Eventually, he took to the streets, selling drugs as a means of survival.

He bounced around between family and friends houses, but on some nights, only the corner store provided him shelter. With tensions mounting, 16-year-old August was kicked out of his mother's home. As quickly as August appeared, he vanished form YouTube, back to the real world. It seemed that he was finally taking his first steps toward a bright future in music, but just a year later, reality hit home when his best friend was shot and killed in the streets of Houston. His clips covering the likes of Musiq Soulchild and Lyfe Jennings went viral, generating millions of views in just over a month. In an attempt to escape his reality, August took to YouTube, where he posted dozens of homemade performance videos.

At just 14, he got word from New Orleans that his father, August Sr., lost his battle with drugs and alcohol. For years, a young August endured a home life plagued by drugs and violence. With both his father and stepfather battling crack addiction, August's mother moved their family to Houston, Texas in search of a fresh start. His recently inked deal with Def Jam Recordings looks to be a great step in the right direction, but music wasn't always in his future.Īugust learned at an early age that drugs and money could make you, or break you. With the love and hustle of the Crescent City running through his veins, August is eager to follow in the footsteps of the NOLA music legends that paved his way. Born and bred from the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, enter into the game, 21-year-old August Alsina.

August alsina no love on you tube