Pop-Culturalist.com

Alec Meza is one to watch in 2020. He’s captured the attention both of the industry and of fans with an inventive sound that’s redefining the alt hip-hop genre. Later this summer, he’s expected to drop his highly anticipated debut album, which embodies his journey from adolescence to adulthood, and he’s giving us the first taste of what’s to come with his new single, “Hot Boy Summer.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Alec to learn more about his passion for music and his upcoming release.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Alec: I discovered my passion for music being surrounded by it. My dad was a drummer. He can also deejay. I was influenced by the type of music that I grew up listening to. Then I started to take it more seriously when my friends started doing marching band in high school. I was like, “Damn, that’s pretty cool. Everybody’s musical. I want to be a part of it.” So I started writing more and I learned how to play the piano.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Alec: I would say the relationships that I’ve had, whether it be intimate relationships with girls or relationships I had with my parents or grandparents. I feel like I find myself writing a lot about that as a whole.

PC: You started releasing music this year. What was that process like, deciding which tracks would be released out to the world and be your musical introduction?
Alec: That was actually a long process. My friends and I have been working so hard on this record that’s about to come out. We worked on it for probably a year and a half, two years. We were going over it and we were like, “What should we release first?” We decided that since we worked really hard on this record that we wanted to put something out that doesn’t have anything to do with it. We decided to release Flash / Drugs. My buddies Pete and Nick did the production. It’s a two-sided track. Everybody felt good about the writing, the energy, the mood, the production, and the mix. It felt right, so that’s what we ended up putting out there as the first release.

PC: You recently dropped “Hot Boy Summer.” What was the inspiration behind the song?
Alec: Wow, “Hot Boy Summer” came out three or four weeks ago. I was looking back at my high school self and how I’ve grown up because that’s a lot to do with the record that’s coming up. I was reflecting about those feelings that you have when you and your friends are getting ready for the summertime in high school. You feel unstoppable about everything. You’re old enough to work and have a car, and you could do what you wanted.

Then when it came to the women and girls aspect of life, you feel like “I feel so good that I can get anybody I want. I’m going to act reckless and be with this person and this person.” Then you hit the age where you don’t even know that it happened. It just happens without any preconceived notion of what you think it is. You meet this person that you know you want to change for. Like I said, you don’t even know how it happens, but in a second, you grow up and you say, “I like this.”

PC: Like you’ve been saying, you’re gearing up for the release of your debut album. What can fans expect from Extra Virgin?
Alec: It’s pretty cool. I’m excited because you can expect a couple of different things. You can get to know me because the way that I write, the things that I speak about on the record are very personal. People who have never heard my music and hear this will be like, “This is very honest. I can respect what is being said, whether I relate to it or not.”

At the same time, there are tracks on the record that will make your head move and make you feel good. It’s a very summertime album. I hope people listen to it without expectations. You’re going to see, if you listen to it all the way, that there’s a bunch of different things that I think everyone will like. There’s rap, there’s pop, there’s indie rock. You can expect to have a good time while you’re listening to it.

PC: With this being your debut album, what did you learn about yourself as an artist and man?
Alec: Things only last a season—even the strong feelings you’ll hear on the album. I felt really down about certain things and was unsure, but those feelings don’t last. Good things in life happen, but they too only last a season. I’m excited to put this out because this is a whole chapter of my life that I think I’m ready to move on from. While I was making it, I was so headstrong. I was into every single word and note that I put into it. Now I’m ready to grow. I’m ready to start the next chapter in my life. You have to appreciate each day for the day that it is.

PC: If you had to pick one song off of Extra Virgin that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Alec: I would say the title track. As an artist, I’d say that’s what represents me the most. That track has a lot of weird eighties mixed with indie rap and hip-hop productions. It has nice melody lines and a nice hook but also the real rap that I’m able to do. It really encompasses my skills and feelings. When it comes to a favorite song, that changes every week. I’ll let everyone listen to it and figure out theirs on June 18.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Alec: Jason Mraz

PC: First album you bought?
Alec: Late Registration by Kanye West

PC: First concert you attended?
Alec: I went to concerts when I was a little kid, but I don’t want to count those. I think the first one that I went to on my own was a J. Cole concert at PNC Bank Arts Center.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Alec: Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. I’ve never in my years on this planet listened to something so movie-esque. It perfectly transitions from song to song to song. It set a standard for me.

PC: A venue that’s on your bucket list to perform at?
Alec: That’s tough. Red Rocks in Colorado would be super cool. I have family who lives in Colorado who grew up in Colorado. My cousin saw Kid Cudi there when he was doing the Man on the Moon tour. He said it was just the craziest experience ever, so I think that’d be super cool.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Alec: You’ve got to have some ChapStick. You don’t want to look crusty. Also, some Fiji water and some good people. If you’re on the road with bad people, it’ll get old real quick.

To keep up with Alec, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.