Alissia:The Future Queen of Funk, Bass Virtuoso & Grammy-Nominated Producer. #61
Today’s guest is the incredible, Alissia, Known for her dazzling work on bass, innovative production chops, and, as of this year, a Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year. From her early YouTube days to deep collaborations with legends like Bootsy Collins, Anderson .Paak, and Prince, Alissia’s journey is an uplifting masterclass for aspiring musicians, producers, and creatives everywhere.
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About the Guest: Alissia
Alissia is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, and songwriter whose meteoric rise in the world of funk, R&B, and pop has caught the attention of musical royalty as well as the next generation of artists. Originally gaining notoriety through bass cover videos online, she quickly showed she was much more than just a viral sensation. Her deep musical knowledge, coupled with a relentless work ethic, led to collaborations with icons such as Bootsy Collins and Prince—even before she’d finished her studies at Berklee College of Music. Now, as a Grammy nominee and executive producer, Alissia is shaping the sound of modern funk, R&B, and pop.
Rising Star: From YouTube Covers to Prince’s DMs
Early in the episode, Alissia and Elmo reflect on just how inspiring Alissia’s rapid progress on the bass was. She started only a few years before her breakout online videos. Her obsessive study of the great funk and soul bass players—Bootsy Collins, Paul Jackson, Larry Graham, James Jamerson, Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards—laid the foundation for her distinctive sound.
But it wasn’t just online fans who noticed. After her Berklee big band video and viral bass covers, none other than Prince and Bootsy Collins reached out personally, each finding her through social media. Prince even sent a Twitter DM (“I didn’t believe it was him at first!”) and nearly flew her out to Paisley Park, and Bootsy would later become a mentor, creative partner, and close friend.
Meeting Legends: Close Encounters with Prince & Bootsy Collins
Alissia’s story about connecting with Prince is full of both surreal excitement and bittersweet moments. She recounts how Prince’s management wanted her to fly out for a meeting almost immediately. When she couldn’t make it due to a prior commitment, she worried she’d missed her chance, even going so far as to send a formal letter to Paisley Park, only to have Prince’s team reach out again later. Tragically, before they could properly meet in the studio, Prince passed away. Still, his encouragement and validation left a lasting mark on Alissia’s career.
In contrast, Alissia’s relationship with Bootsy Collins blossomed into an enduring mentorship. Not only did Bootsy reach out after seeing her videos, but he also enlisted Alissia as executive producer for his star-studded album—with Alissia playing, arranging, and producing much of the record. She describes surreal moments like being pulled onto the late-night stage with Bootsy, Bernie Worrell, and George Clinton for an impromptu performance with only minutes’ notice. Bootsy even gave her the nickname “Baby Zilla”—a nod to his own Bootzilla persona.
Behind the Scenes: Songcraft, Production, and Relentless Learning
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is Alissia’s deep dive into her approach as a producer. She’s not just a bassist; she writes, arranges, and often plays nearly every instrument on her productions, including drums, strings, and keys. She’s committed to understanding every aspect of studio work, from engineering to vocal production, and her appetite for learning is central to her success.
Her study of Quincy Jones is especially influential—both for his versatility and his mastery of arrangements and working with live musicians in the studio. Alissia emphasizes how “endless” the learning process is in music and how important it is to keep live musicianship and creativity at the center of production, even as technology shapes modern sounds.
Collaborations with Anderson .Paak & Modern Superstars
A key thread in Alissia’s recent work is her close creative partnership with Anderson .Paak, whom she describes as “effortlessly cool” and a champion for her talent. Anderson has brought Alissia into a wide array of projects, including with Kaytranada, Mary J. Blige, and many more. Their working dynamic is flexible—sometimes formal studio sessions, other times running into each other at dinner and ending up working through the night on music with stars like Snoop Dogg.
Her late-night creative flow, willingness to “shoot your shot,” and routine for balancing intense studio work with self-care all come to the fore as key ingredients in her personal and professional life.
Opening Doors for Women in Music
One of the most powerful notes in the episode is the significance of Alissia’s Grammy nomination as a woman in a category historically dominated by men—she is only the ninth woman to be nominated as Producer of the Year. She shares how the nomination has been an inspiration not just for herself, but for women and girls watching her journey, receiving messages from young aspiring producers and bassists energized by her example.
Victoria emphasizes the importance of increasing visibility and opportunity for women in studios, behind consoles, and on records—Alissia is a living testament that it’s possible, and she’s determined to use her platform to inspire others.
Creative Community: Boogie Nights and Building Safe Spaces
Beyond the studio, Alissia is also committed to fostering community with her event-series “Boogie Nights”—a curated party for artists, musicians, DJs, and creatives to meet, connect, and celebrate new music. Borrowing inspiration from iconic scenes like Studio 54, she’s created inclusive, fun, and artistic spaces, with live performances from new artists and DJ sets that blend live instrumentation.
Looking Ahead: Alissia’s Own Project – The Next Funk Queen?
Perhaps the most exciting scoop in the episode is that Alissia is quietly preparing to launch her own artist project. Victoria, having heard some of the unreleased tracks, gushes about how “insane” the music is and how it will propel Alissia to a whole new level when it’s released.
Alissia, ever the perfectionist and student of Quincy Jones, hints at fresh elements and new directions, promising a body of work that merges funk, pop, disco, and her own unique sensibilities.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Go With Elmo is a testament to the power of focused obsession, mentorship, and following your creative instincts. Alissia’s story is still unfolding, but her impact is already profound—from viral bass covers to Grammy nominations, from late-night jam sessions with Anderson .Paak to executive producing Bootsy Collins, to inspiring the next generation of women in music. Keep your eyes—and ears—on Baby Zilla: the future queen of funk has only just begun.
Catch the full episode for stories, laughter, and even more insights into Alissia’s musical universe, her creative rituals, collaborations, and the electric journey that’s taken her from bedroom practice to center stage.
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