Reverbnation Artist: Levon's Ghost L.A.

Brian Ripple

Born the same decade as hip hops’ invention, Levon Allen, as he is known by those in the business world, has lived a life worthy of a book deal. From Ashy to Classy and some time in Trashy, Levon spent half of his childhood in Connecticut, where he bounced around a few foster homes, while his mother fought a crack addiction. Levon moved to Florida for high school where he developed the LA persona. This allowed him to say the things he thought, act without conscious, and develop his skills in the arts. It was about this time that he heard a quote=”the future black man must be mulch-dialectal, able to negotiate the troubled waters of corporate America and the ills of the American streets. LA also began acting and doing comedy at this time, though he would keep it amongst a small circle of friends, as he did with his rhymes.

And then Levon took over. He left the arts..became obsessed with money and power and a twisted sense of respect. Levon bought and ran a successful sales company-blowing over a million dollars in 5 years on Wine, Women and Weed.
The birth of Levon’s son in 2005 changed the game. How would he leave a legacy?

He decided to start writing music again and recording the songs as memoirs to his seed. One day a friend heard one of the tracks and asked why he didn’t pursue a long lost dream of entertainment. From then on Levon’s Ghost LA was born. After being diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, Levon accepted that within him was a Ghost. A ghost of his past that would determine his future.

“Back 2 da Future” was LGLA’s first hit. It was picked up by Microsoft as a sponsored song and from there the dream gained momentum. Levon began to record tirelessly and hooked up with a Bozeman rapper Jessta and started to record and perform more. With over 100 songs under his belt at this time-Levon encountered the Law of Montana. A reminder that he was a black man in a red state: Levon was sentenced to a 3 year prison sentence for erasing the database of a company that had not paid him for his work. The dream could have died.
But the prison sentence only made him stronger.

Now fully released late 2013 Levon returns to the scene better than ever! With another 100 songs recorded and over 50 features since 2013, he has been on a Pac like work ethic. He has returned to stage where he has starred or co-starred in a number of productions, shot his first Indy film, and become a Comedy Improv director, all while maintaining a consistency in his music. Raps “Wayne Brady” fills his music with heartfelt tales of loneliness, heartbreak, and life. Melody is his typical goal in his music. LGLA has sworn to never compromise himself or his music. Many claim to be real, Levon proves it with his everyday actions. LA is still the beast within. Ghost is still the relentless interpreter. Enjoy.

O yeah-he’s opened for some top notch artist...but thinks that crap should not be bragged on-its all relationship based.

Bozeman Magazine: I have had the pleasure of seeing you preform live a couple times. What do you feel sets you apart from your peers as a Hip-Hop artist while on stage?

LGLA: My one man band mentality. Even when I rock with my favorite DJ AntLove, I find myself so into the performance that I need him to level me down a bit. I remember being entertained at hip hop shows as a kid, so I dance, tell jokes while I catch my breath-and sometimes I become my own hype man.

BM: You have several talents as an entertainer, if you could be successful on a national level, but only at one thing, which talent would you like it to be?

LGLA: I would never choose, I would rather die than choose between stage, film, or music. I believe that for me, they are all intertwined.

BM: What would you say are some of the hardest things facing a Montana Hip-Hop artist?

LGLA: Some of the hardest things we face is -assumptions. So many have their own ideas of what a “Montana” rapper should sound like-and its that box mentality that slows the growth. The artist who originate from this reason must understand that to be truly accepted by the Hip Hop community..you have to be real-bottom line. No matter what that real is - the culture will accept. Sadly, mainstreams influence on the “type” of rap that is presented fools a lot of inspiring writers/performers to think they must embody everything negative. If you are not about that life, leave it be. Also we are a small market so we must learn to work closely as a region with our neighboring states, who face the same challenges.

BM: Do you see any advantages to being a Hip-Hop artist in Montana as opposed to a major city?

LGLA: I guess that is all determined by expectations. you can certainly make more $ in the major city getting paid gigs. But I would say the biggest advantage is fan loyalty. We don’t let radio tell us who to love here (most of us) So when you gain a Montana fan, its real.

BM: It looks like you have some shows in Billings and Missoula in May, Please make sure you let us know as soon as you are coming back to Bozeman, and we will help spread the word.

LGLA: Going to be doing some opens for Snow Tha Product, MGK, Whitney Peyton and a few others. I am hoping to return to Bozeman really soon to perform, but you can catch me there quite a bit as my youngest children still live there. Bozeman will always be my home. I only hope that one day I can make them all proud enough to say-You redeemed yourself...we are proud to call you ours.

Currently LGLA is spending the remainder of his time on this green and blue advocating for the most vulnerable and precious. LGLA is preparing a second fundraiser for Abused and Neglected Children for the CASA organization. The first event was called HipHop4Kids, this year it has changed to Electric City
Music 4 Kids! With commitments from Hemingway, Co-dependents, Raised Broke Entertainment and more. Anyone looking to participate, donate or just attend can do so at www.facebook.com/events/675409675848544/
For Booking Contact Stacy Allen @ 406-799-4177   

This was made by