Everything Arlon

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

Bulletproofsole

Long time friend of mine Alix, who you may better know as producer and engineer Bulletproofsole reconnected with me for his photo needs. Lets hear what he has to say about his musical influences, creative process, growing up and where he plans to take his production career. Full gallery here.

Thanks for taking the time out to chat with me. I’d like to start by introducing you to the readers who are unfamiliar. Can we start with who you are and where you’re from?

My name’s bulletproofsole and I’m from Gonaive Haiti/ South Florida 

So how did the name BulletproofSole come about?

People used to call me Sole in high school because I loved soul records then I came across a Sade song named bullet proof soul, switched the sole and boom

Most people know you for your production talents is that correct? What motivated you to start this journey?

My parents used to play various old French songs growing up around the house when I was a toddler that stuck with me, then I heard one of those record samples and it was instant nostalgia. I wanted to find out how to do that 

What did you listen to growing up that influenced you today? Do these musicians remain your favorite today?

I used to listen to a lot of Kanye, Pharrell, 9th wonder, Sade, Erykah Badu, a lot of neo soul, a lot of old funk records, and a lot of Haitian bands from back in the day 

What project of yours are you most proud of? Why?

Hmmmmm I don’t think I’ve created that project yet so I’ll have to get back to you on that one .. 

Most artists can spend forever working on a piece trying to make it perfect. How do you know when a track is truly finished?

I know a track is finished if It plays back in my head as is.. But to me a track is never finished, something always can be added or taken away, it’s knowing when to stop and move on that’s the challenge 

Don’t give us all your secrets but what does your creative process look like? What does it take for you to become inspired or what is the source of your motivation to create?

I draw inspiration from so many different things and angles. I usually start by listening to old records. But a walk in the park or seeing a picture that invokes some type of emotion— I tend to build of that before I even touch any instruments 

What inspires you the most?

My loved ones, my family, the ongoing pursuit of this this dream of mine

Finally, tell us what you’re currently working on and what we can look forward to from you in the future!

I’m just working on putting out music. I have a single out now called Interlude on all streaming platforms. I’m working on a few beat tapes that’s should be coming out in the following months but expect a lot of new music from da kid 🤞🏿

Stream interlude via the link right above. Follow Bullet on SoundCloud here.

GR8NESS

Here for you I have some behind the scenes I captured of the ball of fire that in GR8NESS. Take a peek at what went on for the production of his music video Shawty, which you can watch here. If you ever met this guy in person you know how much energy he carries, his passion for his music and all the interesting things he has to say. We took a minute to delve deeper into his what goes on in between his ears below. View the full gallery in Book I, here.

What’s your origin story, where is your family from? Where are you from?

🦋My peoples are from Haiti , they stayed in Saint Martin for a little then made they way to florida (broward) . I’m born and raised in broward county (margate).

What did you realize you had a calling to music? 

🦋I’ve been in love with music since jit days at the church hize . Music made me realize that I had the power to lead tho. I deadass controlled Mfs when I had the mic in my hand , watever coming out yah mouth just gotta be good shit. 

Where do you draw your inspiration for the stories you tell in your songs?

🦋Movies , real life shit, others pain

When you were younger who were your favorite artists to listen to?

🦋Local church singers, Kendrick , jayz, Mali music 

Are there any other artists you plan on or aspire to work with?

🦋 T Pain, Jazmine Sullivan, HER, Chloe & Halle, Miley Cyrus, Pluto, Ye, Ace Hood, Loe Shimmy, Jeffrey Lamar Williams, Shawn Mendes, Capella Grey, Al Green, Ari Lennox, Mary J Blidge, Tory Lanez, Fuck Nigga Drake, Bill Kapri, Tye Tribbett, Billie Eilish, Jonas Brothers, Carimi, Fantasia, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Avant, Summer Walker 

How did you start your live show Sesh with Gr8ness? 

🦋In my og (good friend Mark Francois) barbershop . Just kept Throwing em till it kept getting bigger and bigger . Now I got the best event in south Florida .

How do you plan on expanding that for the future?

🦋Just keep networking and learning from folk that’s been doing this shit. 

Ima keep following my heart too , that’s what brought me this far.

What can we expect from Gr8ness later on?

🦋GR8 fucking shit! I’m going higher!

God on my side , I ain’t failing for shit.

Ima succeed, learn from my mistakes , spread my beautiful music all over the world and take care of my family and wife ! Shitting on these fuck niggas the righteous way! 

Stream Shawty on Apple Music