Today we’d like to introduce you to Alec Lastrap.
Alec Lastrap p.k.a. “ALZO” is the next star breaking onto the music scene. Born in Houston and raised in Missouri City, Texas, he attended Bush and graduated from Marshall High School before heading off to attend college at Wharton. Growing up ALZO was always into basketball, but music and modeling soon turned from sideline pastimes to his full-time passions. His musical tastes are eclectic ranging from iconic artists such as Michael Jackson to modern influencers like Travis Scott, Migos, Chief Keef, and Drake who have provided the soundtracks to his life. His own music comes from the heart and expresses that same diversity of emotion that stems from daily life issues that everyone can relate to. His inaugural single, “GEEKED,” (release date: June 8, 2018) is an up-tempo Hip Hop track produced by X Byrd.
The banging beat inspired him to write lyrics that express his feelings to the world about what he goes through as a musician, a model and a man. As he rises in the music industry, ALZO is guided by key lessons he learned as a youth to be true to yourself and to respect others treating them the way you want to be treated. ALZO has been featured in Empower Magazine and on media platforms across the city of Houston. While he is fast emerging in his hometown, ALZO has national appearances pending during New York Fashion Week and BET Awards events and will be traveling nationwide to promote his new single through club appearances, media stops, and opening for music industry leaders as he works on his new EP. ALZO’S mission is to use his platform to inspire youth across the globe. Everything he does through his music, modeling and volunteering in his community serves his larger goal to better himself and the people around him. To stay abreast of upcoming music and news, follow @AlzoLastrap across social media platforms. For booking information contact manager Tyrond Gunn, (713)-922-9020, Tdggmgmt@gmail.com.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Alec Lastrap p.k.a. “ALZO” is the next rising star breaking onto the music scene. Born in Houston and raised in Missouri City, Texas, he attended Bush and graduated from Marshall High School before heading off to attend college at Wharton. Growing up ALZO was always into basketball, but music and modeling soon turned from sideline pastimes to his full-time passions.
He linked with industry talents such as producer X Byrd who produced his new single, “Geeked.” The up-tempo beat inspired him to write transparent lyrics that express his feelings about what he goes through on a daily basis. “You can be ‘geeked’ about a lot of different things in life, and I want to inspire others to dive into their emotions and live fully,” he said.
The edgy, raw song tells the story of a young man dealing with the ups and downs of navigating women, success, and life. He is “geeked” about the prospects and details fantasies of traveling overseas and flying to new heights while trying to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. The addictive high of attraction and infatuation is a theme song that everyone can relate to lyrically while the beat and smooth vocal delivery make it a club banger.
Empower Magazine chatted with the emerging artist to find out more about his life, loves and intended legacy:
Tell us a little about your upbringing?
ALZO: I grew up in a single parent household. My mom had to be the pops and the moms. It was hard sometimes, but she always kept a roof over our head. Despite the struggles, I always had my family around me so I believe in love and family and support. When you’re down, your family is all you have to go to. Everything is a struggle, but there are people who have it way worse than you.
How did you develop a love for modeling, and when did you know you wanted to do it professionally?
ALZO: Modeling evolved organically from my personal style. Fashion was always my mojo, my thing. I’ve always liked to dress and stand out with my clothes, and with that comes taking pictures and showing off how fresh you can look. Your appearance is someone’s first opinion about you, so I always wanted to look nice in person and have that reflected in quality photos through my clothes and my poses. People kept telling me that I should model and it eventually emerged into an actual career. I’ve always been behind the camera, but I was never shy as a kid; growing up, I was the center of attention, but not on purpose though. So, transitioning to being in front of the camera was not forced, it was natural for me.
How did the music side emerge?
ALZO: Growing up there are things you are really passionate about, and those things can help with whatever you’re going through and your perspective on life. If you just got into it with your moms, for example, things like music or basketball or whatever can help you. There was always a music artist that I’d go put my headphones on in my room and play. I never thought I’d be an artist or rap or anything, but I always liked poetry, I always had a passion for music, and I always liked to write and give details about what I was doing or feeling. Then a couple of years ago I started to take music seriously. Everything developed from there and transformed into something bigger.
Who are some of your favorite industry influencers?
ALZO: I don’t have a specific person or a group that influences me because I get inspired by a lot of things. One person I look up to is Michael Jackson – he is just dope, period. He inspired me through his work ethic; as a kid he was trained, but his work ethic is similar to mine. I’m always putting that work in; I don’t ask anyone for anything. I try to get it on my own or not at all. He branded himself, and in my career, I have to brand myself. His work ethic, perseverance and career are inspiring. His sense of fashion was influential as well. He’s the king of pop, and I want to earn a label of respect as high as that. But most importantly, I vibe with how he was as a person – you don’t hear too much negativity about how he treated people; he was a positive force who focused on his art. That’s what I’m going to bring to the industry and to the world in general.
What makes you different from other brands out here?
ALZO: My work ethic and the individualism I have as a person makes me different. The way I can present myself behind the camera and behind the notepad is unique. I don’t look like anyone, and I won’t market or brand myself like anyone. Since I’m versatile I can bring more to the table. The level of gratitude and vision I bring and my passion in everything I do makes me stand out as well; I won’t do any fake stuff ever.
Who is your dream designer to model for and why?
ALZO: Karl Lagerfeld. The dope stuff he brings enhanced Chanel to modern greatness; he made Chanel a live brand. I also like that he brings on black models. What he did with Tyra Banks and other models, he does a lot, and I really appreciate that.
What song or artists do you play when you’re going through different moods and why?
ALZO: If I’m just chilling or not in a good mood, I would probably put on some Michael Jackson, Travis Scott or some Drake. I just like soft, slow music period. If I’m trying to get hype then Travis, Migos, Young Dolph, or Chief Keef.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
ALZO: I just want to be successful. I want to be somewhere that I never dreamed about, I want to be somewhere that I’ve never seen ever in my life, and I want all my family with me. I just want to be at a place where I don’t have to worry about anything.
Is there a motto/quote/lyric that moves or inspires you?
ALZO: My personal motto is ‘Just Do It’ from Nike. To me, even though you see it everywhere, it’s one of the greatest slogans of all time because it’s one of the hardest things anyone can do. It’s so easy for someone to say it but hard to actually put into practice. When you want something done you just have to get up and do it. No excuses.
What’s next on the horizon for your career?
ALZO: In addition to my single release, I have a full EP dropping soon. I hope to see success as far as using my creativity and talents to level up the right way. When ALZO is not gracing the stage or ripping the runway, he’s in the studio working on his new EP, which is being produced by G Luck whose prolific career has included hot tracks for artists such as LeToya Luckett and more. He also volunteers in his local community to serve his larger goal of using his platform to help better himself and the people around him.
To stay abreast of information to stream and download “Geeked,” follow @AlzoLastrap across social media platforms. For booking information contact manager Tyrond Gunn, Tdggmgmt@gmail.com.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
To stay abreast of information to stream and download “Geeked,” follow @AlzoLastrap across social media platforms. For booking information contact manager Tyrond Gunn, Tdggmgmt@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://alzolastrap.com/
- Phone: 7139229020
- Email: Tdggmgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alzolastrap
- Facebook: Alzolastrap
- Twitter: Alzolastrap
- Other: https://youtu.be/PoakQ6yF_xk
Image Credit:
Riot Muse
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