Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Merkell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Merkell thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I definitely knew at a very young age. I was 3 years old teaching choir parts to my parents, running around in my Mom’s choir robe from church. That’s all I wanted to do. I would go to school, come home, change into my robe and get to teaching. I didn’t have nor was I interested in any other hobbies other than music. Sports was and still isn’t my thing. Video games didn’t keep my attention either. I just knew every time I heard music or was around music, my soul became overjoyed. I fell more in love with my artistry when I started attending Oakland School for the Arts in 9th grade. That’s when everything clicked for me. I knew who I was, who I was going to become and exactly what I was going to do to get there.
Merkell, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I didn’t get into the industry until college. While attending Central State University, I had the opportunity to meet amazing Artists who gave me opportunities to travel and perform. Some of the gigs I would be contracted as a background vocalist, and others I would be contracted as a main Artist. That taught me how to lead and to follow. I was a guy who didn’t necessarily have to always be in the front. I was able to learn both sides of the industry that way. It also took a lot of discipline because I was still in school, so I had tons of homework seeing that I was a Music Performance major. That’s work on top of work. Some nights I would be out until about 2am, and would still have to go back to my dorm to complete my school work. Since I was a music major everything played a part in perfecting my craft. From the masterclasses I would have to perform in for my grade, to my Senior recital, to performing outside of school at local lounges and bars, my craft had been evolving all along. Fast forward to now, I’m able to effectively work in my gift while offering others my services as a Artist and a up and coming Vocal Producer. Although I love being a main Artist, I throughly enjoy vocal producing for other Artists, groups and ensembles. I enjoy bringing the best out of the different voices I work with. When I work with my clients, I do not ever tell them what they want to hear. I’m not a yes man. In order for me to pull out the best in my clients, I have to give it to them real so we can produce some of the greatest music that will hit this Earth. I’m a vocal producer, which means everything that comes out of your mouth will be produced to the highest and greatest level. There is no half doing anything in the studio with me, and that is what sets me apart. I’m most proud of the work I’ve put in for myself to get to where I am now. I’ve never stopped even when things in my life became tough. I kept pushing. I kept striving because I know what my purpose is here on Earth.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an Artist is meeting like minded people and fellow creatives. It’s pretty cool seeing how many people actually love music.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I feel non-creatives struggle to understand my schedule, and the way my brain operates sometimes. There’s always something to think about; an upcoming performance, what to wear, songs to prepare for my performance. Sometimes it just takes a little more explaining because there are people, believe it or not, who have no idea what being a creative means, and the responsibility that comes with it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: TheRealMerkell
- Youtube: Merkell
Image Credits
Photographer- Hunnus Photographer- AJ Woods