August Alsina’s rise in music is a testament to his talent and hard work. At 32, he has made a big impact on R&B. His debut single “I Luv This Sh*t” with Trinidad James hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 50. It also got double platinum from the RIAA.
Alsina comes from New Orleans, Louisiana. His path to fame was filled with ups and downs. He started posting covers on YouTube at 14. Then, he signed with Def Jam and released hits that topped the charts.
His music tells his story, mixing R&B with hip-hop. His first album, “Testimony,” reached number two on the Billboard 200. This made him a rising star. His later albums, like “This Thing Called Life” and “The Product III: State of Emergency,” showed his range and storytelling skills.
Alsina’s success shows the power of never giving up and staying true to oneself. From YouTube to being a celebrated R&B artist, his journey is inspiring. It shows the American dream can come true through hard work and passion.
Early Life and Background
August Alsina was born on September 3, 1992, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His childhood was tough, with both his father and stepfather struggling with crack cocaine addiction. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Alsina moved to Houston. At 16, he became homeless after his mother kicked him out.
Despite the tough times, August Alsina’s love for music started with Lauryn Hill’s performance in Sister Act 2. With no musical background in his family, he was inspired by Hill’s voice. This sparked him to start uploading cover videos to YouTube at 14, quickly gaining fans.
“I started singing at 13 and uploading videos on YouTube at 14, and within weeks, I had 300,000 views.”
Alsina faced many challenges, even dealing drugs to survive. Yet, his dream to make it in music never faded. He dedicated himself fully, leading to his rise to fame.
Challenges Faced in Childhood
Alsina also dealt with the loss of his brother, Melvin La’Branch III, in 2010. This loss deeply affected him, shaping his music and emotions.
Rise to Fame
August Alsina’s big break came with “I Luv This Shit” in 2013. This song hit number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went double platinum. His debut EP, “Downtown: Life Under the Gun,” also made a splash, landing on the Billboard 200 chart.
Alsina’s collaborations with big names helped him shine. He worked with Nicki Minaj on “No Love (Remix)” and DJ Khaled on hit tracks. These collaborations boosted his fame and brought him to more fans.
Impact of YouTube on His Career
Alsina started on YouTube in 2007. His early videos, including covers and originals, built a loyal fan base. This early success set the stage for his rise in the music world.
“August Alsina’s music resonates with millions of young people, reflecting a substantial impact on his audience.”
Alsina’s music career shows his hard work and passion. Despite hurdles, he has connected deeply with his fans. His emotional performances have made him a star in R&B.
Musical Style and Influences
August Alsina’s music is a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and soul. His unique sound is known for honest lyrics and soulful singing. He draws inspiration from artists like Chris Brown, Usher, and R. Kelly.
Blending Genres, Crafting a Unique Sound
August Alsina combines hip-hop beats with R&B’s emotional vocals. His 2014 album “Testimony” hit No. 2 on the charts. Songs like “I Luv This Sh*t” and “Ghetto” featuring Rich Homie Quan are huge hits, with “I Luv This Sh*t” having over 33 million YouTube views.
Influential Mentors and Collaborators
Alsina’s music career has been shaped by big names. He looks up to R. Kelly, Usher, and Chris Brown for their R&B skills and deep lyrics. His song “Get Ya Money” featuring Fabolous shows his talent for uplifting music.
Signature Sound and Emotional Lyricism
Alsina’s music is known for its raw, soulful feel. Songs like “Hold You Down” have over 149 million views. His honest lyrics and storytelling have made him a key figure in R&B today.
Notable Albums and Projects
August Alsina has made a big impact in the music world. His first album, “Testimony” in 2014, was a huge hit. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and included songs like “I Luv This Shit” and “No Love.”
This album made Alsina a rising star in R&B.
“This Thing Called Life” Exploration
Alsina’s second album, “This Thing Called Life” (2015), showed his growth. It was less popular than his first but still touched fans. The album talked about love, heartbreak, and personal struggles.
Latest Work and Future Projects
In 2020, Alsina released “The Product III: State of Emergency” on his own. It showed his musical range and maturity. His 2023 album, “Myself,” is seen as organic and independent.
It has emotional songs and upbeat tracks. Alsina has hinted at retiring, but his powerful voice and meaningful lyrics keep him relevant. Fans are excited to see what he does next.
Source Links
- August Alsina
- August Alsina Opens Up About His Battle with Drug Addiction | ThisisRnB.com – New R&B Music, Artists, Playlists, Lyrics
- August Alsina Explains Why He Stepped Away From The Music Industry – theJasmineBRAND
- Who is August Alsina? Everything You Need to Know
- August Alsina Jr. – Black Music Scholar
- Before Fame with August Alsina: The Life of a Super-star
- Who is August Alsina? What to know about the man behind Jada Pinkett Smith’s ‘entanglement’
- August Alsina Says "I Devoted Myself" to Jada Pinkett Smith
- AUGUST ALSINA (CASE STUDY) | music-industry
- August Alsina – Get Ya Money ft. Fabolous – Singersroom.com
- August Alsina – Myself (Album Review)
- August Alsina – Hard Knocks – Singersroom.com
- August Alsina – Songs, Events and Music Stats | Viberate.com
