Starry Nite Arts Festival in Houston [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW + Photo Gallery]

Deborah R.

Oct 29, 20236 min read

Updated: Oct 29, 2023

Get to Know the Actor, Musician, & Writer Alan Z

Introduction

Following an electrifying performance at Atlanta's Korean festival, the sensational artist Alan Z made a remarkable appearance at Houston's Starry Nite Art Festival. Alan graced the stage, captivating the audience with an energizing showcase of his latest two-track single, "Libra Energy" and "No Way."

Before his electrifying performance, the artist generously shared moments with his adoring fans, who had traveled more than three hours to be in his presence. He graciously posed for photos and signed autographs, making the festival experience unforgettable for his dedicated supporters.

But the surprises didn't end there. Alan Z, known for his approachable and genuine personality, made time for an exclusive in-person interview with K-Fuse. A momentous interaction that offered deeper insights into his music and artistry. Dive into the exclusive interview below and delve into the world of Alan Z.

K-Fuse: Hi, Alan Z! What an honor it is to be able to connect with you here in Houston at the Starry Nite Art Festival. We first want to say thank you for taking the time to talk with us here at K Fuse. We love your work! Our founders are big fans of yours and covered your recent performance at the Atlanta Korean Festival on September 30th.

K-Fuse: Could you please take a moment to say hello and introduce yourself to followers/readers (We proudly call them #SoundLovers as most are fans of multiple artists and genres)?

Alan: Hey Sound Lovers my name is Alan Z. I'm a rapper, singer and actor based in Atlanta, Georgia and I am happy to be here to share my story with you guys.

K-Fuse: Who / What has had the greatest impact on your choice to pursue music as a career?

Alan: I would say the ultimate inspiration for me since childhood would definitely be Eminem, but I also have a lot of influences outside of him. I am really into 90’s and 2000’s hip-hop. Some names I can come up with are Nas, Jay Z, 50 Cent, Tonedeff. But also, because I sing too, I would say Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, The Weeknd. So, I’m a blend as far as my influences.

K-Fuse: Not only are you a musician, but also an actor. Tell us a little about how you got into this role.

Alan: I first got interested in acting through high school. I did improv and theater, and I minored in acting in college. I always wanted to act and I knew I had the ability but when I was younger, I didn’t know it was possible because every role I saw that was for Asian people, especially Asian men was always negative, so I put it on the back burner. I was like, “I’m going to do music first,” because it seemed like I would be able to express myself the way I wanted to. However, 2018 happened and Crazy Rich Asians came out and all of these big movies with Asian casts happened and it made me realize it was possible. I was like “I really want to do this.” Now acting is my primary passion. I still love music of course, but I can see myself acting long term more than anything else.

K-Fuse: As an independent artist, how do you feel that social media has impacted the music industry?

Alan: I think there are pros and cons. For example, you don’t have to be reserved to just your city. You can go out digitally and meet different people. It’s a good tool if you know how to use it. However, one thing social media has done is made everyone feel like they can do it. Not just music but anything, so now it is an oversaturated market for anything you wanna do, and finding a star is like finding a needle in a haystack. You have to go really hard and go above and beyond to stand among everyone else and that’s a challenge.

K-Fuse: Among listeners, you are well-known for having developed your own unique sound by fusing hip-hop with R&B melodies and pop. What was that process like for you to find and create your own unique sound that set you apart from other artists?

Alan: I think it was really finding out who I am as a person. I am still discovering that but I would say because I mix all these genres such as hip-hop, R&B, and pop primarily it helps me identify who I am and what I am. I'm a person that isn’t just a one trick pony, which is why I like to incorporate different sounds into my work. But also the way I write is different from everyone. People who really listen to my lyrics know that I incorporate a lot of pop culture references, a lot of wordplay, alliteration, and a lot of nerdy stuff that a lot of people who are not rap nerds would not care about. However I do it because it's a quirk. It's part of my personality. So, that part of me I think is very unique.

K-Fuse: You just recently released "Libra Energy." Could you talk about the creative process, inspiration/s and meaning behind "Libra Energy?"

Alan: I'm not the biggest connoisseur of zodiac knowledge. However, I am really into my own zodiac sign; I am really into being a Libra. I wanted to write a song that captures that energy, no pun intended, because I understand my zodiac very well. I also thought it would be a very fun song to release which is why I released it on October 6th, two days before my birthday as a celebration to myself. If you guys listen to “Libra Energy,” either on Spotify or Apple Music, you will notice that there is a bonus track called “No Way.” You know, us Libras have the scale, the balance, so we have the lighthearted song “Libra Energy,” and “No Way,” which is more trap-melodic and darker. So it is a two-track single.

K-Fuse: Well, Happy Belated Birthday! What was it like working on "Spends Like Money" for the 3rd season of HBO's "Warrior?"

Alan: Thank you! It was great! I’ve been trying to get on Warrior for like 3 seasons now, so I am glad I got to go on this 3rd season. Third time's the charm I guess. I was really honored. I think Warrior is a great show to be a part of, especially because I am a huge fan of Bruce Lee and when I released that song, the Bruce Lee estate reposted my song on their Twitter and also on their Instagram. It was like getting that validation. Also, being part of the legacy of a platform like HBO Max is cool because I grew up watching The Wire, and Game of Thrones. To be part of that network is awesome.

K-Fuse: What's the best advice you've been given as a singer?

Alan: Don’t listen to everyone’s opinions if they’re not qualified. I think when you’re an artist of any sort, people are going to have all these different types of things to say about you, and you’re going to have to filter out what works for you and what does not. That’s really the trick behind finding yourself because you’re going to have all these different opinions, all this different feedback and it's up to you to figure out what’s going to work for you.

K-Fuse: Lastly, is there a message you would like to leave for your fans?

Alan: Yeah, I would love to see all of you guys in person, so I know online love is great. I love to see you all like and comment stuff, but I also like to hug all of my fans and meet them in person. SO if I am ever in your city, please come out so that I can meet you, thank you, and just hang out with you guys. Thank you K-Fuse!