My greatest muse, friend and schoolmate Arlon is back at it again with yet another concept for me to bring to life. This time accompanied by his nephew and Godson, who is making his model debut! These photos inspired me to discuss family life and the future for Arlon. Full gallery for these vibrant photos are here.
You and I have been creating together for quite a while, so we’re familiar. But in the readers case, I want to introduce you to those that aren’t familiar. What do the people know you as and what do you love to do?
Well for starters, thank you for having me be apart of this! And for those who may not be familiar, people know me as a singer, writer, producer, dancer, choreographer, creative & video director, and much more depending on the interaction (lol) but I love to create music and dance visuals. I also love to show artistic expression through fashion and other areas of entertainment.
So you recently started your own dance company. First I would like to say congratulations! I’m so excited to see all your ideas come to life. How does it feel to be building an empire from the ground up?
Thank you! Yes it feels great because I get to do it with amazing people I’ve been knowing for years and some new amazing and dope dancers that just came on board. It’s a lot of work but having that team that’s just as talented, creative, and resourceful is important. The beginning process of anything new can be a trip but the journey is what I’m looking forward to the most because it’s what builds that empire to a solid place.
How did your passions for dance start? Where did you envision yourself as a dancer when you were younger?
My introduction to dance was from my brother. He was my first dance teacher (lmao) he was a fan of the Breakin movie and he would teach me the moves he would learn from Turbo and the other dancers in the movie, or what other moves he’d see from dance battles he witnessed. And plus being at family gatherings and it being more a fun and free thing with people you love.
My passion began to grow for it once I discovered music videos on BET & MTV. Theres a list of artist who inspired that passion but particularly Missy Elliots videos did because she brought a world that you never saw before that was so quirky, rare, and unique, but so cool and dope at the same time, which is very hard to do. I would learn step for step and consume myself into her world as a fan and student. So of course when I was younger I saw myself dancing background for Missy or being one of the kids in her videos. I was lucky to be able to witness that era where there were high octane dance numbers in videos. You would be able to learn a full on choreographed dance number just watching the video or the making of the video, verses a few moves for a seconds in today’s fast consumption of everything.
What are you looking forward to sharing with us this year? Are you focusing on your dance company Gold Mynd or is there more focus on your music, or both?!
EVERYTHING! I’m finally letting go of the “chasing the dream” mindset and I’m more in a “attract the dream” mindset these days. So I’m looking forward to sharing art that’s going to create more conversation and cement what I do into culture to some degree, with the amazingly talented people I know in music, or with Goldmynd and any other areas of art/entertainment that I’m involved in. What I do is bigger than me so I can’t do it alone. My dream coming true is also many others dreams coming true as well. But I’m most excited to show more of the fashion side because that’s something I’ve neglected for so long and it’s time to change that!
So you gave your nephew/god son his debut in these photos we took. Is he like the child you never had?
You can say that to a degree! My brother already has 3 kids so when he had my nephew and he started being around me more, I just grew this love for him in a way that feels like a father or something of that nature. I love kids and I want some kids eventually. For now I can live vicariously through my brother and nephew.
What has your nephew taught you when it comes to parenting? Or even just in general?
My nephew has taught me patience and censorship! Because with kids you have to be patient and allow them time/space to be a kid and grow into who they are. This may be cliche but as far as censorship, you have to watch what you say cause he will repeat it verbatim. We all know this but that kid is different man! He so hilarious but you gotta love it!
So are you looking forward to having children of your own? Would you consider yourself a family man?
Yes I’m very family oriented and I plan on having some kids in the future! I’d definitely consider myself a family man! But due to my busy career I don’t plan on having kids anytime soon.
Would you consider that your god son is practice for when you start your own family? No pressure now but with the help of your nephew, how ready do you think you are to raise your own kids or are you more focused on your career these days?
Yes he’s definitely good practice but these days I’m a bit more focused on my career than kids.
Finally, can you tell us what’s in store for the future?
What you can look forward to from me is more new music, new dance competitions, performances, and visuals with Goldmynd. Me taking my overall artistic expression to new heights! I also plan on diving into the fashion/modeling world and have been experimenting more with those layers. And none these new things would be possible without the help from the many dope creatives and peers that I would consider a strong/solid team of individuals!
Listen to Arlon’s newest project Rhythm and Broward. For your viewing pleasure GoldMynd Youtube channel and Instagram