Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
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When AL99, pronounced “AL Nine-Nine,” drops a new track, it’s never just another single—it’s an experience. His latest release, “WHY II,” the ninth track from his EP Elevate, is no exception. From the first bars, the song is reflective, pulling listeners into the artist’s world of introspection, faith, and cultural awareness.
“I really was in the moment of reflection,” AL99 explains, recounting the creation of “WHY II.” “It was reflective from my own journey, and then reflective in terms of how I think about the world and what was going on at the time. I feel like music is so important to connect us all because then we realize we’re all the same.”
The song arrives as part of Elevate, a nine-track collection that sees AL99 seamlessly navigating the highs and lows of life and Hip-Hop. Tracks like “SET IT OFF,” “POP,” “ENIGMA,” “SINK OR SWIM,” “9 GOD,” “PASSION,” and “MOMMA” showcase the versatility that fans have come to expect. Each track feels intentional, with AL99 carefully crafting every beat, hook, and lyric to reflect a broader journey.
What makes “WHY II” unique in AL99’s catalog is its collaborative genesis. Unlike most of his music, which he produces himself, this track began with a beat by international producer B Noize. “I found this beat on YouTube, and I was like, ‘Man, this really speaks to me,’” AL99 recalls. “I just started rapping to it… and it kind of started the Y series.” The track continues a thematic exploration of the “why” behind his artistry—a series AL99 says is meant to connect listeners with purpose, introspection, and culture.
AL99’s artistry is as much about heart as it is about craft. On “WHY II,” he reflects on the delicate balance between ambition and authenticity: “I had to separate my mindset and how I’m grinding for a goal and my heart… still keep the passion of what I’m doing… it’s all still about the love.” This philosophy permeates his work, giving tracks a depth that resonates beyond the music itself.
Cultural heritage is another driving force. While not Haitian himself, AL99 draws deeply from his family’s roots. “Being around the family and speaking patois and Creole… it was always such a very spiritual, family-oriented situation,” he says. “You can manifest whatever energy you have inside you into reality. We have power in our heritages, we have power in our culture.” The influence of this lineage, coupled with his faith and personal growth, is threaded throughout Elevate, especially on tracks like “9 GOD” and “MOMMA.”
Beyond music, AL99 is an entrepreneur and a visionary. Founder of TPC Music Production, he recently signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group/Bungalo, cementing his independent grind while expanding his reach. From the early success of singles like “POP” to his ongoing rise in the Hip-Hop scene, AL99 continues to define his own path, blending artistry, business, and culture.
“WHY II” is more than a track—it’s a testament to AL99’s journey as an artist and as a person. He hopes listeners will take away the essence of authenticity and reflection that permeates his music. “I just want people to go back and listen and feel that I was always speaking what I believed,” he says. “As long as I’m doing that, I’ll be happy, and I hope people now or later on feel that too.”
With Elevate, AL99 doesn’t just make music; he offers a roadmap of introspection, resilience, and cultural pride, proving once again why fans call him “Versatile AL” and peers recognize him as “The Genius.”
About AL99
AL99, known for his versatility as a lyricist, performer, instrumentalist, and producer, is redefining the boundaries of Hip-Hop. Drawing inspiration from icons like Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, his music blends introspective lyricism, energetic performance, and cultural resonance. Founder of TPC Music Production, AL99 balances artistry and entrepreneurship, delivering music that inspires, entertains, and uplifts. With a mission to create tracks that connect deeply with listeners, AL99 continues to push Hip-Hop forward while remaining authentically himself.
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I love black. I love leather jackets, and I like having my old favorite T-shirts. I end up buying the same outfit over and over.
I was never Mr. Hardcore. When we first started playing together, there was a big trend of who can play the fastest. And it was like, “Well, I don’t want to do that.” That’s not really musical for me. It became almost a bit macho, which is something we were definitely trying to get away from.
We didn't want to be a bunch of tough guys. We would rather have bigger hearts than bigger muscles.
My dad drove a truck. He was a truck driver for Safeway, and my mother was a waitress. My dad was also a jazz drummer.
I’m one of six kids. I'm the youngest. It was loud. Everybody was funny. Everything seemed pretty much like a normal big family, whatever that means. But then that dynamic really switched when my father passed away when I was ten.
It was dark. Everyone was sort of forced into dealing with that pain. It was that ghost that was always there. It still is.
This woman named Mrs. Fiatarone taught me how to sing when I was really young, four or five. I was almost like this child lounge act. I’d sing show tunes. I would sing at veterans’ hospitals. Children’s hospitals.
I made a record when I was five. It was called “Look for Love,” and it was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. It got local radio play. That moment stuck with me my whole life. “Oh, you can make records.
I had enough of a chip on my shoulder that I wasn’t going to let anybody hold me down.
When we toured in the early days, we were staying on people’s couches. If you’re playing in places in Montana or Corpus Christi, you’re getting a real education. Life is just coming at you from town to town.
I married the right person. That’s a big deal. My wife really was smarter than I was. I was more spontaneous and wild, where she could be more practical and knew how to make plans better. But we were the right people for each other.
We got some backlash after Dookie got huge. The mistake that I probably made was taking the bait. If I would’ve known that back then, I would’ve just ignored the bullshit. But when you’re a sensitive twenty-four-year-old person, it’s difficult to just ignore things like that.
Whatever the criticisms were, though, I had enough of a chip on my shoulder that I wasn’t going to let anybody hold me down.
I'm obsessed with music. I just am. If I wasn’t in a big band, I would be working at a record store or teaching guitar lessons or doing anything to support my musical habit.
I love The Bachelor. I love watching Bachelor in Paradise. You could play a drinking game and every time they say, “Welcome to Paradise,” you drink.
The older you get as a songwriter, the more you second-guess yourself. When you’re younger, you have no audience. You say anything you want. And then suddenly you have an audience, and you want them to be stoked on what you’re doing. But at the same time, you have to challenge yourself.
I never grew up in any kind of religion. I tried to go to Sunday school, but it never really worked out.
Surfing is one thing for me that has really been kind of spiritual. When you’re out in the ocean, it’s the most powerful force in the world.
I do pray. I try and think of something out there that is a higher power, just to make sure I’m keeping my ego in check.
I don't live in Los Angeles. And when I do go to Los Angeles, you really get to know what all the perks are of being a rock star. It’s like you’re almost on someone else’s vacation.
I like being a normal person. I like being someone that just lives in a community and has good friends and strong relationships that are based on the same life experience that we’re all going through.
Then I'll play a gig in front of a hundred thousand people and I go, “Holy shit!” That doesn’t get old. It’s fun. But I don’t ever want being a rock star to be an excuse for being lazy.I was talking to someone once and they asked me, “Why are you afraid of dying?” And I said, “I’m afraid of the darkness.” And they said, “How do you know it’s dark?” And I was like, “That’s a really good question. I have no idea what it’s like.”
Sobriety is not a one-and-done kind of thing. I’ve definitely fallen off the wagon several times.
Right now I don’t drink. And I like myself. If I was to put one thing that would get in the way of everything I wanted to achieve in my life, alcohol would be it. I make no guarantees. But right now it feels better.
Punk has never been dead. It’s alive with the kids. When kids get together and want to play music together or create art or create fanzines, that’s what keeps it alive. Not what’s popular or anything like that.
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