Today we’d like to introduce you to Franklin Salcedo.
Hi franklin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I don’t consider myself only a musician. I see myself as a storyteller of human experiences through sound, visuals, and creative direction.
Looking back, everything I’ve done has been connected by the same intention: building emotional bridges. Whether through music, photography, visual storytelling, live performances, or community-driven projects, I’ve always been interested in creating spaces where people can recognize themselves and feel connected to something bigger than their individual experience.
My journey started in Venezuela through formal musical training at the Conservatory and El Sistema, where I studied flute and percussion. Later, I pursued a degree in International Relations and participated in debate competitions that exposed me to different perspectives and ways of understanding the world. Those experiences helped me realize that what fascinated me most wasn’t a specific profession—it was understanding people, culture, and connection.
That curiosity eventually expanded into the visual world. Through Share It Studio, I developed as a creative director, photographer, and videographer, working on projects that took me to conventions across the United States and taught me how powerful storytelling can be when sound and image work together. I’ve always believed that if an idea can’t be seen, it isn’t fully complete.
Over time, music became my primary language, but not my only medium. I began to see songs as emotional vehicles—ways to carry stories, memories, identity, and belonging. That’s the foundation of everything I create today.
After moving to Miami, I continued building that vision through my solo project and as the lead vocalist of Mango & Delay. My work explores themes like transformation, nostalgia, identity, and cultural connection. Projects such as “Casa en Venezuela” have shown me that music can become more than entertainment—it can become a place where people reconnect with who they are and where they come from.
Personal experiences have certainly shaped my journey, but they are not the center of my story. What matters most is what those experiences become. My goal is to transform them into music, visuals, and narratives that help others see themselves, feel understood, and connect with one another.
At the end of the day, I don’t see myself simply as an artist releasing songs. I see myself as a multidisciplinary creator building emotional worlds where people can find a piece of themselves.
Alright, 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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think that’s unique to me. Everyone faces challenges in one form or another. What has made the journey meaningful is not the obstacles themselves, but what I’ve chosen to do with them.
Over the years, I’ve learned that growth rarely comes from the moments when everything is working. Most of the lessons that shaped me came from uncertainty, failed plans, unexpected changes, and projects that didn’t end the way I originally imagined.
One of the biggest shifts in my mindset was understanding that not everything we start is meant to be completed. Sometimes we enter a project, a season of life, or a particular path simply because there is something important we need to learn there. Once that lesson is learned, the real growth comes from having the awareness and courage to move forward rather than forcing something that no longer serves its purpose.
As someone who has worked across music, creative direction, entrepreneurship, and visual storytelling, I’ve had to reinvent myself multiple times. There were moments when things moved slower than expected, moments that required patience, and moments that were simply exhausting on a human level. Those experiences taught me the value of resilience, but also the importance of acceptance.
I used to think success was about pushing through at all costs. Today, I believe wisdom is knowing when to persist, when to adapt, and when to let go. Some of the opportunities I’m most grateful for today exist because I was willing to release something else that had already served its purpose.
Looking back, I wouldn’t describe the challenges as obstacles. I would describe them as teachers. They helped me become a better artist, a better leader, and most importantly, a better human being. Every stage of the journey has contributed something that later became essential for the next chapter, often in ways I couldn’t see at the time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I dedicate my life to creating. More than defining myself by a single profession, I see myself as a creative person who is constantly searching for new ways to express ideas and connect with people. What excites me most isn’t repeating what I’ve already done—it’s discovering something I’ve never created before.
If I had to define what I specialize in, I’d say it’s making music, producing, and performing live. The stage is one of the few places where I feel everything comes together naturally. It’s where the songs stop being mine and become something shared with the audience.
People often know me first as a musician, but I hope they also remember me for the way I approach life. I’ve been fortunate to be part of many different projects throughout my career, and each one has helped shape me—not only as a professional, but as a person.
What truly sets me apart is something very simple. In a city as diverse and competitive as Miami, I believe the most revolutionary thing you can do is listen to your intuition and stay true to your essence. Trends change, industries evolve, but authenticity has a way of lasting. I believe that the more honest we are about who we are, the more unique our work becomes.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, isn’t a destination—it’s a way of experiencing the journey.
I think success is having the courage to keep showing up, to keep creating, and to keep trying as many times as necessary without losing the ability to enjoy the process. I’ve learned that our goals often evolve as we grow, and that’s not failure; it’s part of becoming who we’re meant to be.
If you can wake up every day excited about what you’re building, even while the destination keeps changing, I think you’re already living a successful life.
For me, success isn’t measured only by achievements or recognition. It’s measured by the freedom to stay true to your values, keep learning, and create work that leaves people a little more connected than they were before they experienced it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafablake/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05WzqLqKvjs
