While many young Zydeco musicians are blending contemporary sounds like R&B and hip hop with the old school style of the genre, bandleader Lil Wayne Singleton stands proudly on the side of tradition. In addition to being the bandleader of busy Southwest Louisiana group Same Ol’ 2 Step, Singleton is an enthusiastic advocate for the culture’s heritage and importance. He is featured in a 2009 documentary by Tom Uhl called Zydeco Breakfast where he talks about how sharing the Zydeco link of his family members with new generations is, to him, the most important part of being a musician.
Between recording (his band has four albums), playing shows (including a five-day Zydeco cruise residency coming up in January) and getting crowds on their feet, Singleton also visits schools to share his experience as a young musician who first began playing when he was just seven years old. Singleton tells the students that being a musician is not all fun and games – it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences.
Same Ol’ 2 Step is currently back in the studio to record a follow-up record to 2011’s I Bring It!. Watch the band perform “Motor Dude Special” below.