Today we’d like to introduce you to Conrad Prophete aka GUMTHEWRAPPER.
Conrad, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Last year, during my Freshman year of college at Barry University, I was making some money on the side making video edits and music videos for local rap artists. Through all of that, I ended up getting invited to a warehouse show that was being held in Downtown Miami. Now, though I was born and raised in Miami, I lived in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti for about three years during Highschool. I didn’t know what kind of experience I was gonna get into and for some reason, all my friends ended up canceling last minute. I had a gut feeling that I couldn’t miss this show so I called an Uber and went.
The show was called “Gook N’ Pachanga”, and attending there changed my entire perspective of the city I’m from (Miami). The show itself was mediocre, but the people there was what made it worth it. I met many young and talented musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs starting their own clothing line or LLCs for hosting events. To say I was inspired is an understatement… after being away from Miami for so many years I never knew there could be such a welcoming atmosphere for all types of creatives from all strives of life.
By the end of 2017, I started attending more and more local concerts and events hosted by freelance creatives and small brands to see what works and what doesn’t and even befriended many other creatives along the way. I became somewhat of a Jack-of-all-trades. I was dabbling so much in so many hobbies like photography, videography, djing, entrepreneurship, event curation, graphic design and creative directing all while pursuing a marketing degree and that’s where it hit me.
Many creatives tend to have an all-for-one type of mindset. Everyone wants to be the next Tyler, the Creator, or James Jebbia but obviously, it’s not going to happen. I decided, to take a one-for-all approach. I decided instead of just the game of competition with all these creatives, why not help them instead.
I founded the creative collective “Community Service” and ever since then, we’ve been curating concerts of all genres (ranging from 100 – 400 attendees per show), promoting freelance creatives in the city via Instagram and Sound Cloud, and even help local musicians and vendors get booked for gigs for concerts and small events throughout Miami.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not. The main struggle of being an entrepreneur in college is time management. From a day to day basis, I have to prioritize whether I should study for a math test coming up or spend the day booking venues and making videos for events.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m mainly known for hosting events, that’s how I get to meet other creatives or they’d just randomly follow me on Instagram. If I’m not doing any event at the moment I just use that time to explore my interests in photography and videography. Also, I’d take that time to research and discover emerging artists not only in Miami but all over the U.S. What makes me proud as a creative is definitely the ability to help others with their talents through networking and marketing.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
What we’re most excited for with Community Service is bringing our concerts and events outside Florida. Working with creatives on a national or a global level is one of many goals for our collective.
Contact Info:
- Email: communitysvc97@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communitysvc/
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/gumthewrapper/
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/communitysvc
Image Credit:
@gumthewrapper, @kalopisaa, @melisus_, @mmbill
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