Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jesse Luketa, aka Lu breaks down how criticism LeBron James notoriously acquired in 2018 motivated him to grab management of his desires to turn into a musician.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jesse Luketa, aka Lu, aspired to be a musician lengthy earlier than his NFL profession took off, nevertheless, it was the plight of NBA veteran LeBron James that partially motivated him to make his desires a actuality.
In February 2018, conservative pundit Laura Ingraham criticized LeBron James after he shared his views on politics and social points in an interview with Uninterrupted. Ingraham dismissed his commentary by telling him to “shut up and dribble” throughout a phase on The Ingraham Angle. Her remarks sparked widespread backlash, with many viewing them as dismissive and racially charged.
In response, LeBron embraced the phrase as a rallying cry, later turning it right into a documentary sequence titled Shut Up and Dribble in November 2018, highlighting the intersection of sports activities and activism. Although Luketa wasn’t drafted by the NFL till 4 years later in 2022, the phrases Ingraham uttered despite LeBron’s activism remained burned into his psyche.
“The narrative of ‘shut up and dribble’ is one I’ve fought internally for a really very long time,” Luketa stated. “I need my viewers to understand how passionate I’m about chasing my wildest desires. You possibly can’t let one other individual let you know, your desires are too far unattainable.”
Now, in 2025, the discharge of his debut Afro Beats single, “FEVA” marks the daybreak of a brand new chapter in Luketa’s life the place he’s reworked into Lu—the fearless artist he’s dreamed of changing into as a baby.
“Taking part in on the highest stage of soccer has been my dream since I used to be 7, however the one factor I’ve cherished simply as a lot since that point is music,” he shares.
Initially hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Lu brings a novel mix of cultural influences to his music, by the use of his various background. Along with taking real-world inspiration from the likes of LeBron, Lu attracts inspiration from various set of musicial influences comparable to JB Mpiana, Bob Marley, Burna Boy, and Drake. His distinct sound, drawing inspiration from English and French-speaking artists, in addition to Congolese artists, units the stage for a way he approached “FEVA.”
“It’s actual, relatable, and, above all, a catchy vibe,” he stated.
Along with incomes co-sign’s from established artists comparable to his fellow Canadian native Stomach and New York Hip-Hop veteran Maino, Lu is shortly incomes stripes of his personal in 2025 amid the discharge of his new undertaking Gold Linen.
