PVAMU Alumnus Larry Allen is a shining star in the world of entertainment

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Dec. 2, 2024) - The Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm band is fortunate to have alums who have moved on to prominent roles in the entertainment industry. From musicians and singers to dancers and comedians, the Storm has always been FULL of talent. Larry Allen is one of those talented Storm alumni. He came to Prairie View A&M in 1999 as a percussionist (snare drum). Larry quickly rose to the position of Drum Major and served as Head Drum Major from 2003-2004. During his time with the Marching Storm, he performed in many high-profile events, including the Tournament of Roses Parade. His final performance with the Storm was as Head Drum Major at Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta.

[Link]

Now known in entertainment circles as "LA" or "You.C.LA," Larry travels the world performing in events that glorify the HBCU Marching Band Experience and other musical productions. He is also an award-winning music producer for television shows, movies, concerts, and professional sporting events. A recent assignment has been as a music producer and beats maker for Clutch City Beats of Houston Rockets Entertainment.

[Link]Other accolades of note include performing with the traveling production of Drumline Live, performing with Beyoncé at Coachella, and being on her Homecoming album. Just recently, Larry created a song specifically for PVAMU Athletics called "We Want the Dub," which included an appearance by Marching Storm members.

We wanted to know how Larry's tenure as a member of the Marching Storm helped propel him to his successful career in entertainment.

What made you decide to attend PVAMU and join the Marching Storm? The first time I saw The Storm live was at the 1998 Labor Day Classic, and after the Drum Major entrance, I knew then I wanted to attend college.

How did your time at PVAM and in the Storm influence your decision to venture into entertainment? I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to The Storm for shaping my career. The thunderous roar of 72,000 fans at the Cotton Bowl ignited a fire within me to unleash the gifts God entrusted me with. The invaluable lessons in discipline and character instilled by both staff and peers have been instrumental in navigating the dynamic world of music and entertainment.

What are some of the things you learned performing with the Storm that you use today? The art of the Marching Storm's show opener, Entertainment Tonight.

Has it been easy working in this new era of entertainment (social media, influencers, etc)? There was a bit of a learning curve initially, but for the most part, I've navigated the industry's evolution effortlessly thanks to my early career and ability to stay ahead of changing trends. I didn't wait once I saw what was happening in the industry. It's important in entertainment to stay aware of what's going on and take risks if you're going to be successful. I am a risk taker by nature, so adjusting to the new reality of the entertainment business wasn't a challenge.

[Link]What are some of your most well-known entertainment accomplishments? I'm blessed to have been a recipient of the 62nd Grammy Award for recording contributions to Beyoncé's acclaimed Homecoming Album. I have production credits spanning various platforms, including Marvel, MTV, VH1, NBA, Nick Jr., and Amazon Prime. I am an Amazon Bestselling author of "The HBCU Experience." Most recently, I was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Promotional Campaign because of the work I did on the jersey reveal for the Houston Rockets. (You can take a look at Larry's Emmy-nominated promotional for the Houston Rockets HERE.)

What advice would you give young HBCU band members about transitioning to the entertainment world? Your talent will get you in the door. Your CHARACTER will keep you in the house.

What things do you have coming up that we should be on the lookout for? Stay tuned for new music in a few feature films and production work on Gucci's ads for their new handbag line. I will also be the Creative Director for Atlantic Recording Artist Bertell.

The future looks bright for Larry Allen, and we're proud that the Marching Storm was a part of that journey.

This story was originally posted on pvamu.edu/marchingstorm.

-PVAMU-