About

Ned Wellbery, professionally known as Leedz, is an executive producer, creative director, promoter, and founder of Leedz Edutainment, a company that has spent more than two decades helping shape New England Hip Hop through live events, artist development, and critically acclaimed independent releases.

Throughout his career, Leedz has worked with hundreds of artists while building a reputation for bringing together respected voices from every corner of Hip Hop—from legendary pioneers to today’s underground innovators. His passion has always been connecting artists, telling authentic stories, and creating meaningful music that stands the test of time.

Born and raised between Georgetown, Massachusetts and Sandown, New Hampshire, Leedz developed an appreciation for music at an early age through his jazz drummer grandfather and his mother, whose love of folk music taught him the importance of storytelling. His life changed at twelve years old when his father disappeared, leaving him searching for identity and purpose. Hip Hop became that outlet.

“I remember the day vividly. My neighbor played Ice Cube’s Death Certificate and Public Enemy’s Apocalypse ’91. I was instantly hooked. I realized rap was the official voice of the struggle because they were talking about situations I could relate to—and the beats were banging.”

Inspired by artists such as Gang Starr, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, N.W.A., 2Pac, and many others, Leedz immersed himself in the culture, eventually becoming a DJ before pursuing a career behind the scenes.

In 2001, he enrolled at Northeastern University to study Music Industry. Shortly after, he landed an internship with Metro Concepts, one of the country’s premier street marketing companies, gaining invaluable experience in promotion, branding, and grassroots marketing.

As the music industry changed, Leedz recognized an opportunity to help build New England’s independent scene. In 2004, he founded Leedz Edutainment, promoting his first concert at The Middle East Nightclub in Cambridge. What began as a leap of faith grew into one of Boston’s most respected independent concert promotion companies.

Over the years, Leedz has promoted or worked with an extraordinary list of artists including Kendrick Lamar, Wu-Tang Clan, Logic, Royce da 5’9”, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Talib Kweli, Joey Bada$$, Schoolboy Q, Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Conway the Machine, Ghostface Killah, Jadakiss, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Scarface, Wiz Khalifa, Slaughterhouse, Mobb Deep, and many more.

Beyond live events, Leedz expanded into artist management, branding, consulting, marketing, and executive production. His focus shifted toward creating cohesive, concept-driven albums that bring together elite lyricists, producers, and musicians around meaningful themes.

His latest project, Hard To Learn, represents the culmination of years of personal growth and creative vision. The album explores resilience, faith, addiction, blue-collar life, loss, redemption, and acceptance through a cinematic narrative featuring collaborations with artists including Murs, Ill Bill, Sadat X, Blueprint, Reef the Lost Cauze, Akrobatik, XL The Beast, Napoleon Da Legend, Problemattik, Block McCloud, Lenny Lashley, The Dunnas, and many more. Produced primarily by The Arcitype, the album reflects Leedz’s passion for creating timeless records that value substance as much as craftsmanship.

Today, Leedz continues to build bridges within Hip Hop by producing ambitious collaborative projects, mentoring artists, and creating opportunities throughout New England and beyond. Whether organizing live events, producing records, or developing creative concepts, his mission remains the same:

Create authentic art, elevate independent voices, and leave the culture stronger than he found it.

“I told myself from the beginning that as long as I gave everything I had, I’d be OK with the outcome—win or lose.”

ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS:

• Nominated “Promoter of the Year” – Boston Music Awards (2020,2021,2022,2023)
• Nominated “Music Video Of The Year” “Massive”- Boston Music Awards (2022)
• Nominated “Album of the Year” Rite Hook “Modify”- Boston Music Awards (2019)
• Nominated “Live Music Venue of the Year” Sonia – Boston Music Awards (2019)
• Nominated “Promoter of the Year” – Boston Music Awards (2017)
• Nominated “Best Live Music Venue” – Middle East Nightclub – Boston Music Awards (2017)
• Vanyaland article “Eastern Standard” (2018)
• Metro article “Is This Guy The Most Powerful Force In Boston Hip Hop?” (2015)
• Sound Of Boston article “Meet Ned Wellbery” (2015)
• Boston Phoenix article “Hard To Earn” (2014)
• BDC Wire article “Leedz Edutainment Celebrates 10 Years As A Promoter”
• Boston Globe article “Promoter Looks To Grow Local Hip Hop Scene” (2013)
• Boston Herald article “Boston Busts A Move” (2007)
• Promoter of the Year (Winner) – Boston M.I.C. Awards (2006)
• Boston Globe article “Straight Outta Hyde Park” (2006)
• Boston Herald article “Dynamic Duo” 2006

Leedz Edutainment Promoted Events: