Blake Ellis

Blake Ellis' distinct love for music brings him to create many projects such as events, modeling and managing artists. He mentions exclusive information about his upcoming clothing line, look book and birthday showcase.

Urban Time: Lets start with your name, age, where you're from and what you do!

Blake Ellis: My name is Blake Ellis, I am 19 years old. I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I attend Georgia State University. I spend my free time curating/hosting events, modeling, designing an upcoming clothing collection. I manage two artists LostCause Mookie and singer Meraki.

Urban Time Magazine: Very well rounded! What made you start all of this and which one came first?

>Blake Ellis: Actually, photography came first then certain people around me helped me realize that I'm more of a contribution in front of the camera rather then behind. Everything else came after September, when I hosted Youth Gala in Atlanta with my bro Kory. It solidified the fact that I have a huge support group and plenty of connections to make things happen.

Urban Time: Tell us about Youth Gala! Was it would you say a turning point? Was it hard organizing everything, from people to promotion to money?

Blake Ellis: Youth Gala was amazing. To sum it up quickly, it was a celebration/showcase for anybody with talent in Atlanta. We had performances, pop up shops from local brands, and also visual art. It was definitely a turning point. As far as the organization and promotion being hard. Very. I started off with a team of 7 "creatives" who were going to help me host it. Ended up with 2. The craziest thing that happened though was the last second venue change. On the morning of, as we'll getting ready for sound checks with the artist. The owner of the first venue cancels on us, after we had paid and everything. Immediately my bro Kory goes next door, finds this secret event hall next door which looked ten times better than the original venue and we ran it and made history there.

Urban Time Magazine: After that you became an event curator?

Blake Ellis: Yeah, after that a few different groups around the city reached out to me to either host something they've had, or help with the entire planning process. So if I'm helping everyone else I might as well do it by myself .

Urban Time Magazine: Did you plan on managing people from that or before? Is there a reason you started?

Blake Ellis: I've always loved music, like I have the deepest passion for it, all genres, but I really don't care to rap. Right before the Gala, when I was selecting performers, I was introduced to LostCause Mook. He's from the same suburban area that I went to high school in before I moved downtown Atlanta for college. It was kind of perfect, he's talented and from the same place as me. I've been trying to find someone from my side that could be productive for years and it happened at the right moment. I told him the ideas I had for his future, he was down and we made it happen. I try to take on a creative director role as well as managing him. Like I said, my passion for music is crazy but with me not being an musical artist, I can still implement all of my crazy ideas through him.

Urban Time Magazine: That's so nice, tell us about your newer artist.

Blake Ellis: My newer artist, Meraki is a female singer. She has a decent following from Milwaukee and travels up there often for shows, I've only been involved with her for about 2 weeks to this day but we have a lot planned for her this year. Her voice is beautiful and her writing is amazing so we're trying to expand her Atlanta base.

Urban Time Magazine: Definitely keep us updated, now you seem to have a lot on your plate from modeling to curating to managing, how does that affect you? Is it stressful? How do you manage your time?

Blake Ellis: I haven't got to the point where my whole life is consumed by it all yet, but I'm pretty sure that point is close. I'm ready for it. As of now, whenever I'm not in classes I'm plotting, working.

Urban Time Magazine: What are some current projects you are working on?

Blake Ellis: The main project I have for myself is a collection a plan on dropping very soon, I haven't released too much information on it but right now doesn't seem like a bad time. My collection is inspired from ancient Japan, as well as containing an apocalyptic aspect that will be clear throughout the promotional stages once I release visuals. I have designs for both men and women. The exact name, I'll release that in a few weeks as well as the Japanese inspired visuals and logo. But for now, everybody keep your eyes open to what's next. March 27th is my birthday and that's when I plan on releasing a few pieces as well as having a showcase for my birthday with everybody that was supposed to perform at my last event, plus some more surprises.  Right now I'm really just focused on Mook's next project, as well as Meraki and getting them involved with as much as possible.

Urban Time Magazine: That's so cool! will the showcase be on your birthday? Any details of it you want to promote for that?

Blake Ellis: Yes, it will either take place on my birthday or just that weekend in general. We're still finalizing all the details but I'll be sure to keep Urban Time and your readers updated.

Urban Time Magazine: Sounds good man! Any inspirations for your work?

Blake Ellis: I always say my main inspiration is Pharrell, the way he carries himself. How he's one of the only people to transition from music to fashion successfully, bro has literally done everything, from his own cologne to even furniture. His legacy is something similar to what I see myself having to do, and eventually overcome. I get from a lot of people that I move in ways similar to him so that's a great start.

Urban Time Magazine: I definitely see you pulling off doing multiple things at once! Is there anything else you want to mention?

Blake Ellis: I just want to mention that I'm down to work with anybody, I see myself as a creative meaning I can contribute to any type of talent in more ways than one. Atlanta is home, that's where I will always put on first but I definitely feel like it's time to spread my name to different cities, I plan on doing events in Texas, Florida, New York and California. Eventually many more places. I'm pretty active on my social networks and can be reached @blxkeellis on Twitter, @BlakeEllis on Instagram, and info.blakeellis@gmail.com for anything, as well as anything regarding my two artists.

Twitter: @blxkeellis

Instagram: @BlakeEllis

info.blakeellis@gmail.com

Interviewer: @b0nsang