Today we’d like to introduce you to Lil Nightlife.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
You wouldn’t ask Batman or Superman how they came to be. They just are just kidding; everyone loves a good origin story. So funny thing I started this and wrote this long one and it got erased. So this the abridged version. In 2012 I was a broke artist my cousin Blake Juste (can I shoutout people out cause their pivotal) told me Story Nightclub was hiring. I was so broke I honestly only had the bus fare to get there and back. So I get to the interviews held at LIV in Fontainebleau hotel. I was nervous and felt so out of my element but I soldiered thru. Everyone seemed to know everyone and here I was so fresh-faced so green.
So I sit with this guy and let me tell you I always have this weird luck in life. Unbeknownst to me but its the GM. Good thing I didn’t know cause I was already nervous. So we get thru the interview and then he asks me the million-dollar question “Why do you want to work at a nightclub” I say cause I like to dance he looks at me and in the back of my head I’m like omg did I say something crazy. But he’s like out of all the applicants I interviewed today you the only one that answered that everyone said the cause of the money. He was like your look, your demeanor “You are the Nightlife” You’re what we need! We will definitely keep in touch. Shoutouts to Joe Lopez where ever you are for giving me that chance. I mean, I still wasn’t at Lil Nightlife level but I was getting there. I worked at the number 8th Club in the World so yeah. A lot of mishaps got me to point B! But it was a certain DJ got me to point C!
Most of the DJs got me to this point. They have seen me shining and started to shoutout me out, which in turn made me go harder. But there was one in particular who took a chance Fabio from Dudeskywalker who brought me on as a mascot at Daybreaker Miami and it was on and popping from there. Now I’m a Performance Artist X Style Consultant. At least that’s the professional in my opinion I’m an Artist or Creative.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Wow-what a question hell no! I’m a Queer Black Male in a Straight White Male-dominated Industry who happens to be an orphan! Its crazy cause nightlife owes a lot to Queer Males of color but that’s another time another place lol! Plenty of nights, I wanted to pull my hair out and just give up. But I actually remember why I started and as Disney as that sounds, I started this because I remember having no one to look up to! Now there are actually gay heroes but growing up. There weren’t any! Struggles I could list but we don’t have time for all that. I recommend anyone find you a support system to keep you grounded and keep you sane cause in this business you may become dislluisoned. Things come fast and things go! I’m grateful who decided they wanted to be apart of my journey cause it’s not easy!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Lil Nightlife is ART! Just kidding or am I? I’m a Performance Artist and I’m known for bringing energy to a place. I’m not afraid to honestly. I think people get so wrapped up in being cool or better then someone else that they forget the cardinal rule we are all “All the Same.” I get that and I’m not afraid to show that. My proudest moment was going solo and doing it by myself. I use to think I could only do it if some major Club or Company backed me and that’s not true at all. Truthfully I just needed me myself and I! I literally have done everything by myself from buying my costumes to getting my own gigs.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing just kidding but in all seriousness, cut out the fear and branched out sooner. I wasted precious time before I went solo. I definitely would have gone solo quicker.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilnightlife
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilnightlife
Image Credit:
Justinmar Perez
RadSkllz
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