Quest Alumni Journeys Series

For Wayne Lee, better known in the music scene as LEE-Rocka, Queenstown Secondary was more than just a place of learning. It was the stage where a spark first caught fire and grew into the creative force he is today.

The Spark of Talent Time

When asked about one secondary school memory that still makes him smile, Wayne’s answer comes without hesitation: Quest Talent Time. “That event was the spark that lit my passion for music, something I’m still doing today. I went all out one year, enrolling in four out of five performance categories I could: the band, dance, group singing, and group rapping. The following year, the rules changed to limit each person to just two categories. I guess I was the catalyst! Haha. But looking back, those moments planted the seed for everything I do now.”

That seed eventually grew into a professional music career, taking Wayne from school stages to recording studios, from solo tracks to large-scale collaborations. Recently, he was part of a massive project involving 22 Malay rappers on a single track, a feat recognised by the Singapore Book of Records for “Most Number of Malay Rappers in a Mixtape”. For Wayne, the roots of that achievement date back to Queenstown Secondary. “Queenstown was where I first discovered my love for music,” he says. “That spark eventually grew into a full-fledged career.”

I’m a Rapper! No Metal. No Drug.

Wayne’s journey has not been without challenges. In a moment of candid honesty, he shares how a difficult period became a turning point. “I only developed a deep hunger for knowledge during my time in incarceration for drug abuse,” he says. “Music was always my passion, but I didn’t take it seriously until I was released in 2017. If I had started earlier, I’d be much further along in my journey today.”

That hard-earned insight has become the basis of the advice he now gives as both an artist and a motivational speaker. Since 2018, Wayne has also served as a Peer Leader for the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), using his personal journey to guide and inspire others. Recognised by the association as an Anti-Drug Advocate, he works closely with youth and community groups to promote a drug-free lifestyle. “Invest in yourself early, mentally, emotionally, and skill-wise,” Wayne says firmly. 

“Knowledge fuels action: The more you know, the more you can do. It’s not just a saying, it’s a blueprint.”

In recent years, Wayne has taken his message further through writing. His debut book, Positive LEEving: The Art of Living Positively Through Reason, Faith & Understanding, reflects his philosophy, combining rational thinking, spiritual grounding, and empathy to help others navigate life’s challenges. It is, in many ways, the written version of the motivational messages he shares in person.

A Voice of Inspiration and Change

Today, Wayne is more than just a rapper. He is an entrepreneur, youth advocate, actor, coach, speaker and author, with a creative and motivational portfolio that reflects both his versatility and resilience. His music seamlessly blends lyrical storytelling with authentic life experiences, while his speaking engagements and writing offer valuable tools for personal growth.

While Wayne admits he has only stayed close to two Queenstown schoolmates, Kartini, a personal trainer training for the boxing ring, and Ezhaq, a professional media creative, their shared passion continues to bind them. “Kartini and I won first place in the Talent Time dance category back in the day,” he recalls proudly. “Being part of a community that celebrates individuality and hustle. That’s something I’ll always value.”

For Wayne, the Queenstown spirit is more than just a nostalgic feeling. It is about a mindset: daring to step forward, embracing what makes you different, and constantly striving to improve. His career, his community work, and now his voice as a speaker and author are a testament to that belief. From the moment he picked up a microphone in school, to industry recognition, to his work with SANA, and now to the pages of Positive LEEving, Wayne has shown that passion, paired with perseverance, can chart a new path even after setbacks.

And while his work continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the fire that started on the school stage all those years ago still burns brightly. “Everything I do now traces back to what started in school,” he says.

“Queenstown gave me my first shot at expressing myself, and I’m still building on that foundation.”