Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Cruz
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into music wasn’t straightforward—it was full of doubts, setbacks, and a lot of self-discovery. It all began in church, where I was captivated by my sister MonaLisa’s powerful voice. I wondered if I could do the same, but when I sat down at the piano, my dad, a musician himself, told me to “just play.” He didn’t guide me, and later, he told my mom, “Yeah, he don’t got it.” That moment stuck with me, and for years, I watched my sister thrive in music while I struggled to find my own way.
But there was one person who always believed in me—my mom. She saw something in me that I hadn’t yet recognized. When I told her I wanted to learn how to produce music, she didn’t hesitate. She gave me the money to buy my first keyboard, and that act of belief was a turning point. Her support gave me the confidence to keep going. That summer, while living out of state, I started teaching myself music production. It was a slow process, and there were days I felt discouraged when my beats didn’t sound like the ones I heard in my head. Other producers pointed out my mistakes, and it often felt like I was starting from scratch. But through it all, I kept pushing forward. I learned that the grind itself was what mattered most—showing up, day after day, even when no one else believed in you.
Eventually, I moved back to Long Beach, and everything began to change. My sound went from “okay” to “how much for that beat?” I threw myself into the local scene, working with artists, producers, and musicians. I learned to sample, spent time at VIP Records, and began collaborating in new ways. I even started a band, GloryForThePeople, with my cousins, and MonaLisa as the lead singer.
I spent so many hours at VIP Records that, eventually, I became part of the community. I’d play my beats on their sound system, and the reaction was always the same: “YOU made those beats?” That was my first taste of recognition and validation. Over time, that connection led to relationships and opportunities that helped shape my career. One of the most surreal moments came when I got my own billboard above VIP Records, the same place I’d shopped as a teenager. That moment was huge for me—proof that all the struggles, the late nights, the self-doubt had led to something real.
As my career grew, I traveled the world, collaborated with amazing artists, and worked with people I once looked up to. But through it all, I realized the real value was in the lessons I learned—not just about music, but about perseverance, belief, and cultivating talent. Looking back, I understand now that my father’s words didn’t define me. What defined me was the unwavering belief my mom had in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. She gave me the tools to succeed, and most importantly, the belief that I could. And I carry that belief forward, not just in my own music but in helping others cultivate their gifts.
If we don’t water the seeds, they won’t grow. Music is part of the journey, but the real goal is to help others find their path, just as I found mine. My journey isn’t just mine—it’s for everyone I can influence, for every person I can help discover their potential.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had plenty struggles throughout my journey more so cause I’ve played so many roles. Wether being in the forefront or background balance has always been the biggest struggle for myself. I don’t mean balance as in equal amounts of everything, however the ability to balance yourself with the unequal amounts of everything. The Road is smooth only if you’re riding it. I’m constantly learning this.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I really enjoy working with creative people. I feel they have specific super powers that create things for others to embrace. I’m a music producer/project manager by trade. Both these separate things exemplify the same concept to me. As a project manager I work with separate groups of people (sub contractors, vendors, municipalities) to build an infrastructure in various cities. As a music producer I do the same but in a musical creative structure (musicians, engineers, industry). I find ways to mix both these trades creatively. I’ve learned to build my musical world with a vast musical community. That gives me the ability to Communicate with more people at once. The communication leads to relationships and that is what I value that’s what sets me apart from others. And allows me to create so many diverse and contrasting sounds in my music. It’s really a reflection of all my different relationships. My latest releases “04/19/24 Live at Fat Friday LBC (Live in Long Beach)” as an Artist and. “This has been an L’s production Vol.1” as a Producer give a true representation of all that I’ve built throughout my journey. One is a live EP recorded in Long Beach at our event Fat Friday that I co-produce with fellow Long Beach Musician J-Mo. The Producer project by L’s my producer name is 52 instrumentals that I produced blended by Dj PeopleMover sprinkled with drops from artist I’ve worked with. It gives a classic mixtape vibe. My future projects will be the same I have a Mixtape style release for Anthony Cruz and some more Collab albums by L’s.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Definitely what I have come to learn is that not all relationships are the same. Knowing how they each differ from each other can go a long way. We don’t always get everything we desire in a mentor from just one person, but we may get it from a small group of mentors so keep an open mind. Not all my networking revolves around music all the time, but those relationships are still valuable to my musical ventures. Is all synergy. Like a team sport.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://watertheseed.live
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornanthonycruz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloryforthepeople
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@watertheseedent.21
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bornanthonycruz
Image Credits
Della Arebalo, Melina C. , Dwayne Phillips, Aeior1
