Meet Alexander Luu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Luu.

Alexander, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As an angsty high school sophomore who found refuge in rap music and hip-hop, I often memorized raps and wrote songs. Countless failed talent show auditions revealed I had no rhythm and could not spit on the beat.

One of those days my English teacher felt accomplished fifty minutes early of an hour-long class, he put on some reruns of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam on TV, which featured various spoken word acts who performed with a hip-hop cadence, yet unaccompanied by beats.

This encouraged me to write various poems of my own; my first being a ‘break-up’ poem about a girl who ‘friendzoned’ me. I would go on to write many other poems I’d discover to be problematic yet revealing of my growth.

One such event was during my sophomore year in college when I auditioned to be a part of the Get Lit Players, a team of poets whose aim was to teach and incorporate spoken word through performances at high schools in the greater Los Angeles area.

One of the judges, who would later become my coach and closest friend, told me I reminded him of his close friend, G. Yamazawa, a Japanese-American poet and rapper. After discovering his array of deeply personal works revolving around family and his childhood as the son of immigrants.

I was inspired to start writing and reflecting on my own Asian-American story. I have since written and continue to write works that are true to me and my family’s history in every aspect, often performing them at slams or shows that have shown an interest in what I have to say.

Has it been a smooth road?
Though my career thus far has admittedly been moving farther and quicker along then my mentors before me, I still face many internal problems with a family that is hesitant towards my lifestyle as an artist and my own insecurities as there are very few successful Asian poets to gauge my footing in this craft. The responsibilities of being both a college student and a touring performer have also been very heavy plates to juggle, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I perform spoken word, teach writing workshops, host events, and ultimately bridge people together through my art. I’m most proud of my ability to be my most vulnerable self on stage while earning the trust of my audience to be able to tell my Asian American narrative.

I think what sets me apart is my personality and relatability; I’m usually a strange, goofy kinda person and luckily that’s been something that people connect to most whenever I bring them on an emotional journey.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Oh, Los Angeles? That really expensive, summer year-long, home of actors and celebrities and artistic movements, while pushing out the neighboring city natives? The beautiful, ever flawed and ever improving, Los Angeles. What more can I say about the entertainment capital of the world that hasn’t already been said?

As an artist, I’ve had the privilege of all the creative resources LA has to offer, such as major competitions and events that take place. However, coming from my perspective of a native, I wouldn’t recommend someone to start out their artistic career here, as it can be difficult to navigate your purpose and hone in your individual style when you’re in competition with so many others. I’d recommend only moving to LA when one has a set goal they want to accomplish here.

That being said, LA needs to work on making housing affordable and making amends to the low-income families it displaces through gentrification. Imagine how quickly innovation on all scientific and artistic fronts can rise when we can all afford to sleep well at night.

Pricing:

• $10 per “Yellow Boy” Chapbook

Contact Info:

• Website: alexluupoetry.com
• Phone: 16267161055
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @alexluupoetry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexluupoetry/
• Twitter: @alexluupoetry

Image Credit:
Ken Fong, Sakyboi, Jay Krier

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