MJ here with On The Scene NY.  Tonight I’d like to introduce former professional wrestler, now model and Hip Hop Artist from upstate New York Luca Brassy!  Brassy’s latest single “3000” produced by P Diddy’s Young Lord is hitting the clubs, globally by storm!

MJ:  I’m very curious to hear about your time spent as professional wrestler!  How did you get into that field and how did that transform into music and modeling?  You definitely hold title to Entertainer!

Luca Brassy: I started in pro-wrestling at 13.  I was always into it as a kid and when I had the opportunity to get involved in it, I didn’t really knock on the door…I kind of kicked it down and did whatever I could to learn.  Eventually, it led me to open my own school at age 15-17.  It’s a lot to go through, but let’s just say in the wrestling industry (like a lot of entertainment), people would rather hurt your career than help it.  Once I got out, I knew I had to find something for a release of my aggression and that I had to love it as much or more than I did wrestling.  That’s when I found music which, in turn, led to modeling and acting and everything else I do.

MJ:  Let’s take it back a bit.  Tell us about growing up in upstate New York.  Is music in the genes? What is the music scene like out there?  I’ve heard both “lit” and non-existent.

Luca Brassy: There’s not a lot of action upstate.  We are about 2 hours from NYC, which is good, but the music scene in both areas couldn’t be more day and night. Growing up here wasn’t bad, but the music scene has never been great.  It’s NYC where you want to go.  As far as music being in my genes, I come from a very musically inclined family, but no one has ever wanted to take it as far as I do.

MJ:  What do you find most challenging as an artist and model?  What are some successes of both that you can share?

Luca Brassy: Some challenges are, the time it takes to care for all the aspects of what I do, and definitely finding a balance of making money, doing what I love, and having some kind of social life.  I’m also a personal trainer and take fitness on as a full time gig so time is tough to manage sometimes.  As an artist, I was signed to Tate Music Group in 2014 and Sony RED in 2015.  I have also opened for Lil Kim and Rakim and worked with a producer in ATL who does P Diddy’s work.  Modeling kind of ties into this as I’m always in front of a camera for a video or photo shoot.

MJ:  Because you are also an established model do you find that you are held in a different light from fans?  Are you fully embraced in the music industry as an artist?

Luca Brassy: Modeling is second to music.  I do a lot more in film and music than I do modeling.  Getting accepted as a model was a lot easier than music, especially being white in a predominantly black genre of music.

MJ:  Your resume is quiet impressive!  How did you link up with Young Lord and other notable industry heavy hitters?

Luca Brassy: I came in touch with some of the “big wigs” in the industry through hard work and never giving up.  I started in my bedroom with a pad and pen and ended up in a multimillion dollar studio several times.  Some of my former “management” (I use that term loosely) pulled a few strings and got me linked with Young Lord, but that’s really all I can thank them for.

MJ:  Let’s talk about your latest single “3000” produced by Young Lord.  It is most definitely a club banger!  “3000” is that track you can bump in the car, in the gym, prepping for a date, etc.! Give us the who, what, why, when, where, and how of “3000”!

Luca Brassy: “3000” came about through meeting Young Lord and needing new material.  He sent me a few beats and that’s the one I chose due to the fast paced tempo and upbeat vibe.  I wrote it over the course of a couple days and went to ATL to lay it down.  The video was shot in PA and was released a few months later.  People love it!

MJ:  You have your own style, you are incredibly talented, and unique in delivery.  Tell us what separates you from other artists.

Luca Brassy: I feel what separates me from other artists is number one, my work ethic.  I can think of 5 guys off the top from upstate NY alone that I think are more talented than I am. But they don’t have the drive I do.  Therefore, I’ve gone beyond because I believe hard work will beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard.  With my music I like to connect a lot of syllables within lines and do a lot of run on with very little time to breathe.  It’s always been that way.  But I can also spit bars, not just EDM and pop type music.  But I think I’ve found my own niche that fits the mainstream, but you still know it’s a Brassy record.  Just like Bruno Mars!

MJ:  Talk about some upcoming projects you are working on.  What does 2018 have in store for Luca Brassy?

Luca Brassy: Right now, I’m in the midst of my first feature film role in the upcoming Indie film “Dollmaker”. I’m also providing music for the soundtrack.  I am also starting an online dating site called Starttodate.com LLC.  That’s due the beginning of the year.  Within music, I plan to drop a new EP in 2018 and am always doing collaborations with people from various parts of the world (Miami, London, South Africa, Israel to name a few).

MJ:  Talk about the importance of investing in yourself and networking!  Obviously, based on your resume the investment is paying off in more ways than monetary.    SXSW is a prime example of investing in one’s career.  Talk about that experience as well.

Luca Brassy: If an artist doesn’t invest in themselves first, no one else will. Believe me, I didn’t think I needed anyone else either, but any serious artist comes to a point that they need help and investors unless you’re independently wealthy.  I was supposed to be at SXSW a couple years ago, but as fate would have it, it wasn’t meant to be as my flight got delayed and missed my slot.  I did perform at the A3C festival in ATL though, which was great… Always invest in yourself!

MJ:  I’m curious, who is in your personal playlist?  Who, musically, has an impact on your career?

Luca Brassy: I love all forms of music.  I actually don’t listen to a lot of Hip Hop anymore.  I love the old school, but not a huge fan of current trends in Hip Hop.  Some of my inspirations and favorites you can find on my personal playlist are…Johnny Clegg, Michael Jackson, Meatloaf, Metallica, ACDC, Huey Lewis and the News, Matisyahu, Eminem, Nas, Big Pun, Rakim, to name some.

MJ:  As we wrap up, is there anything else you want the world to know about Luca Brassy?

Luca Brassy: If it’s one thing that you shouldn’t do…don’t ever listen to the naysayers.  People will tell you that you’re not good enough, or it can’t be done, or just shoot to be normal.  The last thing I want to be is like everyone else…I’d hate that.  POW!

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