August Alsina is a famous R&B singer who has overcome many challenges in his life. He has faced poverty, drugs, illness, and the loss of his loved ones. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of his story is the fate of his brothers, who were killed by gun violence and cancer. In this article, we will explore the tragic story of August Alsina’s brothers and how they influenced his music and his outlook on life.
Melvin La’Branch III: The Brother Who Inspired Him to Sing
August Alsina was born on September 3, 1992, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He had four siblings: three brothers named Melvin, Travis, and Jamal, and one sister named Netia. Out of the brood of five, August, Travis, Netia, and Jamal are the surviving children of the family
August Alsina’s father and stepfather were both addicted to crack cocaine, and his mother moved him to Houston, Texas, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. His father died shortly after
August Alsina was inspired to sing by Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2. He started uploading videos to YouTube in 2007, when he was 14 years old, covering songs by Lyfe Jennings and others
His older brother, Melvin La’Branch III, was his biggest supporter and encouraged him to pursue his musical dreams. Melvin was also a rapper and a mentor to August. He taught him how to write songs and how to deal with the hardships of life
However, Melvin’s life was cut short by gun violence. On August 31, 2010, he was shot and killed in New Orleans. He was only 24 years old. August Alsina was devastated by his brother’s death and became more determined to make it in the music industry. He moved to Atlanta in 2011 and released his first mixtape, The Product, in 2012
August Alsina has dedicated many of his songs to his brother, such as “Downtown”, “Benediction”, and “Song Cry”. He also has a tattoo of his brother’s face on his chest. He said in an interview, “He’s the reason why I do music. He’s the reason why I am who I am today.”
Chandra: The Sister Who Left Behind Three Daughters
August Alsina has two sisters, Netia and Chandra. His sister Chandra was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on Christmas night in 2018. She left behind three daughters, Kayden, Amaiya, and Chaylen, who were also orphaned by their father, Mel, who was killed in 2015
August Alsina was heartbroken by his sister’s death and took on the responsibility of raising her daughters. He said on Instagram, “We lost such a beautiful soul on Christmas Night To the battle with cancer. I am Utterly devastated & Deeply shattered! Not only for myself but for my 3 little nieces, who are now robbed of BOTH parents. First, they killed Mel, Now Cancer has stolen you. What is life? Why is life? Why is THIS life?”
He also said that he would do everything in his power to give his nieces a better life and to honor his sister’s legacy. He said, “I’ll be everything they need me to be and more. I’ll be sure to finish what you started. May you rest in perfect peace. I love you forever and ever.”
August Alsina has also paid tribute to his sister in his music, such as in his song “Today”, where he sings, “I know you’re watching over me / I feel you in the breeze / I know you’re proud of me / I’m everything you wanted me to be.”
The Impact of His Brothers on His Life and Music
August Alsina’s brothers have had a profound impact on his life and music. They have inspired him to overcome adversity, to pursue his passion, and to be a role model for his nieces. They have also taught him to appreciate life and to cherish every moment.
August Alsina has said that his music is a reflection of his life and his emotions. He has said, “I make music from a real place. I make music from my soul. I make music from what I go through on a day-to-day basis.”
He has also said that his music is a way of healing and coping with his pain. He has said, “Music is my therapy. It’s how I deal with everything. It’s how I express myself. It’s how I let go of things that I can’t control.”
August Alsina has faced many challenges in his life, but he has also achieved many successes. He has released three studio albums, Testimony, This Thing Called Life, and The Product III: State of Emergency, and has collaborated with artists such as Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Chris Brown, and Jada Pinkett Smith. He has also won several awards, such as the BET Award for Best New Artist in 2014 and the Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award in 2016
August Alsina’s brothers have been his motivation, his inspiration, and his angels. He has said, “I know they’re watching over me. I know they’re proud of me. I know they’re with me every step of the way.”