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

Hi Blkmrkt, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I have a personal saying/ mantra. Happiness comes from comparison, joy comes from within. There are days I’m not happy and definitely think about being another “cog in the machine”. Then I think about who I’m comparing myself to, who told me I have to be anything other that what I am. That’s where I find joy, in the reflection. In the short search of my mind for gratitude. It’s been a while since I’ve had any thoughts like that. That definitely has to do with changing my perception and not comparing my status with other producers. Ultimately I am happy with my choices and love my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am Blkmrkt. I am a studio owner, producer and engineer. My entry into the industry was opening a commercial studio. I didn’t have contacts, I didn’t go to school. I learned through apprenticeship, study and trial and error. My practice and discipline was found in the experience. In the beginning it seemed like I never left the studio. In fact, I slept there for about a month before being able to afford a room to rent with some friends. I took showers at the gym and had a storage unit I would stop by everyday for clothes and other items. Back to the studio, I knew how to make music, but The more clients I had, the more I learned about the business. It’s been 6 years since then and I’ve never had another job. I’ve built a name in the community providing studio services i.e; Recording, mixing, mastering and production. What sets me and my studio apart is how we build with our clients. We look to build genuine relationships with every person who walks through our door. Being a creative myself, I know how misunderstood we can be. So a lot of the times I’m there for my clients in a therapeutic was as well. Using music to help artists navigate there emotions and creativity. Blkmrkt studio is one of the top in Kentucky, we welcome all genres to book with us. We’re talented, we work hard and we know our shit.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn to just be. Let go of judgment, let go of fear and give up control. These things constantly held me back, I felt like I was constantly trying to “carry all the groceries all at once”. Trying to hold it all together. I’m still learning that but in different ways. The first instance of learning though was when I opened my first studio in 2016. I was scared, “standing on a cliff” afraid to jump. I had an ok job selling cars and life was comfortable but I knew something was missing. I must have talked myself out of it 100 times, but once I surrendered to those fears and anxieties it was an easy decision. I could see the future clearly. Letting go of what people would think, the risks, the possibility of failure and surrendering to my talents instead of trying to control them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is the reactions. I love watching artists faces when they listen back to what they just recorded or a beat and to them it’s the hardest shit they ever heard lol. Seeing the artists I work with happy is definitely one of the highs I chase.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blkmrktpro.com
• Instagram: Blkmrkttheproducer
• Facebook: Justin Eckerd
• Twitter: Blkmrktp
• Youtube: nfrecords1
• Other: Tik tok: Blkmrkttheproducer

Image Credits
@Leotheshooter @digitalloc @shotbyflex