We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arlo Maverick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Arlo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2023 I released a documentary called Untouchable Crew. The documentary told the story of my city’s thriving breakdance scene in the 80s by chronicling a super group called Untouchable Crew.

Untouchable Crew’s story is important not only to me, but also to my city as it reveals the roots of the tree that started Edmonton Hip-Hop, roots which current hip-hop practitioners aren’t aware of. When I converse with young MCs, DJs, Breakers and Graf Writers, they think the Edmonton hip-hop scene started in the 2000s. This documentary was an opportunity to share untold stories that give the pioneers their flowers while they can still smell them.

Sadly the pandemic took some key contributors to our hip-hop community. Their stories, many of which were never documented, are now gone forever. This documentary properly tells Edmonton hip-hop history by starting at the genesis; the breakdance era.

Because of the physical toll of breakdancing, many of the pioneers transitioned out of the artform. Don Joyce is now an event promoter, Darren Jordan curates art exhibits that showcase Black fine artists, and Barry Curtis coaches basketball. This documentary has allowed them and many others to be celebrated and recognized the same way we celebrate and recognize the Rock Steady Crew.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Arlo Maverick. I am a Hip-Hop Artist, Filmmaker, and Mentor from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who has also been involved in journalism, music marketing, and radio amongst many other things. I got into my industry because of my passion for music and film. I love using art to tell stories but more importantly I love to share this information with young people who are interested in these fields.

The services I offer range from grant writing, content creation, producing documentaries, to performing. I wear a lot of hats as I come from a DIY culture where you learn how to do everything. The problems I solve for my clients could be how to fund a project they are working on or connecting them with the people needed to bring a project to life or helping them tell their story on film. It truly depends on what the clients’ needs are that will determine what hat I am wearing that day.

I think what sets me apart from others is my approach to creating art. It’s very inclusive, dares to be different and finds unique ways to engage an audience.

I’m most proud of my role in building community while still being an entrepreneur. I think it’s possible to encourage healthy competition that inspires you and your community to do better. To me, this is how ecosystems are formed. Here in my hometown I have played an active role in teaching people about the various industries I am involved in. This education then makes them better which in turn makes me and everyone around them have to level up which benefits everyone.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Prior to the pandemic, music and music marketing were my main industries outside of youth mentorship. With everything shut down, I could not perform as a music artist but I still wanted a creative outlet. It’s at this time that I picked up filmmaking. Due to the strict social distance laws in place, my crew was literally me and my partner Natalie Meyer. We filmed videos for myself and a few other people. With a lot of time on my hands I spent time at the Universities of YouTube and Google in addition to being mentored by a friend named Michael MacDonald. I learned a lot. Four years later, I have filmed multiple documentaries, docuseries’ and music videos under my belt.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Growing up in Edmonton I’ve seen a lot of talented, resourceful and intelligent people leave the city in hopes of finding opportunities in large markets. This always bothered me because it prevented us from building a sustainable music scene in our city that could attract people from all over the world. What I found was the pride people from LA, Atlanta and New York had for their city, was lacking in my own city, despite having talented, creative and smart people.

Much of my work centers around building the Edmonton music scene into something that makes artists from Edmonton stay and people from around the world want to visit us. If Detroit could do it with Motown and Seattle could do it with grunge, then Edmonton can do it once we find that thing that makes our offering to the world unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://arlomaverick.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlomaverick/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/arlomaverick

Image Credits
Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Element – 21 – Natalie Meyer Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Element – 22 – Natalie Meyer Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – At Events – 6 – Samjay Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – At Events – 8 – Natalie Meyer Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Awards – 2 – Natalie Meyer Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Element – 4 – Natalie Meyer Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Other Artists – 1 – Aaron Pedersen Arlo NAIT Alumni Photos – Performing – 12 – J. Procktor