Today we’d like to introduce you to La Meek
Hi LA, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from a small town called Toms River, NJ. I grew up there most of my early life, but then moved to Charlotte, NC to finish out my Junior and Senior years at Mallard Creek High School, playing football. After winning 2 state championships, I decided to continue my education and football career at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Before graduating in 2019, I realized that i had dedicated almost every waking moment of my life to football and never really considered what else I might be good at. Through this revelation, I discovered my musical talent and decided to pursue Music as a career.
In the short time between graduating college and the start of COVID-19, I had pretty much taken over Charlotte’s music scene. I was performing at least 3 nights per week, winning competitions, and ended up having my song “Blue Jeans White Tee” voted #1 in the region. I even got my first sync placement on a show called “Washed”, based in Dallas. This attention was enough to push me to pursue this “dream” I had a little further.
That’s when I took my first trip to LA with a few friends of mine. Well, we stayed in Azusa and would jus drive to LA from there. It was pretty dumb to stay so far away now that I think about it, but that’s what we did. Anyway, during that time, I think that’s when it really sunk into me that LA is where I needed to be. While others might’ve seen regular people, bums, street performers and prostitutes, what I saw were dreamers, hustlers and hard workers. People like me.
So one day, back in Charlotte, I decided to pack my things and move away from everything I knew. Growing up, my dad always taught me that I could do anything I set my mind to, and that’s something I believe wholeheartedly. I had a $1,000, a 2011 Toyota Camry, and a dream. I think it took me something like 2 1/2 days to make it to LA, but I enjoyed every second of it. Driving cross-country like that reminded me of one of those feel good Disney movies from back in the day.
When I first arrived, I was looking for any job I could to bring in some money, so I ended up taking a gig as an AT&T product salesman during the day and a Hollywood club promoter at night. Thinking back, I think the promoter gig is what kind of kicked things off for me because I had no choice but to be on the scene every night, meeting different people and building my network.
It doesn’t take long to see that living in LA ain’t for the weak. Compared to Charlotte, LA was on legendary difficulty.
Long story short, I had no choice but to learn and master the skills that I couldn’t afford to pay other people for. Skills like sound engineering, production, acting, and writing video treatments to name a few. Although I developed these skills through the pursuit of my own artistry, they are the very skills I use today to bring the visions of other creatives to life. And that’s where my boy, Andrew Stavis, comes in.
I first met Drew in late 2023 at a recording session I was invited to that he happened to be hosting. After a few sessions to close the year, Drew invited me to a New Year’s party he was having, so I’d say our relationship was beginning to bud at that time. However, after the party, I hadn’t talked to him for a few months and the relationship kind of stood still for a while. Until one day, I want to say in like April or something, he was just randomly on my mind and I reached out to him. We linked at the studio and shared jokes and talked about life and its challenges and stuff like that. Eventually, it began to become clear that we could fit into each other’s lives and benefit mutually. Not that that’s the root of our relationship or anything, but basically it made sense to tap in with each other. I had my experience with recording, songwriting, and production, and he had his business expertise and the means to execute. In the time it took to build the studio to its final form, Drew and I bonded and really locked in. We have this joke where we say we’re like Batman and Fox. Not many people give him credit, but Fox is the one behind all the cool stuff you see Batman use. The Batmobile, the gadgets, the batcave, all that. So I always make sure Drew gets his credit because without him, none of this would be taking place the way it is.
In my time here in LA, I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to make a living doing what I love. I’ve held lead acting roles, recorded and written songs for artists like GloRilla, Summer Walker, and Lil PJ to name a few, and I’m now scoring films! If I had to leave a message for the audience out there, it would be this: You can do anything you set your mind to. Just believe in yourself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. One of the main struggles I faced is the lack of funds. Again, it’s very expensive to live comfortably in LA, let alone chase a dream. But money is money. It comes and goes.
Another struggle I faced was more of a struggle with myself. I moved away from all my family, my friends, my girl, everything. Being here alone, it was hard for me to keep faith in what I was doing. Constantly wondering if I made the right decision. My dad and younger brother were going through a lot before I left and I felt guilty for leaving them behind. I got really depressed for a while trying to figure this out, but I made it through.
One challenge I feel that most people experience but nobody talks about, is managing a relationship while pursuing a career in music and entertainment. This life involves a lot of late nights, drugs, and sex, and it will eat you alive if you let it. But that’s also why I’m so grateful for my lady. She keeps me grounded amongst the chaos, you know?
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
LA-Meek is a man of many hats. I am an artist, an engineer, a producer, and a songwriter amongst other things. I take great pride in my ability to write songs for others and build beautiful melodies that take you on a journey through a song. I do a great job of making artists feel comfortable being their real selves while working with me; pouring more of themselves into whatever it is we’re doing.
I’m most proud of the fact that I took the risk and bet on myself, and actually made it through! I set an example for anyone who hears my story, that they really can be whoever they want to be in life.
Lastly, I feel that what sets me apart from anyone else is the authenticity in my creation. I’m not afraid to step out of the box and do the “weird” thing or do what you’re “not supposed to do”. I often find new sounds and melodies this way, or even new techniques as an engineer or producer. In music, I’m always on the frontier, and people appreciate this.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Faith. Plain and simple. Faith in God, faith in myself, faith in the people God placed around me. Just faith. It’s beautiful really. Like, when faced with that big bump in the road, you just keep going. And it’s easy! Because something in you just knows everything will be ok. One day at least.
Pricing:
- Recording – $100/hr
- Mix & Master – $250
- Songwriter – $75/hr
- Features – contact personally
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lameekofficial
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/tc-5Q36bU9E?si=7TAiZCV31xpvPSn5
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/iHXrs5GW56HpsnH49
- Other: https://www.stavisfilm.com/studio
Image Credits
Tnickelson
Ryzhon Middleton
