer from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rapping since the age of nine, the 30-year-old artist has released five mixtapes while building a reputation for thoughtful lyricism, vivid storytelling, and production inspired by jazz, boom bap, and conscious hip-hop. Whether creating conceptual projects or deeply personal records, Calebdoee remains committed to preserving the artistry of hip-hop while continuing to evolve his sound.
Listen to “YOU&ME” on Spotify and follow Calebdoee for more updates and new music.
