Meet Jacob Peterson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacob Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacob, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I always love answering this question because I grew up in three different states with different cultures and and communities.
I was born in Los Angeles and resided in Hawthorne/Inglewood, California. A few years into my childhood me and my family all moved to Shreveport, “Ratchet City”, Louisiana where I spent most of my childhood. Then, my mother decided to move us again and we currently reside in Houston, Texas where I graduated high school.
A few people told me that I am a “jack of all trades”, and I never really understood what that meant until I realized I grew up in different backgrounds and cultures, which sparked a supernova of uniqueness to my artistry and personality. L.A. is where I mainly get my fashion and open minded creativity from. I always have to think outside the box. Shreveport is where I found my voice. I grew up in the church (shoutout to Galilee), and I sang in the choir, did plays/musicals, and even step team, which is where I gained a talent of choreography and dance. Houston was the piece of the puzzle that I didn’t know was missing. That’s where I truly got my swag and flow from. I can go on and on about that city, and how it birthed sooo many amazing artist I love: Bun. B, Z-Ro, Beyoncé, Yolonda Adams, Travis Scott, Solange, Don Toliver and so many more rising stars. Houston also is where I coined “trillest of the south”, which means I came from three different cities, states, cultures, etc, and bringing a raw, fresh wave of music into this massive entertainment industry, Imma rep these three cities till my last. breath because it plays such a huge impact and influence in my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Jalzea is a very multidimensional creative artist that truly is a student of music. He has no borders, nor does he have no limits or boundaries. I am one of the very few artists that doesn’t label themselves under one category or genre. Of course that would default me to Pop, but I am so much more than that. I am hip hop, trap, R&B, soul, neo soul, gospel. alternative, soft rock, country, classical, blues, jazz, and funk. My palette has expanded over the course of my music career and still is expanding today. I want to be the first artist to dominate in multiple genres and encourage my peers in music to not box themselves in under one genre. Music is universal, and I believe that us artists should be free in exploring any and every genre we desire, which is why I am here to break that fourth wall.
I began singing when I was seven years old, and became a recording artist at 18. I have had success in music by performing at private charity events, being on the Ellen Show twice, also on the Jennifer Hudson show, and also being recognized by hometown in Shreveport in various interviews. And the crazy thing is, I still feel as if I haven’t scratched the surface. There is so much more I have to do.
A lot of these things I have accomplished thus far required blood sweat and tears. A lot of tears, and also a lot of prayers. This truly made me into the man I am today. Nothing was handed to me which some people felt differently, and I am clocking that now. Every opportunity was given to me by God himself. And still to this day, I feel so unworthy of all the things and places he has brought me to. I still feel like its a dream. And I truly want people who are like me to know that they can truly do anything they put their minds to. Even without a budget, cause I was a broke college student, depending on my roommates to cook a meal, and I didn’t grow up in a wealthy household. My parents did their absolute best to make sure we were taken care of and stayed in the church and in school. I promise when there is a will, there is a way. And if you have God within you, people will see him through you and get you to the right places at the right time to meet the right people to help bring you to the places you and God talk about all the time.
I just released a song titled “BUCK IT!”, which is track two on my upcoming album that will be released later in the year. I have been working on this album since 2022 and still working on it as I speak during this interview. I do have the album name and I want to share more, but you have to stay tuned because I’m not gonna lie, this album is going to be revolutionary. It truly perceives the spirit of “duality”, and how I tell the story of who I am, and the constant battle between good and bad, courage and insecurity, love and hatred, truth and betrayal, peace and war. It truly is a body of art and I can’t wait for the world to have it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my goodnessssss! Haha! I love love LOVE L.A. This is where me and my besties used to come and hangout, and now I am currently a resident, I get to do it everyday? HELLO? Where do I even begin?
Okay so first thing when we get off the plane at LAX, we are probably going to go to this really nice thai restaurant in Marina Del Rey called Siamese Gardens. So good. Then the next day we gotta go hiking either at the hollywood sign, or at the Culver City stairs. I love a good view of the city when you make it to the top, it’s so rewarding. After that, we have to run to Erewhon and get our smoothies, period! I don’t care if its 22.89, make it extra thick! Haha! Then we would end our day going to Zuma beach in Malibu and driving through Santa Monica mountains. Sorry to my bestie with motion sickness, I will drive slower this time. My last day would be jam packed. From getting breakfast at Manhattan Beach, to getting lunch at Ritrovo at Playa Vista, to shopping like we’re rich at Rodeo drive while taking cute photos on the balcony at Louis Vuitton. Then we seal the day with a night out at WeHo, dancing with the girls and the gworls, making it truly a trip to remember.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am a firm believer of the saying “it takes a village to raise up a child”. Without my family, I would not be who I am today. Specifically my father, who was a musician himself, made sure to keep the music alive in the family growing up. He had instruments everywhere throughout the house to where it was nearly impossible for you to not go a day without playing at least one of them. He was a true mastermind and creator of music and art, and I am so blessed to have him as my closest mentor in music and art. He sadly passed away a few months ago, and although the pain may not ever go away, his vision and music still remains and I will do everything in my power to honor his legacy and carry it for generations to come. I love you daddy.
Also, I want to give a shoutout again to Galilee Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. They really kept me active and super busy in the church and Dr. Wade and Ms. Allen played such a huge role in molding my voice and making me more confident in singing in front of big crowds of people. They are true masters of their craft and shows me what true musicianship looks like.

Website: https://jalzea.com

Instagram: @jalzea

Twitter: @jalzea_

Facebook: @jalzea

Youtube: @jalzea

Other: All social media platforms: @jalzea

Image Credits
Editorial Photos by: @d.vision_ on Instagram
Additional Photos by: @gustavo.photography on Instagram and my sister Jereca Peterson