Artists Name: Aleeuz
Music Genre: Rap
Other Genres: Hip-Hop
Websites or Social Media Pages
https://www.reverbnation.com/aleeuz
https://www.soundcloud.com/aleeuz
https://aleeuz.hearnow.com
https://www.imdb.me/lestergreynolds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjtotbuLZcc&list=OLAK5uy_l4Ickc3qcqMGAj0cvPhHgxMBHXbZhEbCE
https://twitter.com/lestergreynold1
Find My Film/TV Work at: http://imdb.me/lestergreynolds
I am Lester G. Reynolds aka “Aleeuz”- Pronounced “Alias”, I am a Rap Artist, Writer, Accomplished Actor, Father, Husband, Military Veteran and Creative Entrepreneur. I want to thank you for stopping by and taking the time to listen to my songs and get to know me.
Music is in my blood and is truly the very air that I breathe. At a very young age I realized that due to the iconic legends that make up my families gene pool, there would be no escaping the deeply hidden desire to follow in their footsteps, for I am very closely related to June Carter Cash, Wife of the Legendary, Johnny Cash. Our Family Heritage and Values instilled in me as a young boy guide me to this very day, as I always strive to encourage everyone I meet to always believe in themselves and to see the best in others, for at the end of the day, we are all in this together and are so much better than that which seeks to divide us.
Everyday, I look back on my journey and as I embrace all that I have become and continue to evolve towards, I realize that I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to be exposed to so many genres of musical history and the great legends that make up our influential, past, present, and, future and to have so many amazing fans, like you who spread the word about my works.
It is my sincere hope that everyone who listens to my music takes away as much from my compositions as I have been able to take from those that I aspire to emulate.
In addition to my Music, I have also had the privilege of working in Hollywood in the Creative Realm of TV and Film as an Accomplished Actor, Writer, and Producer. I am a Member of SAG/ AFTRA and absolutely love all things creative. I am a First Generation College Graduate and hold two Degrees having Graduated with Honors. It is truly an honor and privilege to have each of you as my fans and followers, for without each of you, I would not exist and I thank you from the depths of my soul for your support and interest in my work.
” Always Believe In Yourself, Never Stop Dreaming, Press Forward With Diligence “
Lester G. Reynolds aka “Aleeuz”
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
The musical Genre that best Describes My Music would be Rap and Hip Hop. I describe my sound as very unique and distinct because during my life I have been exposed to so many types of of music from many cultures and from many definitive musical eras. All of these influences come together to form what you hear in my creations. I am closely related to June Carter Cash, Wife of the Legendary Johnny Cash so quite naturally, I am a country boy at heart. Early in my childhood, I grew up on a farm and eventually my family moved to the city, where we lived in a very poor neighborhood and the streets quickly became my teacher and the urban influence of Rap and Hip-Hop as well as R&B and Pop became new elements of discovery along my creative journey and endeavors.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
I came up with the name “Aleeuz” pronounced “Alias” because nearly every artist uses an assumed name or an “Alias” so instead of aka I decided to call myself “Aleeuz”. I was already using my given name as my Professional Acting Name so instead of adding aka, I just thought it would be creative and kinda unique to call myself “Aleeuz”, and as a result, It became my calling card.
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
I have had so many influences in my creative journey that all come together collectively to give me my unique style and signature sound. The most influential are: Run DMC, The Beastie Boys, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Heavy-D, Ice-T, Dr. Dre, NWA, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Eric B and Rakim, EPMD, K-9 Posse, Ice-Cube, 2-Pac, Eminem, Joe Ski Love, Michael Jackson, Prince, Doug E. Fresh, 2-Live Crew, DJ Magic Mike, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, Public Enemy, Mary J. Blige, The Notorious BIG, NAS, DMX, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ry Cooder, Jon Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Travis Tritt, George Strait, Lil Nas X, The Gap Band, Roger Troutman and Zapp, George Clinton, Bootsie Collins, James Brown, Percy Sledge, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers, Diana Ross, Jamie Foxx,Lizzo,Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and so many amazing artist that pour their souls into their craft.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
I am always working on something. I love to write and to create. I have a wealth of songs and I have multiple script projects as well. I have a few Feature Films I have written I want to produce and provide the soundtracks to as well. I have episodic TV and Projects that could stream online via Netflix or Amazon. I am drawn to everything creative from writing, to creating, to recording and making music. I like to explore the possibilities and just let my mind take me on a journey of discovery. I find that in the end, it is the best way to connect to my fans.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
My ultimate goal in the music industry and the creative realm as a whole is to use my platform to inspire others. In this life we are made to believe that once we reach a certain age that we are then too old to do anything. I want to break down that stereo type and prove that you can do anything you put your mind to if you only believe. I just want to make great music with great artist. I would love to work with some of the biggest and brightest for sure. I would love to work with Sir Mix-A-Lot, it would be a dream come true for me, because it is through his music that I first learned to flow and over time, I perfected my own style. I would like to work with Snoop, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Pharrell, Will.I.Am, Childish Gambino, Lizzo, Cardi B, Jason Durrillo, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Diddy,Lil Nas X, Bill Ray Cyrus, Jamie Foxx, Sam Smith, Post Malone, Justin Timberlake, Billie Eilish, It would be a dream Come true for me to collaborate with any of these people I have named and I know the end result would be beyond incredible. My plan of action is to just stay true to my self and my fans and let my music and ethics speak for themselves. I know that everything happens with faith and time and eventually, opportunities will align for me and allow me to give my loyal fans the absolute best I can give.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
My favorite track to date is “Everythang”, because I wrote this song in the heart of very painful journey and time in my life when I was really struggling just to survive and provide for my wife and our two sons. If you listen to the lyrics you can hear my pain and you can relate to the challenges that many of us face today, especially because of Covid. I have always been told that money ain’t everything, but when it comes to paying bills and buying necessities, it is the only thing. I wrote the lyrics, Money ain’t everything, baby, now, I beg to differ, because it was my way of countering the people in my life who was basically trying to tell me to stop worrying about money and focus on the things you can control. In my mind, I couldn’t change my situation without money, so I had to deal with it. The song further talks about life and how we often forget what truly matters the most which are the people we love and in the end, if we take the time to appreciate the blessings we have in front of us, instead of focusing on financial wealth, we truly do begin to see that we are the richest people on the planet, because we have something that money can’t buy, “Love”.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
The biggest challenge in my career so far has been trying to be heard and to reach a level of success that truly gives my music a voice. We are surrounded by so much racial inequality and divide and disconnect from one another as a human race. We have made life about being the person who could stack up the most money and tangible assets that we have truly forgotten how to genuinely care for one anther as a human race. I want my music, my creations, to inspire, to give hope, to unite, and to remind everyone who hears my creations, everyone who sees my films, or reads my written works, that we are so much better than that which seeks to divide us. At the end of our journey, we all become equal. No one takes anything with them into the next life and we must realize that the greatest contribution that we can give our children, our grandchildren, our fans, and anyone we meet during the journey of life, are the lessons and examples we leave behind. That is our legacy. Not Money, Cars, Houses, or Businesses and this is my Challenge, for without the platform, without the ability to be heard or seen, I am limited by the influences and Lessons That I can pass along to others.
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
My songwriting process is a bit out of the ordinary because I do not follow a set of rules that dictate how I create. I literally let the music tell me what it is trying to say and I write it down like a secretary in an office taking dictation from a CEO. It starts with a beat, or a melody, or even a note, and then, I start to hear all of these elements coming together and before I even realize it, the music has taken on a life of its own and when that microphone goes hot, magic happens.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
Social media is a new animal for me and it has brought challenges as well as a whole new tool kit that allows me to reach millions of people all over the world from my home. I find that quite often social media can be your best friend and at times, your worst enemy. It is also alot like High School, If you are not popular on social media, no one cares, but, if you are popular, then, its like being the cool kid in High School and everyone wants to know you or be on your twitter feed.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
I am the only Artist on My Tracks. I do have songs that I have purchased Vocals from Other Artist, but they are not people I work with or have met. It has been my experience from days gone by that everytime I formed a group, people were not serious about their craft and I would book shows, only to find myself all alone standing in front of an audience without a band, without back up singers, and I would perform acapella just to move forward with my show as I had promised. I got tired of it and I decided that I was the only person in my creative life that I could depend on and now, it is just me.
Other tracks on my playlist, include “Money” and “Rydin Low”. Money is about success and climbing the ladder to achievement and the struggles along the way. Rydin Low is about living carefree, enjoying success and never forgetting what it took to achieve it.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I started writing at the age of 8, My family has always been about music and I have been exposed every since I can remember. I have worked in fast food, retail service markets, corporate america, manufacturing jobs, landscaping, construction, high end auto detailing, acting, tele-marketing, and nearly everything you can think of to make money and support myself and my family. I eventually joined the Army at age 17, served 11 years Honorably as a Combat Soldier, and later in life, Graduated College with two Degrees.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
The advice I would give anyone is to not let anybody tell you that your dreams are foolish or cannot be attained. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. Quite often the people telling you to be realistic and get a real job because dreams don’t pay the bills are the same people who gave up on their dreams along time ago and they have no ambition. Life isn’t easy, being an artist or creative spirit isn’t easy, but it was never meant to be. Everyone is not born to be an entertainer, but when you are, you know it, because it literally consumes you like a fire and it will not let you do or think about anything else. It is the only time you are truly happy and that is when you are creating and connecting with your fans. If you would do it for FREE anytime, anywhere, everyday, then and only then do you know that being an artist is your calling. The same goes with anything in this life, if you are a painter, if you are a cook, a doctor, if it is your passion and it drives and motivates you, then that is your gift, it is who you are, embrace who you are and no matter what that is for you personally and you will succeed.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
Music has become very commercialized and all about money. I have met so many talented artist that will never get the chance to compete in the mainstream market and any one of them could make millions. It seems as though the gatekeepers get to decide who is good enough and leave the rest of us to flail in the wind and if we are not careful, we begin to believe that we are not good enough and that is not true. I would level the playing field and give artist an opportunity to thrive. I understand that its business, but its like the wealth poverty equation we see play out in everyday society. Millions of people go hungry everyday, and they shouldn’t have to. This method requires us to become more creative and find ways to pioneer new avenues to a charted pathway of success.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
I feel that originality is just another way of telling people to be themselves. Don’t try to be someone else, just be you and learn to embrace the best version of yourself that you can become. Everyone is not going to like you, I learned this the hard way, but once you realize this fact of life and stop worrying about popularity and who likes you and who doesn’t, then and only then, can you remain focused on your goals and chart a path to achieve them.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
I just want everyone that reads about me, or listens to my music, or watches me on tv or film to know and understand that I am just like you, we are all human at the end of the day. None of us are perfect, to include myself, but what matters is that we learn from every lesson, we get up when we fall, we listen to constructive criticism, and we make the necessary corrections. We determine to never give up, to never stop learning, to never stop growing, and we commit to being flexible, because life doesn’t care about your plans and often throws you curve balls, but, as long as we stay the course, we stay true to ourselves, and remember the journey, then what will remain, is the best version of us that we can be. We only get one life to live, one voice to speak the truth, and one chance to change the world in which we live. Give it all you got and enjoy the journey. I want to thank each of you for your support, your love and for affording me the opportunity to share my creative visions with the world. I Love You All, For I wouldn’t be Aleeuz Without My Fans, My Family, and Almighty God in Heaven giving me the talents to do what I do.