Today we’d like to introduce you to Baldwin Williams Jr.
Hi Baldwin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
So, for me, I got where I am today through the love that was poured into me. This comes from my village, my parents, and especially God. My parents supported me in the journey of figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. At one point, I wanted to be a medical illustrator, but I lost interest. Nevertheless, my parents were encouraging. Like any other child, I loved cartoons. However, the one thing that I discovered was the people actually got paid to voice characters. My mind exploded. I had an interest but never knew where to go from there.
Fast-forward to my junior year of high school, my vice-principal asked if I could do a live narration at his church’s Christmas cantata. My narration would bridge between the songs the choir sang. I accepted the offer. I arrived at the practice slightly nervous. So, in order to practice, I asked the director if I could have the mic so I can get used to hearing myself over the loudspeakers. While practicing, a choir member noticed me. They asked if I was the one speaking, and I replied yes. They replied, “Oh! I thought we got James Earl Jones!”. I still hold that compliment dear to my heart *laughs*. That Cantata experience made me really think about doing voiceover professionally.
When I went to undergrad at Thee Illustrious Morgan State University, that’s where I solidified my interest in VO. I started doing small comic dubs for practice. A year later, I started interning at WEAA 88.9 FM. There I was able to produce promos for the station. That was where I was able to gain a lot of experience. During my junior year of college, I created a video that went viral. That post started my content creation journey. As the years went by, I graduated from Morgan State University… during the midst of a viral pandemic *laughs*.
A year later, after the counsel and wisdom of my parents, I started my matriculation at Loyola University Maryland for my Master’s in Emerging Media. During that time, I became accustomed to TikTok. Where one of the videos I created would reverberate in ways unseen. That video was an ominous cat voiceover duet that went viral on TikTok. I didn’t know how much that one video would mean, not just to me but to others. A year later after I finished my program, I created another ominous cat voiceover duet. It went viral again *laughs*. Then one of my friends suggested I make a compilation of the cat videos and post it on Twitter. I did so. It blew up.
I received so much love from that video. It really made people laugh. It made people feel better. Funny enough, that video has gotten me gigs and valued connections. For example, I voice a character called The Doctor in Mob Entertainment’s Project: Playtime (2022). The company is known for creating the Poppy’s Playtime franchise. The fact that I’m in a video game is astounding. That video still might be paying off *laughs*. That same video actually got me on Newsweek! Which I still am gobsmacked about. Never did I think in all my years that I’d end up on Newsweek for a cat video.
One comment I’ll never forget was from one Twitter user that said, “this made my night after crying over losing my dog. thank you, dude.” I don’t take that lightly. I’m grateful that I could do that for someone grieving. Grief is a hell of a thing. This past January I lost my father Baldwin Williams Sr. I understand what a person can think while encountering grief. The fact that I could make someone feel even a step from where they were before is something I praise God for.
My father supported all of my interests immensely. Especially for voiceover. He always researched VO resources for me and showed me them. He helped me build my voiceover both. It was the last thing he did before he got sick. I thank God for the parents that He gave me. I’m glad I was able to spotlight my father and my mother, Charlene Richards-Williams in my Newsweek article. We have to give people their flowers while they’re still here. We must.
I’m grateful for the love and flowers I’ve received in my 25 years of life. I can’t wait to see what’s next for me. I don’t know the future, but I do know this: I’ll be sticking close to God on this journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a road *laughs*. In the past, it was trying to learn, audition, and grow as a voice actor. Trying not to compare myself to other people. We all are on different paths. Going to similar yet different destinations for reasons that we may or may never figure out. Currently, the biggest struggle right now is coping with and grieving the loss of my father. He was one of the support pillars in my life, along with my mother. I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. In my own time of course. I’m not rushing myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So for me, I am a content creator and voice actor. I am known for my VO work and my ominous cat TikTok duets. I am most proud of my work ethic and professionalism. I try to make sure I treat everyone with kindness and respect. I don’t say being nice because nice is transactional. When it comes to my work ethic, I try to make things the best I possibly can. Even when it comes to the small videos I do.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I do know that it’s concerning right now with the trend of artificial intelligence voiceovers rising. Everyone is trying to save money and cut costs. This doesn’t only go for voiceover but when it comes to all aspects of creativity: art, music, etc. I just pray that we recognize the ingenuity that comes from human creativity. That creativity cannot and will not grow pale in comparison to something that is automated. I will say that there are benefits when it comes to AI, but it should be used to aid, not replace, human creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: baldwinvoices.com
- Instagram: @baldwinvoices
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baldwin-williams-jr/
- Twitter: @baldwinvoices
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@baldwinvoices4832
Image Credits
DéShawn Walters
