For some of you, you are not aware of what this flyer is. This flyer is from my first event! The flyer was designed by one of my good friends, Blake Duncanson, who is an amazing graphic designer. I remember calling him almost every day trying to get this flyer right. The nerves was running through every part of my body as I had never done a show at this capacity. I would always attend shows of people, yet I was suppose to curate one? Yeah, I wasn’t ready for that one haha. This event tested me in so many ways, but it really set the blueprint that in 2024, I strayed away from for a very long time. What happened?
I started following other people’s recipe. People had their ways of cultivating culture, making money, and building community. I studied each person, and tried it out for myself. 65% of the time, it didn’t give me the best dish. The event may have went extremely well, but it just didn’t build consistency in attendance or finances. I had to experiment with so many different business models. It was all worth it to reflect on it today, because I can tell you what was good, decent, bad, or never will I ever. Learning by doing is the best experience I could get in the first 6 years of my career.
Now, as I walk into my 7th year of being in the entertainment world, I go back to this night and many other nights to replicate what was a success for me and the people. I am not renting expensive venues. I am not working with people just because it’s Obas. I must change the ingredients to many of my recipes to make the dish better. I learned from all of my experiences, and this year its about combining everything into a big pool and being consistent with it.
New York Fashion Week Pop-Up
No Rivals + friends is my first fashion show that I ever hosted. I remember back in high school and my early college days that I would always be the least fashionable person. I just didn’t care much about my image especially if most of the times I was just going to school or going to the gym. I really don’t think that was the true reason. The true reason was that I didn’t have a identity in the field of fashion. I was not introduced to fashion outside of what I normally wear. It wasn’t until I went to Los Angeles and Montreal I just dove right into it as I surfed through a pile of clothes at a thrift store.
Now, we are at fashion week in NY and can’t wait to see what is put together in combination with my hosting. Appreciate Jaelin for this play. It is completely free and we welcome everyone. RSVP below.
Songwriting Studios at Spotify
Truly was blessed to attend a Songwriting Studios sessions at Spotify two weeks ago. This is an opportunity Spotify rolled out 2 years ago, and their studios are based in Los Angeles, Nashville, and London. There used to be one in Toronto, but I don’t know what happened. One of my favorite people invited me to join them in Nashville to begin their album. I had never been to Nashville, and it wasn’t planned for me to head down there. This is an amazing opportunity for artists who can’t afford studio time because Spotify gives you the space to create and the space to plan out your entire album. I was stunned with the space, and encourage everyone to apply below to the space. Get right fam.
Looking Forward
I have always had the vision, but it’s really time to execute. You can save the following dates as we are going to rollout some shorts and the most expected one of them all: Volume 2. The dates to lock in are as follows: 4/17, 5/29-5/30, 6/26, 9/26, 10/30, 11/20.
We are going to go into Phase 1: Movie Monday. Every other Monday at 7:30pm, I want you to join me and some friends as we watch some movies that have inspired me and some of my creative friends project. Each month will have a theme, and it will lead into those dates as I mentioned. It is completely free! Just come on down to Please Tell Me, and we will have a blast.
This is a new start to my creative journey, and I am very thankful for everyone being a part of it whether it was my past, present, or future. Love everyone and be blessed and safe.