Lou Anthony is a hip hop artist hailing from Philadelphia which is a breeding ground for many talented hip hop artists including, of course, Will Smith, Meek Mill, Eve and The Legendary Roots. Speaking of the Roots, Black Thought, a founder and the main lyricist of the group praised Lou’s single “All My Life”.
Lou is continuing his momentum with his latest single and video ” Classy” features Sacramento artist GDaPlug .
He shared his latest video with us and answered a few questions for our Music Spotlight series. Check out the video and get to know and support this up and coming artist.
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Describe your music for those who have never heard it.
My art reflects my life. Often times I make music to either convey a message or to let my thoughts and feelings be known. On a personal level, I’m never too vocal about the things that go through my mind — I’ve learned how to master the power in silence. For those that really know me, or wish to know me, my music allows them a way into this enchanted head of mine.
Tell us about this song.
“Classy” is a demonstration of how we have fun. Two young black men making feel-good music, party music, and having fun living life. Nobody’s dying in our lyrics, no violence, no gun talk — just all love and rhythm.
I was excited to work with my cousin GdaPlug, a rising talent from Sacramento. When I first wrote the song I knew it had a catchy west coast bop to it, so I thought to myself ‘who’s a dope artist on the westside that could help me bring this to life?’ So I hit G, sent him the song, and he hit me back within an hour with the hook. I flew out to Sactown from Philly in February, we filmed the video, and the rest is history.
What inspired you to pursue music?
I’ve always been around it. I grew up in a house where you couldn’t avoid soul music. I’m talking about the music that, even as a young kid, it speaks to your soul. It speaks to an understanding that you have beyond your years. I was three, four, and five years old singing The Isleys, Stevie Wonder, Al Green — stuff like that. It was those sounds that let me know I was going to make music. The transition to hip-hop just came with the culture. It came with the coming-of-age of a young person from the projects. Hip-Hop was everywhere, it had inspiration over us.
What has been your greatest career accomplishment so far?
My greatest accomplishment is waking up and loving this life. Brad Garrett, who played Robert Barone in “Everybody Loves Raymond” gave me some incredible advice.
He said to me, “The gift is that you found what you love.” No matter who says “no,” no matter what you have to overcome, if you’ve found what you love then you are an outlier. If you live what you love, you are the gift itself.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Myself, and that’s one of the reasons the album is called S.E.L.F: Something Everyone Looks For. My biggest fear is me. My biggest critic is me. Once I understood my control, I was able to let go of fear. I had to realize my own powers and master them. For example, I’m never going to be 6’2, and for my first 20 years the societal standards of the world made me feel bad about it. Now I embrace my 5’2 frame, why? Because it’s something I cannot change. Therefore it MUST be on purpose. And all the struggles that came with it made me who I am.
What is your music goal for the year?
My goal for the year is to expand my impact across the world. For so long the sounds of Lou Anthony have been confined to a closet studio in the back room on Ludlow Street. Now it’s time the world take notice of what we have going on.
Check out our other artist in Music Spotlight