Today we’d like to introduce you to Jelani Maliik.
Hi Jelani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Jelani Maliik – but I am often known as “The Knightheart”. I am a recording & performing artist, as well as CEO & Director of “MVNIFVST LLC” – a Multimedia Company and Lifestyle Brand. I have been inspired by music, art, & culture my entire life – but it wasn’t until my early teen years when I experienced years of chronic homelessness that brought it all to surface. I began writing poetry and making songs around 13 years old, which a few years later turned into performing at the age of 15. At the time, I wasn’t in school due to moving around so much, so I started my journey of recording and performing my music. Being so young & getting exposed to mature environments at the time really allowed me to learn a lot about displaying myself with confidence and maturity. This is also where I met many of the artists & musicians I still work with today. Over the years, I have established an extensive music catalog & resume of performances. My goal throughout the years has been to build a solid foundation for my platform created through hardwork, authenticity, & consistency. My hunger has not changed since I was that 15 yr. old kid trying to find his voice, but my perspective has expanded to understanding I am also helping others find their voice as well through my art.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path of an Independent Artist is not an easy one. For me, being young running the studio/performance circuits was challenging. I faced a lot of people who discounted my potential, were intimidated by my presence, & minimized my talent because of my age. At every point, I had to remember my worth & let my abilities show and prove. Being a musician is also expensive. Studio sessions, video shoots, promotions, playlist pitching, instrumentals – ALL COST MONEY! If you are not financially stable or you’re “just getting by” then making those investments can really be a major sacrifice. You have to be balanced but also be willing to take those risks & gambles. It’s not always an instant pay-off too. sometimes you have to focus on the long game.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“MVNIFVST LLC” is a Multimedia Company & Lifestyle Brand – we work alongside a team of creatives & entrepreneurs to provide a platform and resources for aspiring artists and business owners, our ultimate goal as a company is to offer inspiration & tools for those who undergoing the journey to help them succeed. MVNIFVST is involved in both the Arts & Music communities – helping develop artists and musicians, connect creatives, create content, & provide an umbrella for some to call home. We want to remind everyone of their own power of “manifestation” & show people from different parts of the world that every day is a chance to create a better future for yourself. Our brand is dedicated to the dreamers and believers. Inspiring everyone to be their best version & apply themselves in new ways is our mission. We want those who represent our brand & our consumers to be elevated by the content we share so that we can continue to create positive ripples in artist communities everywhere. Feel free to reach out to us! We love networking & exchanging with new creatives!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my ultimate childhood memories is when Avengers (2012) came out & I got to watch it in a packed theatre with a full row of my family there. It was AMAZING, especially since I was young and such a comic geek. We all had a great time watching the Avengers on screen for the first time.
Pricing:
- $25 an hour for Artist Consultation (first half an hour free)
- $300 feature ($150 for just hook)
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@mvnifvst.com
- Website: mvnifvst.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theknightheart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKnightheart
- Youtube: youtube.com/c/ManifestMusic
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/knightheart02
Image Credits
Luna Day Visuals
OwlVision
B. Piri Photography
