Meet Alton Patton of Lilal Network in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alton Patton.

Alton, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In the early days of my development, I had the privilege of appearing in some commercials, worked as a model, dancer, choreographer, served as a producer, writer, and spokesperson for some PSA (Public Service Announcement) campaigns, was the lead singer in an R&B group, created original music as a singer/songwriter, and behind-the-scenes of all these pursuits, I gradually began to study the mechanics of how each environment functioned.

Essentially, every project was treated like attending a master class. As I continued to evolve and gain exposure to more high-profile settings, the goal became to absorb the intricate nuances of how things worked in a variety of different disciplines and workspaces.

Along the way, I began to hone my voice-over skills and on-air delivery as a presenter/host for television and radio. Learning how to effectively craft and deliver language and messaging to audiences domestically and abroad required an all-encompassing dedication to relentless preparation.

A breakthrough moment seemingly fell from heaven during this period when the opportunity surfaced to host and produce my own little 15-minute segment of music and entertainment as part of a 1-hour radio show in Japan. I scooped this opportunity up like it was the last delicious piece of sweet potato pie at a southern family reunion! I was determined to make something magical out of this small precious window of airtime.

Well, this little window of programming space served as a launching pad for a number of groundbreaking future opportunities that allowed me to blossom as a producer and on-air talent. I began to produce exclusive artist interviews for my own shows, do voice-over work on various projects and campaigns, and play a vital role in helping to start a brand new international radio station in Japan.

On the television front, all of the aforementioned creative labor culminated in serving as co-creator, co-producer, and host of BET’s “Rap City Nihon” (Japan). With this project, I had the honor of making a piece of Hip hop music/entertainment history by introducing to Japanese hip hop fans the American cultural institution known as “Rap City.” Legends like Rakim, LL Cool J, Redman & Method Man, Common, Will Smith, and an array of other rap giants were featured on “Rap City Nihon.”

In fact, I was grateful to conduct the first international interview with an up-and-coming rapper/actor at the time who would go onto achieve critical and commercial acclaim on a massive scale in the worlds of music and movies. The rapper was a Mount Vernon, New York born and Yonkers, New York raised ferocious spitter named Earl Simmons, better known in Hip hop cyphers as DMX.

“Rap City Nihon” was a 2-hour show that aired in Japan four times a day, seven days a week in a deal between Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Direct TV. So, the kid that started with barely 15 minutes of radio airtime in the early days of his career co-created, co-produced, and hosted a show that aired for 56 hours per week during this period.

Hopefully, in some small way, sharing some of these experiences may serve as a source of inspiration for anyone reading this to pursue their goals and aspirations.

In every situation, with every project, I have always been privileged to work with and learn from extraordinarily talented team members. It is precisely these connections that make exponential growth and achievement possible creatively, personally, and professionally.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, the road has not been smooth, and that’s all right. It’s not supposed to be. I treat everything that I’m fortunate to do as a privilege. I passionately believe that achieving excellence is a lifestyle and not something reserved for special moments in time. This is the standard by which I strive to hold myself accountable on a daily basis.

Actually, the notion of a “smooth road” doesn’t even enter my consciousness. There’s simply no space in my spirit for the luxury of that kind of thinking. I remind myself daily that I must make my elders and ancestors proud through my work ethic and by how I treat others in the process. For, it is upon their backs and shoulders that I stand today as a living confirmation that their sacrifices on my behalf were not in vain, but rather a worthy investment of their spiritual and human capital. Because of them, it is possible for me to live my greatest creative visions and aspirations.

In terms of the human condition, I respect the fact that everyone has a different process or approach by which they function to achieve their goals and objectives. In my case, I seek to focus intensely on “project completion.” Therefore, for me, investing spiritual, physical, and intellectual energy in anything other than doing what is required to navigate a project to completion is an inexcusable distraction and a detrimental mismanagement of time and resources.

In order to concentrate at an optimum level of creativity and productivity, the notion of comfort, convenience, or having a “smooth road” by which to accomplish an objective must be absent from my train of thought. The real attention is always geared exclusively toward doing the work.

While doing the work, I’m relentlessly devoted to ensuring that every person with whom I’m collaborating knows that they are valued and appreciated. It is critically important to me that anyone in my presence feels genuinely uplifted and encouraged to be their best personally and professionally. This energy is infectious and takes on a life of its own that empowers people to thrive.

As for struggles, I quickly learned many moons ago that there’s no official blueprint for how best to deal with heartbreak, disappointment, and discouragement within the context of creative and professional pursuits. For example, beyond the obvious legal norms, what is an effective response when one is not paid on-time, grossly underpaid, or not paid at all for services rendered?

How does one respond when an individual or group with whom one is working agrees upon a particular course of action for executing project objectives and then does something completely different than the agreed upon plan without proper consent? How does one respond to a lack of follow-up and/or follow through with key tasks regarding a project?

Well, the harsh reality is that all of the scenarios mentioned above, along with scores of other similarly frustrating situations, are unfortunately predictable challenges that can permeate the terrain of any work setting. Therefore, acquired skills through varied experiences can better equip oneself to effectively navigate around these types of challenges in the healthiest way possible while still taking projects to completion.

Ultimately, what I discovered about my own creative process as a professional quite some time ago is that nothing is more important to me than how people are treated. The most proactive way to minimize counterproductive collaborative outcomes is to create a safe space for others to express themselves in a genuine fashion. In addition, I developed the capacity to foster relationships with those who understand, appreciate, and compliment the way in which I strive to engage the humanity of those with whom I am working.

Consequently, the notion of “struggle” is neutralized to a great extent, and energy is invested where it should be – on doing the work and positioning others to feel great about themselves in the process.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lilal Network – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Our vehicle is called the Lilal Network (pronounced Lye’Lul), which stands for “Life is Learning and Loving.”

Lilal Network provides entertainment news/information, exclusive interviews, special event coverage, and programming for multi-media platforms. (TV, Radio, Online, etc.)

L.N. also provides Creative Consultation and Project Liaison support services.

Lilal Network radio programming has been featured in international markets including:
> United Arab Emirates/UAE (Virgin Radio Dubai)
> Australia (The Edge 96.1)
> Europe & the United Kingdom (Choice FM, Capital FM, BBC Radio)
> Japan (Love FM/Int’l FM, Cross FM, FreeWave FM)
> USA (ARN – American Radio Network)

“FaceTime with Alton” is a Lilal Network produced TV/Online show which features one-on-one exclusive interviews with innovators, newsmakers, and celebrities.

‘Sources of Pride’

Alton Patton, III of the Lilal Network is honored to have served as the producer of one of the theatre world’s most provocative and inspiring new original works titled “The Fertile River” written by phenomenal American playwright Vincent Terrell Durham. “The Fertile River” explores the devastating impact of the “Eugenics Movement” on some of America’s most vulnerable citizens.

The Lilal Network is also immensely proud of providing programming for the new radio outlet 99Three FM KJBU (RhythmoftheCoast.com) based in Oxnard/Ventura County, California. 99Three FM KJBU is only the third African American owned radio station in the state of California.

Among the Lilal Network produced live broadcast specials featured on 99Three FM KJBU are:
> “Ready For Roll Call” – A call to action for voter registration and voter education featuring special guests.
> “Intimate Conversations/Inspiring Reflections” – A live broadcast series of exclusive interviews featuring renowned figures sharing personal insights gained from their respective journeys and offering inspirational nuggets of empowerment.

“Ready For Roll Call” Specials:
> “Ready For Roll Call” – A Tribute to Chadwick Boseman featuring Oscar Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning actor James Cromwell & Actress Llogan Peters (Class of 2021) from the Howard University School of Fine Arts in Washington, D.C.
> “Ready For Roll Call” featuring American pioneer Dr. Eugene Spencer, Jr. – Author of “Mississippi Born/California Bound: How Jim Crow and Racism Lost To a Family Legacy”

“Intimate Conversations/Inspiring Reflections” has featured exclusive live broadcast specials featuring:
> Bill Duke – Legendary actor, director, & author (Black Lightning, CW)
> Obba Babatunde – Emmy Award-winning actor, dancer, singer (The Bold & the Beautiful/CBS, S.W.A.T./CBS, Dreamgirls – Original Broadway Production)
> Keith Robinson – Award-winning actor & singer/songwriter (Dreamgirls – Movie, Saints & Sinners/Bounce TV)
> Logan Browning – NAACP Image Award-nominated actress (Dear White People/Netflix, Hit The Floor/VH1)

‘The Difference/Set Apart’

Ultimately, the goal of the Lilal Network is to pour into the spirits of those with whom we are privileged to work an enduring sense of uplifting energy, a powerful affirmation of self-worth, and an inspired purpose-driven vision for their respective skills, crafts, and forms of art.

By approaching our endeavors in this manner, we are constantly engaged in serving the greater good of humanity as the norm and not the exception. All of this comes out in the work. Audiences feel it. Crew members feel it. Production teams feel it. The better we FEEL about ourselves and our HUMANITY, the greater the art and level of unlimited creativity the planet receives as a result.

In terms of the big picture, the Lilal Network’s principal aspiration is to manifest this mode of operation as an infectious model for how others may strive to function in their own creative and professional spaces.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Though I am not at liberty to speak about many of the exciting projects that are currently in the works because they have not been made public yet, I am able to share that I’m greatly looking forward to some forthcoming endeavors affiliated with our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa.

In addition, there are some pretty dope things on the horizon related to film, music, theatre, spoken word poetry, and some other creative multimedia spaces that I really feel audiences will appreciate domestically and globally.

I also look forward to continuing to support education initiatives that promote and facilitate civics/government studies, financial literacy & entrepreneurship, foreign language/international studies, as well as S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related academic programs for all students, especially those in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Moreover, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I passionately look forward to continuing to support and build-up African American owned entities like 99Three FM KJBU (RhythmoftheCoast.com).

As we move further into this new century, it is of critical significance that Black-owned businesses of every sector grow and thrive in order to close the staggering racial wealth gap that persists in the US today. As a result, new models of sustainable generational wealth can be developed on a scale that will provide more access to upward-mobility-opportunities for scores of children and families who otherwise might be left behind or left out altogether.

I look forward to continuing to work relentlessly to inform, inspire, empower, and uplift people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds through shepherding my Lilal Network projects to fruition. Through the sacrifices, guidance, and love of my elders and ancestors, it is a privilege to do so.

Contact Info:

• Email: Lilalntwk@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Jaquan Barnett (Beautiful Noize Ent.), Reggie Simon (Simon Vision Media)

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