With a sound that is as cool as his name and style – Luca Brassy is ready to take over the game. A former professional wrestler who has reinvented himself to take over Hip-Hop we are pleased he took the time to conduct this interview with us. Check out his amazing story and music bellow. Much more in store with Luca Brassy! POW.
ARTIST BIO:
For the past almost 16 years, Luca Brassy, born and raised in Upstate NY, has been building a reputation as one of the hottest entertainers/performers to come out of the area. His journey really started in entertainment through professional wrestling at age 13. By the time he turned 16, Luca was running his own professional wrestling training center (24/7 Wrestling Productions LLC) in Upstate NY. Due to circumstances out of his own control, 24/7 closed its doors in the summer of 2003. From there, Brassy had a hard time finding himself again until he discovered his love for writing and music in late 2003. In October 2004, he met Jgreen Moneytalkz who has been producing most of his music ever since.
Luca Brassy has performed at numerous cities and states including Schenectady, Albany, Glens Falls, Syracuse, Amsterdam, Rochester, Pittsfield, Pittsburgh, Massachusetts, Buffalo, Newport Rhode Island, Brooklyn, Bronx NY, Manhattan, Staten Island, Ardmore PA, Uniontown Alabama, Birmingham, Atlanta GA, Marshall NC, and Memphis TN among others and has been building a name for himself everywhere he goes. Initially, he focused his lyrics on political, world and social issues. Over the last few years, he has developed a more pop, club and Hip Hop sound which in turn has brought him much more recognition and a completely different kind of fan-base.
Among other great accolades, he has opened for several well known emcees such as Rakim and Lil Kim. Brassy has also recorded in such places as Albany NY, Los Angeles CA and Atlanta GA with great producers such as Jgreen Moneytalkz, Caviar and Younglord respectively. From 2016-2018, Luca was also signed with CNY Mode modeling agency in Syracuse and has also done work in the film community in his hometown.
Brassy’s first mixtape was released in 2007 titled “The Project: Stereotyped”, and his first full length album “The Narration: The Heart of a Champion” in 2010. A remake of that album was released Through Tate Music Group in 2014 titled simply “The Heart of a Champion.” Luca was formerly signed to Sony RED where he released 2 singles “Like That” and “3000” (produced by Younglord). This Spring was also the first release of his new mixtape series called “The American Dream Vol. 1: Letter on the Table”. He is now prepping for the release of his newest album titled “Retroactive…THE EP” on July 24th 2019!
Luca Brassy continues to be active around his own community as well as others. He continues to stay focused and make new contacts in radio, magazine, film, blogs, etc. He stays on the grind and is always active in his music and all business endeavors. Stay tuned for the latest on Luca Brassy! POW!!!
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
The name is “The American Dream” Luca Brassy and I was born and raised in a city called Schenectady in upstate New York. It’s not a bad town; not much to do at times and not a crazy big music scene, but it’s home. I started the moniker “The American Dream” because of the way I was brought up and how I keep living my life today… always dreaming, and always dreaming big. I had a very loving and powerful mother at home who always supported what I did and a father who I thought could walk on water and would go through fire if I needed him to. I always had a passion for professional wrestling and at 13 I actually got the opportunity to get in the ring. I never looked back and my life became about professional wrestling. That night when I told my dad over dinner that I wanted to be a wrestler, I remember it vividly; he looked at me and said “if you keep on top of things at school, I’ll find a way to keep getting you in the ring so you can learn”. Long story short, by 14 I was already leading matches and teaching to people my age at the facility. Like the music industry, a lot of beef comes with the territory of being good at something and I ended up opening my own school with my father and a couple other partners. We did great for a couple years getting recognition through Associated Press, Times Union, Daily Gazette, News Channel 9, News Channel 6, and we even had the Lieutenant Governor stop in for the old Do Not Call campaign. We were on our way to Good Morning America, but we ended up getting involved with some toxic people who cost us a lot. A little fast forward to age 18 and I was prematurely out of the wrestling business and completely lost. That was when I discovered music and it saved my life. The rest is history.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
I realized music was going to be a permanent part of my life shortly after I got out of wrestling. A friend of mine named Andy (RIP) used to like to go joyriding sometimes and one time we just went over to a local department store for something he needed. I remember just going into the music section and grabbing 3 albums (Nas, Eminem, and Pac). I had no idea why, but I just had it in my head to get these 3 particular albums when I was in that isle. I just sat and listened and what I heard was everything I was feeling and that was it. I remember sitting in class in high school and just writing rhymes about what I went through the previous few years and how it really affected my life. Mentally I was in a really dark place, but the writing always helped so I took it a step further and started recording them spoken word on my karaoke machine. I started realizing I had a new passion and purpose in the form of pen, pad and mic. When I decided to actually pursue it, I went back and educated myself on the industry to learn as much as I could about the pioneers, the history and what hip hop was really about…and I remain self taught on everything. Then I remember I went to my cousin and got some industry beats to use and soon after met my producer Jgreen Moneytalkz here in upstate. He’s been producing most of my records ever since.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
My favorite artist hands down is Johnny Clegg (& Savuka). Might come as a surprise because it’s not hip hop, but actually American influenced South African music. I was introduced to his music at 4 years old by my father then waited 25 years to see him perform live. Other favorites and artists that have influenced the Luca Brassy way (Brassism) are all over the spectrum. Everything from Michael Jackson to Meatloaf, Eminem, Matisyahu, Rakim, Nas, Pac, BIG, Big Pun, ACDC, Metallica, Huey Lewis and The News, ZZ Top, Queen, Elton John and Bruno Mars to name a long few. If I could work with one artist I would have to go with Clegg simply because he’s my number 1. Part of the reason I wouldn’t choose a hip hop artist is because while competition is good, at that level I feel like I’d be writing and recording to impress the other artist and try to out-perform them. I would want the music to be the focus and making it the best we could… not if I did better or “good enough” than the other guy.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
As for the current state of hip hop and mainstream as a whole, I think we need something fresh, new and exciting. I feel the key is being willing to stand out, be different, be a character, and just be larger than life when the opportunity presents itself to do so. Having your own sound and style in the industry is so important and so many people just follow the trend. Make them follow you, you don’t have to follow them. I’d like to see less copycatting and mumbling and more fun and meaningful lyrics because at the end of the day, that’s what the industry was really built on to begin with.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
A couple months back I released “The American Dream vol. 1: Letter on the Table”. It was the first in the new mixtape series I just started called “The American Dream” which will feature artists from all over the globe. This first one was the United States and South/West Africa. On August 16th 2019 , I release my newest EP called “Retroactive…THE EP” which will be available on all the major online platforms. I’m especially pumped for this because it features so many records that show diversity and how my style has changed and matured. I’m having a lot of fun making the kind of music that I do now…not so depressing anymore! You can hear that I’m having fun with the music now.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
I never stop working so after the new EP comes out, I really want to push it as hard as I possibly can. There’s a lot of great records on this release and it’s music that anyone can really vibe to. I’d like to get another tour organized and get to work on another EP while also getting ready for the next volume of “The American Dream”. A little vacation somewhere in there wouldn’t be bad…I love to travel for both business and pleasure.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
Over the next few years I really want to be touring all over the country and internationally while continuing to release new music. I’m not greedy, all I want is a 3-5 year run before settling back into a role where I could give back. If things really move and I get 10 years out of it, I won’t be mad, but all I really have is a strong desire to be the best I can be at what I do. Later on, I would love to scout new talent, mentor new artists and help get new faces on the scene.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
It really depends on who I’m having listen to the record, but if I could only pick one in general it would have to be “Lose Your Mind”. It’s one of my favorite records off this new EP because it really shows the Luca Brassy persona and what he’s all about. It’s a club, dance and record that has steps the listeners can actually follow…like a modern Cupid Shuffle I guess you can say. It was also the first record I recorded somewhere besides New York (Los Angeles) as well as the first one I recorded under the name Luca Brassy. The ballad at the end is what I think really makes it.
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
I’m The American Dream…who doesn’t like and want that? I feel like Luca Brassy really is a piece of everyone. I represent success, fun and the best things in life through hard work, faith and the willingness to go bell to bell in any situation. My music represents who and what I am which is…The American Dream.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
It’s actually been said to me….”He doesn’t sound like anyone”.
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
Voice is the number one thing. People have told me that I really don’t sound like anyone else and to never lose that. I can do a lot of different styles of writing and arranging. I’ve been able to adapt to a lot of people I have collaborated with which, in my experience, can be challenging. A lot of people only know how to do one thing…their own thing. I try to bring a new dynamic to every record I do and be diverse as much as possible while never losing who Luca Brassy is.
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right. The power of positive thinking is so incredible and should be taken seriously. Once the opportunities start presenting themselves, embrace them and be thankful. Always remember, however, like my vocal coach Maria once told me; success happens when preparation meets opportunity. In other words, if you’re not prepared when the opportunities arise, they won’t mean anything and you might not even see them. Be ready, forget the naysayers, work your ass off and most importantly…BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. If you don’t no one else will.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
you can find me at the following: www.lucabrassy.com, www.facebook.com/lucabrassyfans, www.facebook.com/brassysworld, www.facebook.com/americandreammixtapes, www.twitter.com/lucabrassy, www.soundcloud.com/lucabrassy, www.instagram.com/brassyluca. “Retroactive…THE EP” will be available on all major platforms July 24th!
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
I just wanna send love to my McSprinkle family/fans/friends. A few I’d like to throw out there personally though are Jess, Sarah, Jeremy, Jimmy, Alicia, Tony, my man Don Figga, MJ, Val, Tephlon James and Gloria…they all know who they are and if anyone feels funny I didn’t throw your name in…only so much room here so my bad! Can’t forget the Now Hip Hop team who were great enough to feature Luca Brassy and always need to shout out the man upstairs. Without his blessing, I would not be here. And yo… tune into my podcast! Call 516-666-9834 every Sunday night at 8pm EST. This is Luca Brassy’s final thought… POW!!!