A Star at SIFF: Alan Z on I Love Boosters, Creative Rebirth, and What Comes Next

By Linda Lowry- Social in Seattle

Alan Z is having a moment, the kind you can feel building long before it hits the mainstream. His rise hasn’t been about hype cycles or overnight virality; it’s been shaped by years of reinvention, cultural fluency, and a fearless approach to creative risk. Many first discovered him as a razor-sharp lyricist with a global fanbase built on genre-blending tracks, anime-inspired anthems, and high-energy festival sets that cemented him as a standout voice in Asian American hip-hop.

In 2024, Alan entered a new phase of his career with his first major acting role in Boots Riley’s surrealist sci-fi satire I Love Boosters, a film that defies easy categorization. It’s part political comedy, part anti-capitalist fever dream, and unmistakably Boots Riley. The film premiered to packed houses at SXSW and SIFF, where I first met Alan on the red carpet. Amid the flashbulbs, fans, and Riley’s signature maximalist chaos, Alan carried himself with grounded curiosity, like someone aware he was stepping into something bigger.

In the film, he plays Li Pan, a character whose quiet intensity becomes a moral anchor in Riley’s teleportation-laced universe. Li Pan is the cousin of Jianhu, a factory worker in China who exposes the exploitative labor practices behind the Metro Designers fashion empire. Through Li Pan, the audience sees the human cost of the Velvet Gang’s shoplifting rebellion, and Alan brings a sincerity to the role that cuts through the film’s surrealism. His performance is understated but essential, connecting the Bay Area absurdity of the story to its global stakes.

For Alan, acting wasn’t a departure from music, it was a way back to it. He talks openly about burnout, creative rebirth, and how stepping into Li Pan’s world helped him reconnect with storytelling in a deeper, more intentional way. That blend of precision, emotional honesty, and cultural awareness is exactly what makes him compelling across every medium he touches.

SMB: You appear in Boots Riley’s new film, I Love Boosters. How did this opportunity come to you, and what drew you to the project?

Alan Z: I’ve been a fan of Boots Riley since Sorry to Bother You. When I watched that movie in theaters, it reshaped my perspective on filmmaking, and I told myself I would work with him one day. So, when my agent sent me the audition, and I saw that Boots was directing it, I took it as a sign and jumped on the opportunity. When I got the role, I was thrilled to learn that I had been handpicked by Boots to play Li Pan, the cousin of Jianhu, played by Poppy Liu.

SMB: Boots Riley is known for bold, imaginative storytelling. What was it like working under his direction, and how did his creative style influence your performance?

Alan Z: I was very observant and attentive on set, so I studied how detailed Boots was with every setup. I immersed myself in his world of maximalism and sci-fi absurdism, as did the rest of the cast and crew, so it was easy to follow his direction.

SMB: Many people know you primarily for your music. How did stepping into an acting role challenge or expand you creatively?

Alan Z: While I Love Boosters was my first major role, I’ve been acting professionally for a couple of years. You can see me in short films and indie movies like Traction Park Massacre. Truthfully, acting has become my primary passion and focus, but I’ll always make music and go on tour. Before I pivoted into acting, I was feeling burnt out as an artist and traumatized by the music industry. Then acting made my music better. I’m now making the best songs of my life, and it rekindles the fire in me when I go on tour.

SMB: What aspects of your character, Li Pan, resonated with you personally, and how did you prepare for the role?

Alan Z: Like Li Pan, I’m family-oriented, but that’s where our similarities end. I worked with a dialect coach to develop an authentic Mandarin accent. To build the character, I imagined what my life might have been like if I had never come to America. In that sense, Li Pan is more innocent and carefree. Like every character I play, I try to understand and care for him so I can bring those qualities to life on screen.

SMB: The film blends social commentary with surreal, high-energy visuals. How did you approach performing in such a stylistically unique world?

Alan Z: I loved that we were bringing maximalism and color back into cinema. Stylistically, people will draw similarities to Everything Everywhere All At Once, and rightfully so, Shirley Kurata, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design on EEAO, was our costume designer too. So, I just stay grounded in my performance, making sure that no matter how absurd or fantastical the universe gets, everything around me still feels real and grounded in truth.

SMB: Your performances span festivals, pop-culture conventions, and international stages. How do you adapt your energy and setlist for such different audiences?

Alan Z: I curate my setlist for different types of audiences, but my signature sound stays consistent. For pop-culture conventions, I have songs like Demon Slayer and Phantom Troupe that resonate with anime-loving crowds. For festivals, I bring high-energy tracks like V for Vendetta, Wee Bey, and Bright Lights. And for international stages where English isn’t the primary language, I sing melodic ballads like Web and Star-Crossed.

SMB: You blend hip-hop, pop, and Asian cultural influences in a way that feels both modern and personal. What experiences shaped your artistic identity?

Alan Z: I’m a rap nerd, so I’m a walking encyclopedia of real hip-hop and lyricism. I’m also huge on TV, film, and pop culture, which shows in the references I use in my songs. That’s why it’s fun for me to draw from meta humor and “the times” and turn them into metaphors, punchlines, and analogies. And I think it’s important to incorporate AAPI identity in my work.

SMB: Your live shows, from the Atlanta Korean Festival to MomoCon to NOLA Nite Market, have a powerful connection with the crowd. What do you hope people feel when they see you perform?

Alan Z: I want people to connect with the songs enough to add them to their daily playlists afterward. I love making new fans and seeing the excitement of them discovering my music for the first time, especially live. Performances are such an important part of my work because they’re a way to communicate with the masses at once.

SMB: You’ve built a strong presence across Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and social platforms. How do you approach storytelling differently in your music versus your visual content?

Alan Z: Acting and filmmaking are the ultimate forms of storytelling. Since music is just audio, I sometimes feel limited by the format. But as an actor, you allow your audience to tap into a wider range of sensory components. If you can make them invest in your character, they can laugh, cry, and fall in love by living vicariously through your role.

SMB: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in the next year?

Alan Z: I’m finishing up my solo album, a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. I’m also working on a joint boom-bap album with DJ Rhettmatic. I’ve got shows lined up, including MomoCon, UCA Convention in Las Vegas, and international dates TBA. And of course, look for me on your screen, I’ll be doing more acting. The best way to

keep up with me is on social media @AlanZmusic, and you can find my music under Alan Z on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

What comes next for Alan Z feels like the start of a horizon opening, bright, bold, and entirely his own, and you can follow every step of that journey on Instagram and TikTok at @AlanZmusic, and on YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, IMDb, and Cameo under Alan Z.

Instagram: @AlanZmusic

TikTok: @AlanZmusic

YouTube: Alan Z

Spotify: Alan Z

Facebook: Alan Z

IMDb: Alan Z

Cameo: Alan Z