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The title has changed.
The role has changed.
But for Alex Warren, it’s still all about the music

A lifetime in the music industry has led to this moment for West High alum Alex Warren, known professionally as Lex Lucazi.

A musician and music producer with massive credits with massive artists, Warren has devoted much of his career to raising others. Whether it’s helping students learn the business at Livingstone University where he received an honorary doctorate or by guiding and producing younger artists on the path to success, Warren has spent more time uplifting others than himself.

Now, in his latest role, as CEO of EL3V8/118 Records under the Empire Music umbrella, Warren is crisscrossing the country, hobnobbing with big names, the movers and shakers behind the scenes and looking for new talent he can help develop.

“EL3V8/118 Records was built on the idea of reaching out to talent through social media and cultivating it to go to the next level,“ he said. “As CEO I am constantly using my long held industry connections and relationships to build bridges between the artist and the finality of project release.

“Being a veteran record producer/musician is also important in the process because I can guide the artist to bring together a viable recording. I also have other tasks doing administration, publishing and connecting with visual production facilities, content and marketing teams, as well as other producers and artists for collaboration. A lot of negotiating as well. We are currently finalizing our deal with a major distribution company.”

Warren says EL3V8 will do business with multiple musical genres including world music, Afrobeats and more. He does not want to be labeled as having only one lane.

While Warren will continue his life-long role advocating for talent, in his new role he has represented the business side of music as well.

“I will remain an advocate for the creative side of this industry,” he said. “However, I have to be stringent and precise in procuring and vetting talent. I work with very talented people and I would hope that one is ready for that kind of competition when they arrive.”

Warren said the distribution deal was signed last month and now he and his partner and CFO Daniel Raio are hard at work.

“This is my creation, I formed a label basically with friends out of New York,” he said.

While he remains based in East Tennessee, Warren has recently found himself at work in both Los Angeles – for the Grammys – and New York .

While in L.A., Warren was working but also took time to celebrate Empire’s success. He found himself at a seafood boil hosted Jon Batiste and the Batiste family, at the Empire party with Shabooezy, Fat Joe and others.

He took meetings, walked the red carpet and – maybe most improbably – met with a friend from back home, Betsy Stibler who was at the Grammy’s as a seat filler.

For Warren, it was mostly business. He’s been around celebrities often and isn’t easily awed.

However, the house he rented in Venice Beach with a view of the Pacific was a little more awe-inspiring.

“To me, I’ve been around celebrities, It’s not like it’s crazy. It’s business. I’ll say hi and keep it moving or talk about things that have nothing to do with their fame,” he explained. “But that house I got on Venice Beach was outstanding… once I got down there in front of that ocean and that sun hit me, I was done.

“I called some guys I knew and they asked if I was coming back to the city and I said, ‘Nope. Y’all can come out here,’

“It’s the geography that wows me every time. The flora and fauna and the dramatic differences.”

After the Grammys it was back to Tennessee for a bit before heading to New York for more meetings.

Asked if his new role might require him to leave East Tennessee more than he has in the past, he said ultimately, he can’t be afraid to extend himself further.

“California is beautiful and Los Angeles (and New York) is where the decisions are made,” he said. “I’m sure it would be expensive (to commute more) but we at EL3V8 do what is necessary for our business to expand nationally and globally.

“I will most likely be out in California more. One cannot be afraid or timid in this crazy industry. I stay grounded until I’m not. When it’s time to heat it up, then it gets heated.”

Now that it’s getting heated. what’s next?

“Developing a record label that elevates the artist and has relevance within the recording industry,” he said. “Producing good music and trying to lead a relatively quiet life in this crazy industry.”