Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Black.
Leo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started producing my own original content ever since YouTube launched in 2006. I was about ten years old writing songs; producing instrumentals, recording tracks, and uploading it to YouTube. As I progressed, I met other musicians and creatives to collaborate with, they showed me how to make music videos and vlogs. I bought a video camera from target and started creating visuals for my music and lifestyle. Over the years, I got better at producing content so I decided to bring other people in, challenging myself to maximize the potential of what the starting foundation could become. I spent my late teens in Abu Dhabi with family to help grow a business we established in Dubai. When returning to The west coast as an adult, curious about the nightlife and turn up. I stumbled upon tech to help get acclimated to Los Angeles. In less than a year I was working with a Fortune 500 tech company and attended over 150 events as ambassador of the brand. The startup favored my diligence so much I represented them on Fox News to highlight its success, we raised over 10 million from venture capitalist that year and did a deal with Live Nation. The CEO was on the advisory board for Groupon so he made a great contribution to its prosperity. Even with that assured impact on the company It was only freelance, I was hungry at large so YouTube Space LA home to the visionary Howard Hughes, played a stupendous part contributing to my producer skills by attending workshops they hosted weekly with in the field instructors who had a abundance of knowledge in film & television. collaborating with like minded creatives made me a team player fundamentally. I managed a crew of 6 and produced videos in the HQ stages, utilizing the RED Ranger with Monstro 8k. As my team grew larger at scale we managed to diversify and challenge ourselves with new content, by that time it was a bidding war, we managed to land a few meetings with several big television studios in Hollywood to expand our budget for new projects, we decided to go with Dame Dash studios for our first venture deal, producing television shows at scale. We recently just finished “The Leo Black Show” Season 2. I have a couple unreleased projects I’m looking forward to debuting in 2020.
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?
There has been times were I felt like I hit a glass ceiling, not because of where I can take it, the sky is the limit for me. I am culture, often challenging myself to take it to the next level in my career. If I can compare myself to any artist it would be Donald Glover. I can lock myself in a music studio and come out with an album, I can lock myself in a television studio and come out with a movie, these skills took me years of experience and being a humble student to acquire, you have to have patience and know when to take advice and when not too. I often feel like my full potential is being overlooked because of a dumbass think they know what my culture wants. Don’t box me in, just give me opportunity to prove myself and watch the snowball effect of my influence manifest. Celebrities and influencers hit my dm all the time and thank me for inspiring them, I have that effect on people and it speaks volume. My drip is for the masses.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a content creator, whether making music, a scripted series, or doing both at the same time. My brand strives for transparency, keeping it one hundred with my supporters so they can learn and grow from me. I’m fresh off two North America tours performing as a dubstep DJ. I signed a deal with “Never Say Die” one of the biggest dubstep labels in the world and executed my half of the deal and more. Soon as I got back to LA, I did a venture deal with hip hop mogul Dame Dash to produce a show and I executed my half of the deal, finishing and releasing the first season in a month. Even though the show is renewed for season 2, I feel like it’s far from the time to celebrate. I hopped right back in writers room and wrote a drama based scripted series. I got a couple offers to film it in Los Angeles so we’ll see what happens. This project I’m also producing the soundtrack to every episode, the scoring is going to make waves, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets recognition from the Oscar academy. Anywhere I work, I first take time to get acclimated to the environment. Thats what takes the longest, I don’t like stepping on people’s toes, I’m respectful and know what it means to work as a team. Someone once told me if you go by yourself you’ll get there faster, but if you go as a team you’ll go further. When I move disruptive there is always people behind the scenes acting as my machine. People who help me maintain my narrative and not be sidetracked by today’s distractions like clout chasers and trolls.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
All of my skills play a significant part in my success, I can’t choose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/leoblxk
- Email: leoblackmgmt@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leoblxk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leoblxk/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/leoblxk
Image Credit:
Apparel: Riddim clothing; Shoes : Garyvee 004 K-swiss
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
