Mama, We Made It!

“Always know where your two feet are planted.” Bronx, NY, young Ricky didn’t grow up in the best of neighborhoods, but always got what he wanted, while surrounded by his Dominican Republic roots, family, and culture.  As a first generation American, Ricky was brought up by immigrant parents, who both worked incredibly hard to provide a life that him his siblings deserved. His mother was his role model, teaching him discipline, work ethic, and what it means to be yourself. After moving from the Bronx to Orlando, Ricky had trouble adjusting to the new culture, and never truly fit in.  As a self-proclaimed “extroverted introvert”, he soon found his comfort and passion behind the lens of a camera.  Diving deep into shooting, he knew that this was more than just a hobby, and it was time to go for it. After graduating high school, and exploring college in Florida, Ricky was always mentally in Los Angeles.  It’s easy for people to say they want to live in LA, but when you have

“Self Correction; understand you’re not always gonna be right.” Willingboro, NJ, a place between the good and bad, where you you would see who can fight the best, play ball the best, dance the best, and be the best. It may not be NY, Philly, or LA, but T-Dot proudly puts it on the map. Growing up, T-Dot didn’t leave his rough neighborhood, and thought that’s what just being a kid was. He loved playing sports, immersed himself in painting, and always questioned everything. He wasn’t the best fighter, baller, or dancer, but became an assassin with his words and humor. This would soon lead him to freestyle rapping, and his journey began. Music was the first thing T-Dot got real approval on as he began to discover himself throughout high school. However, paralleling his music life was also a world of trouble, that started to take over. Realizing a lifestyle that was once fun and games, was now dangerous, he shifted his focus completely, and went all-in on his artistry. 

“Music can transcend these boundaries.” Let's take it back to the burbs of Boston, where if your not eating at Joe's Pizza, you’re escaping to the outdoors, chasing the spirit of adventure, and finding freedom. This was Johan’s world. Growing up, he immersed himself in music, but not necessarily as a musician - his true love was found with classical composition, with heroes like John Williams, and Beethoven. While everyone was listening to the new Eminem or Outkast albums, Johan was bumping the soundtrack to Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Los Ark. Even though he found himself disconnected from pop-culture, there was something much deeper that he was connected to, and perhaps something that truly connects us all. This would soon lead to his life purpose. His mission was to get people to appreciate classical music - this thing that could mean so much to so many people. After attending Yale, and putting together multiple experimental theater productions, trying to deliver classical m

“What helped me keep pushing, is never being satisfied.” Minneapolis, MN, you may not see celebrities walking around, but it’s birthed many legends like Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Morris Day. Another legend would soon be added to the list…When Rahki was 2 years old, he was at church moving around, and dancing up and down. A preacher came from another city that day, saw Rahki, and said “That child right there is going to be blessed with music. PUT HIM ON THE DRUMS!” Rahki’s father was a minister, his mother was a choir singer, and Rahki grew up playing drums in every church choir, every day of the week. Church and Gospel Music was his life. But as time passed, Rahki became curious about the world outside of church, and being restricted by his parents only made that curiosity stronger. We naturally want what we can’t have, and for Rahki, that became Hip-Hop. As high school approached, he became more rebellious, and started heading down the wrong path very fast. In

“Sometimes you need to lose who you think you are so you can rediscover who you are.” Welcome to Kankakee, IL, at one time ranked the worst city in the U.S. Growing up moving around a lot, with little dreams of a big city, TiRon found himself getting lost in creativity as a way to escape the world around him. He was always drawn to music - not to any genre, but to how it made him feel. His natural curiosity for people and experiencing new things was his way out of his small town, and his mind… Welcome to South Side Chicago, where gangs and violent crimes were at an all time high. But as kids, we don’t always have a concept of danger. For Omari, this was simply his neighborhood, like any where else. Inspired by his loving mother, she introduced him to music at an early age, from Tina Marie to Masta P. But where Omari really got lost was in his drawings and passion for art. Both kids were receptive to the world around them, yet so different how they ingested it. It wasn’t unti

“Stay curious.” Leslie was born in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, but moved to South Central when she was 4 -  a place that raised her, became her home, and her community.  Leslie was influenced by her mother, who encouraged her to stay active, as Leslie delved into sports, performing arts, and student government throughout her youth.  Elected Senior Class President in High School, Leslie was able to use her leadership role to inspire change, and bring people together.  “Being a leader is not only being able to captain the ship, but being able to teach everyone how to captain the ship.”  Using her influence, Leslie began to host events, and high school parties, which became the foundation of her career.  But it’s often after High School where life quickly changes. On one hand, we become more free, and on the other, we become more lost.  For Leslie, being lost was what made her who she is today.  Struggling to find her directi

"The greats are ones who redefine the model." Let's take you to Oakland, CA, but unlike a lot of people, young Mansa grew up in the Hills, where people lived a more luxurious lifestyle. As a kid, he was into skating, music, and "nerd stuff" - learning computer coding, and always ahead of his class. He never went to parties, and had never even been to downtown. However, at 13, his life was turned upside down. Unfortunate legal issues caused his family to leave their fortunate life, and within 2 years, they moved 7 times, residing in West, Oakland. Being a rich kid who didn't understand why people sagged their pants, Mansa was lost, and found himself struggling to adapt to his new surroundings. He was bullied and robbed everyday, his grades dropped, yet, it was the best thing that ever happened to him... Mansa has always known that he wouldn't be working a "normal job", but rather something in entertainment. That something, became music, and music became his escape - one that would soon

"Keep Working." Inland Empire, CA, a place far from the ocean. It was the 90s, and kids didn't have cell phones or tablets, but instead had dancing, skating, and gang-banging. For Oktane, he was a middle child who lived what some would call a "normal life", inspired by his parents, and Mint Condition, Rakim, and Earth, Wind & Fire were the soundtrack of his childhood. However at any moment, he could've easily been kicked off course, but Oktane's gift of incredible focus, and his relentless dedication to the things he loves, kept him on a road to greatness. Price grew up in a single mother home, always moving, and adapting as the "new kid" in school. As a child, he was brought up among gang-life, and by 12 years old, he was completely immersed. But Price has something special; a bold desire for a better future, and the fearless confidence to achieve anything he set his mind to. It's easy to say both Oktane and Price have the ability to be great on their own, but together, they beco

"As soon as you the put the fear of looking stupid behind you, things happen." Ali has always found himself in the middle of clashing worlds, but has a gift of bringing them together. On one end, he was born in Paris, France, the fashion capital of the world. On the other, he grew up in West Covina, CA, where you were either a skater, baller, or gangster... and if you mixed styles, you'd get beat up. But for Ali, he found himself right in the middle; skateboarding listening to Puffy, playing basketball listening to Metallica. It was hard to pick a side, and it wasn't until 8th grade where he dropped his fear, and owned his image. His parents were originally from Pakistan, moved to the States with no money, two kids, and the Immigrant Dream. Struggling, and working tirelessly throughout Ali's childhood, they would soon garner success, owning several Baskin Robbins as Ali would enter High School. Being a newly regarded "rich kid" may have brought Ali 3 pairs of Jordans, a

"The word impossible is my favorite word because I don't believe in it." It's rare to come across someone who can truly make you see the world differently - whether it's perspective, colors, or "slices". Iddris did that for all of us, and at 20 years old, his mind proves to be lightyears ahead. Born in Harbor City, CA, Iddris grew up simply as a "nerd", wildly fascinated with technology. "Tech was my freedom, it's in my code". His parents were both from Ghana; his mother, who is his heart, came from great wealth, and his father from poverty. But it wasn't until a father-son trip to the homeland took an unexpected turn that left Iddris stranded, and on the brink of survival. An experience that could have shattered a child's hopes and dreams, actually created them. Iddris realized he had a purpose, and from that point on, he dedicated his life to humanity, and technology was his voice. "If it doesn't benefit lives, I don't want it". With a relentless drive for innovation, he immersed hi

"You are your star player." EVERYBODY FROM THE TOWN STAND UP! It's the mid 80's in East Oakland, a young Murph is born as the city is still feeling the impact of the "crack era". His mother, a special education teacher, and gifted Gospel singer who wrote songs in her dreams. His father, a multi-business owning, self-made man, who holds down the definition of working hard. Murph lived in a juxtaposition - a kid from the East Oakland streets, and a private school student. But his true identity was hoops, and ball was life. Playing for some of the top teams in the country, Murphs basketball dreams were becoming a reality. With work ethic instilled by his father, he took on multiple jobs to make his own money, and build his own future. But it wasn't until a unexpected injury happened that Murph began to see the world differently, and dig deep into who he really was without basketball. After High School, he attended UC Santa Cruz, a place that would soon becom

"What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create." Enter Mir: born in the Bay, grew up in LA, made in Brooklyn. She was a "fortune baby", raised by her Buddhist mother, who at the time was finishing college and entering grad school. After graduating, they moved to LA and lived with Mir's grandparents. This would soon become an environment that encouraged Mir's gifts and imagination, as she was being conditioned to be great. Hyper aware at an early age, and influenced by adults, Mir's way of seeing the world was guided by truth, and always speaking it. But, this would conflict with her life as a child, as she was labeled the "weird kid" in school, struggled with isolation, and found herself caught in the middle of life or death. However, it's often the darkest experiences that show us the clearest path. For Mir, that path was music. It became her outlet, her love, her connection to life, and every choice she made was driven by her nee

"You have to believe it first, before anyone else can believe it." Los Angeles, CA, born and raised, Kevin was banging on pots and pans at the age of 2. He grew up surrounded by legends; their music was the soundtrack of his youth, and their stage was his playground. Supported by both his parents, and inspired by his father Keb' Mo', Kevin was taught to harness his truth, and let music guide his path. Drums were life, and Kevin's deep appreciation for musicality led him to be one of the stand-out drummers among a community of LA's finest musicians. But it wasn't until he graduated high school that he wanted to express himself more ways than one. Following his "dharma", Kevin went from a drummer to drum programmer, producer to songwriter, singer to artist. The evolution was organic, and if you let it, everything falls into place. But that's just it, you have to let it. "I didn't get into music to be a star, I got into music to be able to live making music." Whe

"Look in the mirror and talk to yourself for 5 minutes." George's journey started in Oakland, down to East LA, and moved throughout South LA. Much of what he remembers is being a bad-ass kid, constantly getting kicked out schools. Never had a chance to make real friends, disrespected all his teachers, and never stuck to something long enough to be good at it. But when George would go home to his mom, and Oma, it was all love; an incredible dichotomy. It wasn't until high school, that George would soon realize being bad was no longer cool, and for once in his life, he needed something to care about. Picking up a camera for the first time opened the flood gates and it was time to "tap in". "When you tap into one positive thing, your entire world is affected." George became hungry for learning and known among the community for his work - and his work ethic. He expanded into video, and would shoot during the day, and have you a final edited project by night.&

"Once you start meeting your true self half way, you'll have a much easier journey." Born in Cairo, Egypt, a Coptic Orthodox Egyptian, Youssef came to the US for religious reasons when he was six years old. His parents made the true "immigrant sacrifice" to spend their life savings to save their life. When arriving to the States, they moved around a lot, first living in Hancock Park, then later South Central. Youssef didn't speak English, or have the tools to communicate and express himself. This led to locking himself in the library, reading everything he could, to figure it out and survive. The once nice, gullible, naive kid, would soon become the troublemaker who wanted a story and adventure. However, Youssef was always very smart, and had a natural curious character, but never learned how to work hard. He would use being smart as a facade of a hard worker, and struggled with finding which direction to go in, and committing to one dream. He bounced around from physics to

"Get bit or get better." Vero Beach, FL on a 3-acre farm, surrounded by animals, trees, fruits, veggies, and huge family - a young Priscilla was roaming free. Though introverted and timid, she was in love with MTV, had ballerina aspirations, and was drawn towards forensic science. Mom and Dad were both church singers, and it came natural for Priscilla at the age of 2. But as a military kid, growing up in a strict household and moving around frequently, Priscilla struggled with expressing herself. To find her voice, she would secretly record and write songs when her parents weren't home, and post videos on YouTube (back when it was still beta). This was the start of it all. Soon, the country girl made a strong decision to express herself as an adult, and she was going to do it her own way, and chase her dreams. Priscilla moved to LA, and was quickly consumed by the industry, landing a record deal. But we all know, the industry can eat you up fast, and even as success was

"What are you living for if you have no story to tell". Welcome to Hawkinsville, GA, population: <6,000. Let's put it like this, Thrash's first time on an airplane was after he got kicked out college, and moved to LA. But before the country kid learned the Hollywood Shuffle, life was simple and about one thing only; sports.  Thrash was a natural athlete, always had style to match, and everything seemed to come easy for him. But because it all came easy, he never developed a passion for anything. He was raised by his father, who had strict rules, and kept tight reigns to make sure Thrash didn't grow up to be a failure. Always living in the moment, with no real direction, Thrash found himself lost after high school. But when it was time to go to college, being away from his father and searching for a path, Thrash started to rebel. It's in these moments, where our truth often comes out and we discover who we are. For&nbs

"Never compromise your principles". It's the 90's in Compton, CA, and the police just raided your house again. You wake up to go to school 4 cities away, where all you have to do is look at someone the wrong way to catch a beat down. You're Black and Hispanic, you don't fit in, and the only crew you're rolling with is the books in your rolling backpack. Enter Denise (y'all ain't ready for the last name yet). Her mother was her rock, her step-father was her protector, and her abuelita was her reflection. But despite being a straight-A student, who just wanted to do the right thing, Denise wasn't becoming the person she wanted to be. Feeling like an outcast among her peers, she sought refuge in the one place she felt free; the library. It wasn't until High School that Denise decided life would be completely different. She made her first friends through sports, and joined a community through student council. But most importantly, she found her identity. Running for Student Body

"Hopefully, everything you've ever done, is to prepare you for everything you're about to do". Born in Detroit, but from L.A., Ajay was raised by his mother, an extremely hard-worker who took every opportunity to create something out of nothing - a quality that was passed to her son at a young age. Often helping his mother as she built her business, Ajay learned the value of work ethic, sacrifice, and being resourceful. As he got older, he started tapping into his ability to sell, along with his passion for creating things that provide value to people. That seller's high drove him through college, selling everything from candy, car audio, velour suits, gas and throwing "purse parties" - which you'll find about out soon... Although this path felt good in the moment, it soon became damaging as there was no greater good to this unsustainable lifestyle. It wasn't until Ajay stepped back to reevaluate his life, that he started asking himself more meaningful questions about his wo

"Just because a person manages to smile and has grace, does not mean they didn't arrive here through blood, sweat, and tears." Growing up in Inglewood, CA, with a large family of 5 sisters, and 5 step-sisters, Nia was the only sibling that was a musician. But it wasn't just about the act of playing music. Nia was into music in a way that was categorized as "other", and didn't have many peers who shared that. There was a strong, emotional connection to music, and as piano became her first real friend, it was the outlet for Nia's feelings. Her father was a music teacher, producer, manager, and had an in-house studio where locals would come and record. But when it came to Nia, he kept music at a distance, almost as a way of protecting her from this notoriously tough business. It wasn't until high school when Nia first got to play with other students - an amazing feeling, but the bar was set extremely high. On top of that, her father was her teacher. Constantly struggling to be heard, Nia