Marcus Braveboy
Marcus Braveboy has always been encouraged to express himself creatively. This singer, producer and entrepreneur loves music but is also passionate about fashion and marketing. While he has experienced success with his social marketing company and other entrepreneurial ventures, he received musical recognition on Netflix and through the recently launched Caribbean’s first royalty free stock music, photo and video website. In our chat with him, he told us why he is ‘addicted to progress’:
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My parents worked extremely hard to provide me with all the opportunities that they possibly could so I am forever grateful to both. My dad, in particular, ensured that I tried every extra curricular activity possible. I did everything from tae-kwon-do and swimming to playing the clarinet.
When I was in primary school, I remember my teacher asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I responded that I wanted to be a famous singer like Michael Jackson. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m definitely pursuing the dream.
I have been singing professionally as a solo artist since my early adult years but I think that my love for performing and musical arts really started in primary school. My dad and I used to compose calypsoes on the way to school. Around that time, I also used to sing with the Love Movement Junior Choir under the tutelage of Bernadette Scott. Then in my teens, I formed a group called the Breathless Krew and we performed at various events in Trinidad and entered talent competitions like Youth Fest and Soca Monarch.
My father is one of my biggest influences. He always encouraged me to express myself creatively, so this path was more than natural to me. Music continues to be my first love, but I am also very passionate about fashion and marketing. I don’t think I can ever just do one thing. About a decade ago,when I visited New York, I realized that social media was a whole new side of marketing for companies. I kept on meeting people who were making money managing social media pages for companies and decided to bring that business model to my homeland. So I started my own social media agency called IKE (I Know Everybody) Consulting Ltd. Since launching it, I have managed pages for some of the biggest companies and brands on the island.
I also have my own clothing line/lifestyle brand called Addicted To Progress, which started off as a BBM (Blackberry Messenger) status and graduated into a t- shirt line . I used to sell from the trunk of cars then moved to a kiosk in the mall. Now it is an online store shipping internationally. During the pandemic, the brand went on recess but we are about to rebrand and relaunch later this year. Very recently, I launched the Caribbean’s first royalty free stock music, photo and video website called The Content Island and my own record label called The Bravehouse Music Group.
Photo by: Chandra Maharaj
Along came Ty and Netflix
A few years ago, I met a young entrepreneur named Ty Frankel from Los Angeles, who heard my music and asked me if I would be interested in doing a few songs for his company Shut Down Music, which would eventually be pitched for TV and film. It was never something I considered or even knew really existed. It was a whole new side of the industry for me. I kept working on various projects with the help of my friend Kevin Beharry (System 32).
The recent Netflix placements were the fruits of this labor. It’s so surreal hearing your voice on a Netflix show. I think what’s always exciting to me is seeing how far music can reach. From a home studio in Diego Martin to a Netflix produced series which reaches millions worldwide. It still blows my mind when I think of it.
Some great musical highs
Throughout my musical career,I have had some memorable moments. In addition to the recent Netflix placements and recognition, performing with local rock band 5 Miles To Midnight, opening with them for Evanescence and Stephen Marley in Trinidad and winning the Viewer’s Choice Award at the COTT awards with Yung Rudd and Mevon and Jimmy October for our song “Iza Trini”, were other musical highpoints. My biggest performance to date was performing at the Lolapalooza festival in Chicago with Bad Royale, and also having our picture featured on the Billboard Magazine website . These were some moments for the books.
While I consider these as great accomplishments, at this stage in my life, success for me is about representing my country in the global music market and opening doors for others. Within that journey I hope to achieve at least one international hit song doing my style of music and becoming a well respected artist and entertainment mogul. I also hope to be able to create opportunities for Caribbean creatives via some of my business ventures and most importantly to be an amazing father, husband, friend, son and human being who is able to give back to my various communities.
My father recently passed away and one thing that stood out to me is that nobody had anything bad to say about him. All the sentiments were about how much he helped people, how loving and respectful he was to his fellow human being, how much he inspired people and how much people loved him. I have big shoes to fill and I think I would like to be remembered for those things. Yes, I may have career achievements I want to conquer, but most importantly, I just want to be remembered as a good person.
I think the role of good black fathers needs to be prioritized. A lot of the downfalls in our community are a result of the breakdown of the family unit and lack of positive male role models. I hope to help make a change with this issue, in whatever way I can.
In addition to my father who has been my main mentor, I was also blessed to meet people like Bernadette Scott, Ken Holder and Giandre Diaz, who early in my career really helped develop me as an artist and taught me about the industry. I also have to thank Mevon Soodeen, Stef Kalloo, Yung Rudd, Michael Mooleedhar, 5 Miles To Midnight, Geddes King, Stylez, Richie Loop, Alex Miura and Kevin Beharry, who have definitely served as mentors to me in their own capacity as well as being great friends.
Unfortunately there aren’t sufficient mentors for young black males, not only in the entertainment industry but across the board. As a young black ambitious entrepreneur with global ambition, I had to figure out a lot of things myself and I always promised no matter what, I will try my best to be a mentor to anyone upcoming who is willing to listen. I give advice daily to anyone who reaches out and even if I am busy, I try my best to connect them to someone who can help them get the info they are looking for or somewhere where they can get to the next step.
To those who wish to get into the entertainment industry, I would recommend taking a dive and getting more exposure into the legal aspects. You may not have to do a law degree like me (while it is helpful) but you should still be knowledgeable about intellectual property law. Now, I am more analytical and can apply my knowledge to the drafting and review of some of my own contracts sent to me by record labels, licencing agencies and producers.
To that teenager who is feeling a little confused at this point about his future or next steps, please don’t feel down or depressed about not being sure what you want to do. You are young: enjoy youth, enjoy the journey and have fun exploring all the different things that life has to offer. Come out of your comfort zone, meet new people, travel to new places. You will figure it out when the time is right and once you do and you begin your career, I want to urge you to save and invest. It could be a little a month, just save it and invest!
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Marcus recently released “Braveboy Meets World” through his own label, Bravehouse Music Group. It is available on all streaming platforms and features collaborations with artists and producers from over 12 countries. By the end of this year, he hopes to release an EP entitled “Riddim & Blues”.