Derek Luh
Derek Luh (born June 24, 1992) is an American actor and hip-hop artist born in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California.[1][2] He first entered the music industry in 2013 with an independent mixtape that established his reputation as a lyricist, later collaborating with artists including Machine Gun Kelly and signing an early recording contract as a hip-hop performer.[3][4] Luh transitioned into acting with guest appearances in series such as All Rise and Shining Vale, but achieved breakout recognition for his role as the male form of Jordan Li, a shape-shifting supe character, in the 2023 Amazon Prime Video series Gen V, a prequel spin-off to The Boys.[5][6] The character's dual-gender presentation required Luh to share the part with co-star London Thor, who portrayed the female form, contributing to the series' exploration of supe abilities and campus dynamics at Godolkin University.[7] His performance in Gen V has been noted for physical demands including fight choreography, amid the show's reception for escalating the franchise's satirical take on superhero tropes.[8] Beyond entertainment, Luh has expressed concerns about artificial intelligence's potential to displace creative jobs in acting and music, aligning with industry discussions on technological impacts during Gen V's production.[9] While some viewer feedback has critiqued aspects of his on-screen delivery in the series, his casting has highlighted representation in roles involving fluid identities without major public disputes.[10]Early life
Family background and ethnicity
Derek Luh was born on June 24, 1992, in Valencia, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He grew up in the region with limited public details about his immediate family dynamics, though his mother has been described as a music enthusiast who encouraged his early creative pursuits. His father, Danny Luh, died suddenly in January 2018, leaving Derek and his sister to handle funeral arrangements, as documented in a family-organized fundraiser. Luh has one sibling, a sister named Delaney. Luh's ethnicity is mixed, reflecting a combination of European, East Asian, and Indigenous American ancestries. In a December 2017 appearance on the Sidewalk Talks podcast, he stated that he is of Chinese, Irish, Native American, Scottish, and Italian descent, identifying specifically as a quarter Chinese. He elaborated that his father's heritage includes Chinese, Irish, and Italian elements, while his mother's includes Native American, Irish, and Scottish. These self-reported details remain the primary verifiable account, with no contradictory primary evidence from family records or official biographies emerging since.Education and formative influences
Luh attended high school and college but characterized himself as a disengaged student who frequently skipped classes, stating in a 2023 interview, "I was the opposite of Jordan [his Gen V character]. I didn't even show up... I was a bad student."[11] No specific educational institutions or degrees are documented in public records or interviews. His formative influences centered on music exposure from family members rather than formal schooling. Luh's mother, an avid music enthusiast, introduced him to a diverse collection including country artists Shania Twain and Alan Jackson alongside the R&B group TLC, fostering an early appreciation for varied genres.[12] His uncle further shaped his tastes by playing hip-hop and rock acts such as Jay-Z, Eminem, and Rage Against the Machine, which directly inspired Luh's pivot toward rap songwriting and performance.[12] These musical encounters occurred against a backdrop of familial expectations for conventional paths; Luh's mother urged college attendance, while his grandparents advocated for a medical career, reflecting traditional values in his mixed-heritage household.[12] Luh rejected these pressures, prioritizing self-directed artistic pursuits from adolescence, which laid the groundwork for his independent music releases by age 20.[13]Music career
Entry into rap and independent releases
Derek Luh initiated his rap career in 2013 by self-producing music and releasing his debut mixtape, L.A. Confidential, on December 27, 2013.[6][14] The project, comprising 13 tracks with a runtime of 40 minutes and 59 seconds, highlighted his affinity for intricate lyricism and rhythmic delivery, earning early recognition from hip-hop platforms for its raw, street-oriented content.[15][16] Operating as an independent artist without major label backing, Luh managed production, distribution, and promotion autonomously, aligning with his emphasis on authentic self-expression over commercial constraints.[13] He signed as the inaugural artist to rapper Mark Battles' independent imprint Fly America around this period, which facilitated mixtape circulation via platforms like DatPiff but preserved his creative control.[12] Subsequent independent singles reinforced his emerging style, blending introspective themes with West Coast influences; notable releases included "Lonely Road," produced by J. Cuse and uploaded on March 11, 2015, and "It's Luh," which gained traction via a music video premiere on October 22, 2015.[17][18] These tracks, distributed through digital channels and SoundCloud, amassed thousands of streams and views, signaling Luh's grassroots buildup in the competitive rap landscape prior to broader collaborations.[19]Key collaborations and stylistic development
Luh's early collaborations in the mid-2010s emphasized trap-influenced hip-hop and cypher-style freestyles, partnering with underground rappers to build his profile. In 2016, he released "Blow It Out" featuring Dizzy Wright, a track produced by Lou Koo that highlighted Luh's agile flow over booming bass and melodic hooks, marking an initial shift toward blending rap with accessible, radio-friendly elements.[20] Similar partnerships included a 2014 cypher with Mark Battles, Dizzy Wright, Euroz, Cory Gunz, Emilio Rojas, and Chris Webby, which showcased his battle-rap precision and lyrical dexterity in a competitive format typical of SoundCloud-era mixtape culture.[21] By the late 2010s, Luh expanded into more melodic and feature-heavy work, collaborating frequently with producer SK8 on tracks like "Eyes Low," "Money," "Real Now," and "No Time," which incorporated smoother R&B cadences and introspective themes over trap beats, reflecting a maturation from raw aggression to emotive storytelling.[22] He also linked with established names such as French Montana and Wale for features, alongside touring with Machine Gun Kelly around 2018-2019, exposing him to pop-rap production techniques that influenced his vocal layering and genre fusion.[23][24] These alliances, often self-released via platforms like SoundCloud and independent labels, helped Luh refine a hybrid style, moving beyond straight lyricism toward incorporating singing, as evident in his 2019 single "Jerry Maguire," which prioritized vocal melody over dense bars.[25] Stylistic evolution accelerated in the 2020s with the EP Socks & Slides (released December 2020), where Luh experimented with funk-infused guitars, disco rhythms, and heavy hip-hop percussion, demonstrating versatility that diverged from his trap roots toward retro-modern production.[24] This period aligned with collaborations like "The Fortunate Few" featuring SK8, emphasizing polished hooks and thematic depth on ambition and isolation, solidifying Luh's transition to a multifaceted sound that balanced commercial appeal with personal narrative without relying on major-label polish.[26] Overall, these partnerships underscore a progression from freestyle-heavy origins to a singer-rapper hybrid, driven by independent experimentation rather than trend-chasing.[22]Challenges and artistic maturation
Luh encountered substantial hurdles in the music industry as an independent artist, particularly the financial strain of self-funding projects and generating sustainable revenue, which prompted him to launch his own imprint, Low Sodium Records, in 2019.[27] These logistical challenges were compounded by interpersonal difficulties, including encounters with negative influences during tours—such as his stint opening for Machine Gun Kelly—and broader industry pressures that led him into personal "dark places" around 2017, where he reevaluated his lifestyle and creative output.[28][29] Such adversities, alongside familial expectations favoring conventional paths like college over music, tested his resolve but fostered resilience; Luh balanced these by investing tour earnings directly back into studio work and prioritizing authentic storytelling over commercial shortcuts.[13] His commitment to iteration—rewriting verses multiple times and re-recording tracks, as with the 2017 single "Grow Up"—reflected a maturing discipline, shifting from initial boom bap hip-hop roots to more introspective, experience-driven narratives.[13] This period of trial informed artistic evolution evident in subsequent releases, such as the 2019 single "Jerry Maguire," which emphasized vocal prowess and deviated from prior rap-heavy styles, signaling expanded singing capabilities.[25] By the 2020 EP Socks & Slides, Luh demonstrated heightened versatility, incorporating funk and disco elements with live instrumentation, hip-hop drums, and refined melodies—influenced by acts like Sublime—alongside improved beat curation and vocal delivery honed through producer collaborations.[24] Personal milestones, including achieving nine years of sobriety by September 2025 after earlier substance-related struggles, further underpinned this growth, enabling sustained creative independence without reliance on major labels.[30]Acting career
Shift to acting and initial roles
Luh, who had been active in the hip-hop scene since releasing his debut mixtape L.A. Story in 2013, began pivoting toward acting in the late 2010s after music opportunities plateaued.[31] In interviews, he described the shift as opportunistic rather than premeditated, stating that "acting really fell into my lap" following years focused on recording and performing.[31] This transition aligned with a broader creative evolution, leveraging his performance experience from music—such as rhythm, timing, and audience engagement—into on-screen work, though he noted initial challenges like self-doubt and fear of failure during early auditions.[32] His acting debut came in 2019 with a guest role as Brayden in the Hulu series Marvel's Runaways, appearing in the season 3 finale episode "Cheat the Gallows," which aired on December 13. That same year, Luh secured another guest spot as Jack Allen in the CBS legal drama All Rise, contributing to his building television presence through brief but character-driven parts.[33] These early appearances were primarily one-off or limited engagements, allowing him to test the medium without long-term commitments while continuing music pursuits sporadically. By 2022, Luh expanded into recurring roles, portraying Ryan He, the son of the protagonist, across multiple episodes of Starz's horror-comedy Shining Vale in its first season, which premiered on March 6.[33] This part marked a step up in visibility, involving deeper family dynamics and supernatural elements, and helped solidify his footing in genre television ahead of larger projects.[3] Throughout this period, Luh immersed himself in acting training and craft study, crediting the unpredictability of early gigs for fostering resilience in an industry known for its competitive audition process.[32]Breakthrough with Gen V
Derek Luh was cast in May 2022 as the male form of Jordan Li, a Godolkin University student and supe with the ability to shift between male and female physical forms, in the Amazon Prime Video series Gen V, a spin-off of The Boys.[34] The character, portrayed in tandem with London Thor as the female form, requires precise coordination between actors to depict seamless transitions, emphasizing Jordan's strategic combat abilities and internal conflicts over identity and performance under pressure.[35] Luh has described the role as demanding physical training for fight scenes, including a notable cage match in season 2, which highlighted Jordan's tactical prowess and vulnerabilities.[36] Gen V premiered on September 29, 2023, marking Luh's most prominent acting role to date and transitioning him from independent rap releases to high-profile television.[37] The series' first season received positive critical reception for its satirical take on superhero academia, with Luh's portrayal contributing to the ensemble's acclaim for blending action, humor, and character depth.[36] His performance as the male Jordan, often in high-stakes scenarios involving moral dilemmas and supe rivalries, showcased a shift toward more nuanced acting compared to his earlier minor roles, earning him increased visibility in the industry.[38] The role's significance extended into season 2, which premiered on September 17, 2025, where Luh explored Jordan's evolving fears, romantic tensions—such as with Marie Moreau—and challenges to traditional masculinity tropes amid escalating campus chaos.[39] Luh noted in interviews that the character's arc allowed for deeper emotional layers, including sobriety parallels to his personal life, solidifying Gen V as a career pivot that broadened his opportunities beyond music.[36] This breakthrough positioned him for potential expansions in the The Boys universe, with the season 2 finale on October 22, 2025, integrating crossovers that amplified the series' narrative stakes.[40]Ongoing projects and versatility
As of October 2025, Luh's primary ongoing project is the second season of Gen V, the Amazon Prime Video spin-off of The Boys, where he reprises his role as Jordan Li, a supe with the ability to shift between male and female forms.[36][41] The season premiered on September 17, 2025, featuring intensified action sequences, including a cage match between Jordan and Marie Moreau, and explores themes of identity and power dynamics at Godolkin University.[42] Luh has highlighted the physical and emotional demands of the role, noting in interviews that it challenges traditional notions of masculinity through Jordan's fluid presentation, a performance element he prepared for by studying movement and voice modulation.[36][43] Luh's versatility is evident in his successful pivot from independent rap releases in the late 2010s to acting, with no new music projects announced since his 2020 EP Socks & Slides.[32] This transition underscores his adaptability, as he has balanced lyrical introspection in tracks like "Higher" and "Let Me Live" with on-screen charisma in genre-blending superhero narratives.[44] In Gen V, his portrayal requires seamless embodiment of contrasting genders—drawing on collaboration with co-star London Thor for coordinated physicality—demonstrating technical range beyond his musical roots.[45] Luh has expressed ambition for further expansion into comic book adaptations, publicly stating interest in playing Dick Grayson/Nightwing in the DC Universe, citing the character's acrobatic and vigilante elements as aligning with his stunt training from Gen V.[46][47] No additional acting roles or music endeavors have been confirmed beyond Gen V Season 2 as of late 2025.[11]Discography
Albums
Derek Luh's early albums consist primarily of independent mixtapes and digital releases in the hip-hop genre, often distributed via platforms like DatPiff and streaming services.[48] His debut, L.A. Confidential, was released on December 27, 2013, as a mixtape featuring collaborations with artists such as Mark Battles and Lola Monroe.[48] In 2015, Luh issued multiple projects, including The Second Coming on March 2, a 15-track digital album self-released under Fly America with no major label backing.[49] Hollywood Blvd., a seven-track effort, followed on September 4, emphasizing themes of Los Angeles street life and personal ambition through independent digital distribution.[50] That same year, he collaborated with SK8 on The Fortunate Few, a joint album blending their styles in raw, introspective rap.[48] Later releases include Socks & Slides on December 4, 2020, a nine-track album available on streaming platforms, marking a shift toward more polished production while remaining self-released. These works reflect Luh's independent trajectory, with no evidence of major label deals, focusing on digital formats and limited physical availability.[51]| Title | Release Date | Tracks | Format/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L.A. Confidential | December 27, 2013 | Unknown | Mixtape via DatPiff[48] |
| The Second Coming | March 2, 2015 | 15 | Digital MP3, self-released[49] |
| Hollywood Blvd. | September 4, 2015 | 7 | Digital, independent[50] |
| The Fortunate Few (with SK8) | 2015 | 7 | Collaborative digital album[48] |
| Socks & Slides | December 4, 2020 | 9 | Streaming album |
EPs
Disposable Hero, Luh's debut extended play, was released on January 6, 2017, and features four tracks that emphasize his lyrical style and personal narratives. The EP includes songs such as "Nice to Meet Ya" and reflects his early independent rap influences. For Your Consideration, released later in 2017, serves as a follow-up EP showcasing stylistic experimentation within hip-hop, with tracks highlighting introspective themes and production versatility.[52] Socks & Slides, released on December 4, 2020, via Low Sodium Records, comprises seven tracks blending hip-hop roots with funk, disco elements, and R&B influences to explore relationships and self-reflection. Key singles from the EP include "Jerry Maguire" and "Hoodie," released in 2019, with the project totaling 20 minutes and demonstrating Luh's broadening musical range after years focused on rap.[53][54]Singles
Derek Luh's singles career began with independent releases emphasizing personal struggles and street life themes. "Hustle Back," released in 2015, marked an early standalone effort produced amid his mixtape era.[55] In 2016, he issued "Bad Boy," a track critiquing police brutality through raw lyricism, distributed as a single on platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music.[56] Later that year, "Now You Know" followed as another single, showcasing his evolving flow and introspection.[57] The 2017 single "Grow Up" reflected maturation themes, released independently and available on major streaming services.[58][57] By 2018, "Get By" emerged as a motivational track with an official video, highlighting resilience amid career transitions.[55][59] Luh's 2019 output included "Jerry Maguire," an upbeat, summer-oriented single noted for its catchy vibe and stylistic shift toward accessibility.[25][60] "Hoodie," also from 2019, featured a music video and preceded his EP Socks & Slides, blending melodic elements with hip-hop roots.[55][61]| Title | Release Year |
|---|---|
| Hustle Back | 2015 |
| Bad Boy | 2016 |
| Now You Know | 2016 |
| Grow Up | 2017 |
| Get By | 2018 |
| Jerry Maguire | 2019 |
| Hoodie | 2019 |