We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alonzo Duncan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alonzo below.

Alright, Alonzo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

So, back in 2010, my long-time childhood friend Amiir Hall introduced me to FL Studio music-creating software. We used to hang out in my garage daily as youngins just trying to figure out our way in the music industry. He rapped and I came from the background of church musicians, I loved playing drums as I used to for my church’s choir on Sunday mornings. I used to stay up late nights and mornings trying to perfect my craft of beats as I was influenced by the big producers at the time Lex Luger and Southside from 808 Mafia. I would wake up early before school to make or finish a beat I started the previous day, even being in trouble for not doing homework & getting bad grades because I was so dedicated to making my beats sound like the pros in the industry.

Fast forward 3 years later at age 15, I received my first industry placement with the legendary artist Chief Keef on his Bang pt 2 mixtape. All those 3 years of practice, learning, and studying paid off quickly. Chief Keef posted on his Twitter account that he needed beats for his mixtape with an email posted. I would flood his email sending beats every day after I got out of school. I posted the same beat to my SoundCloud page after I made the beat. The mixtape Bang 2 dropped in August 2013 I didn’t listen to the mixtape fully and didn’t know my beat was on the mixtape. About a month or two later someone commented “Gotta Glo Up One Day” to the beat on my SoundCloud.

I researched the song and instantly I recognized it was the beat that I sent him. The beat was originally named Got Bandz, so I can tell I gave him inspiration hence that’s why it’s called “Gotta Glo Up One Day”. I was so excited as I manifested a big dream of mine which was to get a song with Chief Keef. The song was such a hit it influenced the world to now everyone saying Glo Up or Glow Up. It was a huge moment in history that I would forever be proud of and grateful for.

Alonzo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well, I go by ZoBeatz, you can follow me on Instagram @zobeatz, my Twitter @1zobeatz, and Facebook “Zo Glo”. I provide high-quality beats for independent and industry artists. From trap,r&B, drill, etc I can really make anything. Most artists don’t want to use youtube beats anymore so they come to me to get that original authentic sound. I got songs with a ton of independent and industry artists. From Chief Keef, Lil Baby, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, YSN Flow, & many more. I provide beats that artists are looking for and can help make your dreams into reality as I have for a lot of artists. I also provide direction as to how to approach the music industry I have the knowledge of that as well and I’ve helped develop many artists into who they’ve become today.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

There were many lessons in this business. First is to take nothing personally in this business. a lot of people mess up their connections by being too emotional and that can hinder your career or even get you blackballed. I’ve also learned is to not rush, many even myself tried to rush my process because I was seeing other producers & artists from my city that I know personally blow up and get deals. I’ve had to unlearn to do everything by myself, that’s the biggest misconception in this business. Everyone screams independence but in reality, they all have a team behind them to help push them to be the best they can be in business.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding thing for me is seeing the move in the culture I’ve made just from my beats. There is no money in the world that can compare to the influence I’ve created just from music, especially when there was a time when my music sucked, and barely anyone would give me a chance. Also, getting recognition and praise for how my music helped someone in their life. I’ve had people tell me they would listen to the song I produced for Chief Keef before basketball and football games. It’s a no better feeling than getting recognition for your music in my personal opinion.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @zobeatz
• Facebook: Zo Glo
• Twitter: @1zobeatz
• Youtube: ZoBeatz