Inside sectiontoo's Next Era: The Queens Native Defying Genre Boundaries with a Masterpiece in the Works

In the ever-evolving landscape of New York's independent music scene, few artists are capturing the city's genre-fluid heartbeat quite like sectiontoo (born Sean Lawrence). A Queens native of Guyanese and Puerto Rican descent, sectiontoo doesn't just cross boundaries—he erases them. Describing his sonic architecture simply as “black music,” he weaves R&B, Hip-Hop, Soul, and Pop into a rich, undeniable tapestry that has already caught the ears of industry legends like Timbaland and Spike Lee.

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

From MacBook Beats to Millions of Streams

The journey began at age 15. Armed with nothing but a MacBook and a relentless drive, sectiontoo taught himself production, drawing early inspiration from titans like 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, and Nicki Minaj. After years of shaping the soundscape for others, he found his own voice during his final year at the City College of New York, sparking a creative partnership with longtime friend and producer identite crisis.

That foundation led to his 2019 debut project, Portrait, featuring breakout tracks like “Trophies” and “Girls Like Anita,” which quickly amassed over a million streams. Since then, the momentum hasn't stopped. His nostalgic, 90s R&B-infused single “Come See Me Tonight” went viral in 2022, and his 2024 release, Forever Yours, stands as a testament to his profound growth as a songwriter and producer.

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

The Next Evolution

Now, fully independent after a stint with New York's Viper Records, sectiontoo is gearing up for his most ambitious era yet. Balancing late-night studio sessions with a day job at a local restaurant, his work ethic is the engine behind his rising star. Recent singles like “Closer 2 U” and “MAIN INGREDIENT” have teased a new sonic direction, but his forthcoming project promises to blow the doors wide open.

Speaking exclusively about the highly-anticipated new album, sectiontoo revealed the deliberate pacing behind his new sound:

“As far as my new project goes, it’s been in the works for the last few years. The first songs were made while I was making Forever Yours. I knew it was a completely different direction so the songs would have to sit for a little bit. I’ve always had a wide array of influences, and I feel like this is me fully showcasing the breadth of what I can do musically.”

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

A Masterpiece Built on Collaboration

While sectiontoo's singular vision drives the project, he emphasizes the critical role of his creative circle, particularly his synergy with producer good.will.

“Me and my best friend/close collaborator good.will have built a rapport to where he knows me well enough to know how far I can go sonically. And that’s what we’ve done here. Although there may be some experimentation throughout this project, the same soul and intention that you heard on Portrait and songs like 'MAIN INGREDIENT' are still present. It’s just being showcased in a new way.”

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

This upcoming release also marks a milestone for sectiontoo in terms of features. Expanding his collaborative footprint, the project brings together a tight-knit community of rising talent.

“This is also the most collaborators I’ve ever had on one project. Jireh, K.C. Valliii and WTCHCRFT are all great friends of mine and it comes across in the music. I can’t wait for the world to hear this masterpiece.”

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

Taking Over the City

Beyond the streaming numbers—which include over 14,000 monthly listeners on Spotify—sectiontoo is a proven force on stage. He has conquered iconic NYC venues like SOBs, Piano’s, Heaven Can Wait, and The Bowery Electric. His cinematic vision has even crossed into television, securing a sync placement on Amazon and Hulu's Johnson.

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos

With a masterpiece in the vault and a sound that refuses to be boxed in, sectiontoo isn't just participating in the current R&B renaissance—he’s actively leading it. As he continues to push the boundaries of "black music," one thing is certain: the world is finally ready to hear what Sean Lawrence has been cooking up.

Photography by Rafael Vasconselos