ELBA, Ala. (WDHN) -- A local musician hopes to inspire the youth as well as others in his community through his music.

"My music is to inspire, to touch people,
to show them that there's hope. They have a chance to make it out of whatever
situation they're in."

Elba native, Lonzo Cooks, known as "Young
Zoe," came from tough beginnings and is inspiring those dealing
with similar struggles to go after their dreams.

Cooks writes his own music
and has been performing as a career for the past five years.

His passion for music began at a young age as
a choir member at Rocky Head Missionary Baptist Church. He has been inspiring
others ever since.

"My Mother, she took us to church to
learn more about God and I started interacting and singing and got a passion
for music then," said Cooks.

"I saw him and I was like I want to shoot
a video because I saw him shooting a video. Then I got older and started getting
into the studio and began making music like that," said inspired musician
Tony Daniels, known as "Lil Neil."
 
Urban rap, inspirational, and Christian rap are just some of the many
genre's his music consists of.

"Hearing my song could touch you or make
you feel better about your day and show that you're not the only one in life
going through the same thing," said Cooks. "If I can put my
voice into music to make a difference that's what I'm going to do."

"Where we're from, there isn't too many
options. You either go to school or work or try to find something to do,"
said Daniels.

Young Zoe's path has not always been smooth,
but he says he wants to share his story, proving to others there is a way out.

"I was once there," said Cooks.
"I changed my life around. I'm trying to good. I haven't always been a
saint. Nobody is perfect. You could be bad, do bad, but you can still change
your life," said Cooks.

Zoe says he'll continue inspiring others but
says it's important to never forget where you come from.

"I can feed my family and make a way for
the people in my city too," said Daniels.

"My goal is to raise money for my community, turkey drives, and toy drives. No matter what I do or where I go I'm still going to make a difference at home," said Cooks.
Follow Young Zoe
https://twitter.com/darealyoungzoe

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