Antwon LeMonte Smith Brown - Blaquestar ALSB September 8, 2026

Conversations with Antwon LeMonte Smith Brown – Blaquestar ALSB

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antwon LeMonte Smith Brown – Blaquestar ALSB.

Hi Antwon LeMonte, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Happy Fashion Week, LA Voyager Magazine readers, followers, fans, and World!! OMG, Hollywood! If you don’t know me, my name is Antwon LeMonte Smith-Brown. And I go by Blaquestar ALSB as a professional recording artist, music producer/composer, writer, and reconstructive designer. While I love to do so much in the arts, I am working on building my brand expression and sharing my story to highlight the goodness and grace that has been placed on my life. It’s been such an honor to be offered this absolutely fantastic means of local brand and artistic promotion. Thank you so much, LA Voyager, for inviting me back for another segue of Living My Life In SUDUKUU. Brought to you by SUDUKUU ALSB LLC. A brand that stays uplifting!

I am glad to be on a great wave of building and sculpting my brand, music, art, healing, and living with my heart. Los Angeles has been full of so many good moments! I am so ready for even more of those good moments to accomplish! Speaking of accomplishments, I started filming myself some when I first moved to Los Angeles, while I am at home reconstructing and compiling ideas for my design templates. At first, it was a bit of a challenge to find an area or space where I could be imperfect but still make something perfect or at least close to it. And use it to manifest something in my life and in others’ lives. A fashion look that always, books. I had been thinking of the Film Production degree program, in which I am currently enrolled. And since I have had a long-time passion for fashion. I am now thinking of exploring Fashion Design for my business growth, possibly after I finish school at LA Film. It’s not the first time I’ve thought about Fashion Design, as in studying to be a legit fashion designer, yet I am compiling so much media of myself and my art and feel that a program focusing on a detailed and structured career plan would arm me for the business in real life.

OMG, you guys, I just remembered that I have also been on like so many film productions since my last degree program until now. Below, I have a link where you can view some of my most recent music and media assignments and small self- and co-produced film documentary projects.

And I feel like I just got here the other day. *insert a Huge smile and giggle* It will be just two years for me as a new California resident on September 17th, 2026. Two years ago, I landed here with a laundry list of things to get in order, and just like that, God made a way for me! From meeting one of the coolest and most dedicated independent Black business CEOs I know here in LA, Mr. Clayo Hughes and his company Lemon Supreme LA, to Hadrian Hisao and Hadrian Home LLC, to working federal work-study at LA Film as a recent graduate with production credits and job placement with some of the best individuals to work with at Sequoia Productions. Side note: I have to say, Airbnb was a great choice for my first few months here. Check it out if you haven’t already. Ha. But if you’re looking for a more affordable yet still Airbnb-style, send me a direct email, and I can give you the real tea, my hunty. I’m just saying I have learned that LA is a big city, with astronomical prices for new places, so finding an affordable place for an artist is a SUPREME need! And tea is good- solitude, yes indeed, but I do like to share the tea!

As I think and write… So I am fearlessly moving along in love, joy, and happiness, and I have to say not everything is always sunshine and rainbows, and I know that, but I guess that’s why I like to be loving, joyful, happy, and sing about each of them when I have a moment to. But I think we should all find something to be happy and thankful for, even if it’s something that only you may know. So finding joy is no longer a chore to anyone. I used to dread organizing and folding clothes as a child, and then something clicked for me to understand what accountability meant for me and to make sure I could account for all of the clothes I wanted for the week. Or a month. My parents made sure we had as many nice outfits to choose from as one of seven children. My parents cared for each of us in our own way. And even back then, I loved to look good. I loved colors, flowers, stars, patterns, shapes, and purple. I loved and still do suits and dress clothes.

And to be completely transparent, I was not a cheap child. I have always had expensive taste. I just think of the things my parents may have said when I was choosing shoes at the famous Footwear department store. I am too picky; that is too expensive, or those are probably girls’ shoes, Antwon. Well, either way, one day, or at some point in my adolescence, I learned to be thankful for all of my things and clothes because so much thought went into making sure I was happy, clothed, and cared for. I grew up around a lot of wise and God-fearing people, and I have always appreciated my elders for more than just the eagerly expected allowance I used to get for chores and singing. And sometimes even cheerleading and step dancing. What I am saying is that I am now much more thankful for the small things because the small things make up the big things we love in life. Oddly enough, I love folding and organizing my closet and drawer sets at home.

And I have to say I get pretty good reviews! – Thanks for the lesson on modesty, Ian. So I am gon make it and give it, thanks. I have also been thankful for my living situation here in LA, and the weather. The joy and the heat! Either way, I am happy.

It’s just there when you need it! Joy, I mean. So this music and my experiences here have already changed the way I think about myself and the way I think about and see others. Some of the people around town, in the city, I see may need help in life, and some may be just fine. I have moments when I feel too much for other people who may be struggling and want to help. Sometimes I notice it could be when I am unable to fully, I guess, but I am learning that my time to help myself is for me, and to leave that separate from helping others because I won’t be able to be of any service if I haven’t helped and taken care of my own needs first. Sometimes I wonder how many times people cross paths without trying to plan? This is a big city. I feel it may take time for that to be a reality, but I would imagine that I could cross paths with someone I can help again, one day. But for now, I have begun my journey of building more time for myself and the things I love to do, and healing from situations that did not and do not serve me. I am happy to be alive and well. I am also proud that I have made it this far in my career and life because there are times when recognition of my small accomplishments can really hold space for bigger and better accomplishments in life.

A lot of the images, video footage, and media here and linked to other sites in this issue are all part of an artistic collaboration and/or professionally taken by photographers affiliated with The Los Angeles Film School, Planet Queer, and The Center Hollywood. There are a few other really amazing artists who helped me bring most of the production to life. You will be introduced to them shortly.

Okay, just a quick segue, real quick: The Denzel Parris Fashion Show was a fabulous and rewarding experience for me. I walked wearing a really cool and slick denim look. I looked so good!!! OMG, the show was amazing. And it was for a great cause to help heal others, and I am so down for that! Maribo Cares was the foundation that Denzel raised relief funds for its cancer research and rehabilitation programs. It was a blessing to be part of the whole production. The production team and event space were stellar. So many great memories made with Monica Guevara and Denzel Parris. OMG!! There were so many gorgeous models and fabulous attendees. Denzel and Monica are the hottest and the most kind-hearted, creative/business couple and business/financial mentors to follow that I can ask for.

We all had a Zoom back earlier this year, and I’ve been able to learn more about their companies and network. As I write this story, some ideas are coming to mind. But please, check them out! Denim has always been one of my favorite fabrics to work with, as well as leather. I am still so inspired by some of my first runway experiences here in Los Angeles at Fashion Week LA and Anime Los Angeles. I walked for two amazing fashion labels: Venia Collection and Phlemuns. Check out some of my looks in their fashion line collections on their sites and socials. Links to their work are in the links section. I love being able to emulate my passions on the runway in other designers’ work. Denim, leather, really interesting shapes, and sleek styling. I was able to incorporate elements into my design templates. It’s all been manifesting so well.

While I have been making moves here in LaLa Land, I have been so fortunate to meet some of my closest and caring industry friends to date. We have all collaborated on or have works in production, but please catch up with these amazing artist and check out some of their solo music and content!

Shout-out to my friends Lora Vlad, Graham Gestin, Kemara Knight, Blake Diaz, Su Grace, Mayan Agot, Jae Allidean, Ace Chupina AKA Exitphobia, Misha Josephs, Red Square, Xavi (Xavi-J) Jhon-Clair, DXN Music, Cap Sharron, Apollo Six with A6ix Records, Money Mitch, CHAD!, and Harry P, Christina Tracy, Tori Maxwell, Tania Chirno, Caroline Azer, Matthew Castillo, Joy William AKA Joy + Soul Music, Evie Smith AKA Evie Stacks and Denzel Parris. By the way, thank you all for everything, always, and please know I love you all!

Their links are listed in the link section. So many people to be thankful for, and for those people, I am thankful to be thankful for the others I have met through networking. SUDUKUU! Take a look at some of the images and media from my brand shoot with Ian Phillips, and keep an eye out for more of SUDUKUU ALSB LLC’s written production of Living My Life In SUDUKUU ALSB. Thank you all for reading! – ALSB

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been going great, and yes, there have been some challenges, but Serve Uniqueness, Dare Unity, and Kindly Uplift Us- I will do… That is what my brand stands for. And I am staying optimistically focused on whatever is good. The things I love to create and do, trusting in God and knowing that He will help make my dreams come true!

So, beautiful beings, I am back with an uplifting story to bring some inspiration, encouragement, and SUDUKUU to all of you! If I missed a call or text, Happy Easter, Happy Memorial Day, Happy Summer, Happy Pride, Happy Juneteenth, Happy Birthday, and Happy Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse. And just Happiness to you, your family, and loved ones! This season of my studies and creative endeavors has been off to an amazing start. And speaking of starting, this year’s Fall/Winter Fashion Week marked the start of the fashion reconstructive production for my brand, SUDUKUU ALSB, and I opened my online boutique this past June! If you haven’t visited my site, you’ll find more artistically curated editorials specifically highlighting me, my brand services, and merch.

Okay, so, getting back to the scoop, since my latest story was published in SD Voyager Magazine in April of 2026, in the online magazine world, my ideas and hard work began to manifest so fast as my graduation approached this past May. I am so thankful for everything. Well, to bring you all up to speed, back in September of 2024, I moved here for school and business. I completed a year-and-a-half Associate’s degree program at the Los Angeles Film School, focusing on Music Production at the Los Angeles Recording School. I am amazed at myself, while learning to run a small business, at the amount of hard work and dedication I have put into producing my very first works. The first single I released, “I Got The Power” by Blaquestar ALSB, is live now on all music streaming platforms under my production label. This is a feeling I am never going to forget or take for granted because now I can fuel my own creative and business passions through my professional career development at LA Film and really great fashion business contacts. The education, networking contacts, and talent at LA Film have been paramount to the many goals I have accomplished during my time here in Los Angeles. I have had a few really cool job opportunities, but getting to places more than an hour and a half away has been a huge challenge, and that’s how far all the beaches are. You’ll understand more later, but…

The tasks of owning a business have been very serious but insightful and educational. Still, as I learn, I am putting my education into practice. Before graduation in May 2026, I was getting acquainted with building my site and managing event bookings and open mics.

Also, I was backlogging my live performances for my production and music royalties when I had the esteemed pleasure of meeting a fellow artist at the NextGEN Live Showcase, held at The Los Angeles Film School on March 24th, 2026. It was a blast, and I had never hosted a professionally run showcase all by myself before, here in LA, and I nailed it!

While preparing for the event at home, I had been sewing and reconstructing new design templates for my “Reconstructed Closet Boutique” services, which are now available on my site. So, needless to say, my studio space looked like a patchwork and quilted tapestry for weeks, but I got to work and styled up some looks you can see on my Instagram. You can also see videos of the show and more. One of the big tasks on my production list was to have my garments photographed for my site. Professional, simple, and authentic. I’m a performer and actor at heart. I love the camera, and I am loving myself more as I transform into the creative I’ve always wanted to be viewed as. I had spoken to a few really awesomely talented photographers who definitely had intrest in working together and are very talented, but I hadn’t yet made a decision. Full disclosure, I wanted to work with all of them. But alas, it was time to clean up. As this fabulous night of hosting a showcase featuring stellar artists and musicians came to an end, a really dope individual approached me and congratulated me on my show. We shook hands, exchanged names, and chatted it up for a bit. As we sort of connected about social media, websites, and other means of networking, little did I know that a few weeks down… On the road to the red carpet, I’d be shooting my first-ever SUDUKUU ALSB brand editorial with Ian Phillips. OMG. Not only is Ian a really phenomenal Photographer, Art Director, and Creative, but he is a fantastic artist. Ian Phillips is based here in Los Angeles. He has experience in the real world of magazine editorial production and portrait photography. His work is more than brilliant; it’s real and unique.

You can find out more about Ian Phillips and his photography in the links below, where his site and socials are listed. For now…

More about how we met: Ian, being such a chill-souled and relaxed guy, especially the night we met, mentioned at the NextGEN Live Showcase mixer that he was pretty good at photography. When I asked to see his portfolio and/or website, he told me he was working on reconnecting himself in the industry and that his socials had minimal content. People sometimes take breaks from the industry for many different reasons, but having the courage, bravery, and drive to return to the entertainment industry is a huge accomplishment. I speak from personal experience and also second-hand knowledge. Social media has always been a touchy subject for some artists, as well as websites and creative content. Before, I felt that maybe Instagram wasn’t always the best way to connect with someone. But some would definitely say differently about it.

So we swapped numbers instead, old-school vibes. He also said that he liked my look and that we could create some great images/art together. I loved the sound of that, obviously. He said he would send me his photography website, and we shook hands again, and I began to speculate how good he meant by “pretty good” and whether he made a modest understatement or if he was conveying something else. But as we talked with others who were also meeting and networking, I chuckled a bit, mainly from the excitement for the night and that Ian possibly could have been as famous as Diane Warren yet just be so chill and awesome about it. This is what I have been able to see in my time living here in LA. We are all born superstars! There was so much to do and so many others to congratulate; I also had to pack up my SUDUKUU ALSB dressing room, OMG! If you know me, you know I don’t really ever pack light. LOL. So we exchanged names one more time, parted ways for the rest of the evening, and made sure to stay in touch.

Well, after that NextGEN Live, so many good things had already happened, and I had been producing music and working with so many other talented and gifted professionals that the weeks seemed to speed up, and before I could blink, I was walking across the graduation stage in May. Some of my friends from the artist house I live in came out to support me. That fast, I had earned a full degree in my most favorite craft and art medium. MUSIC. PRODUCTION. WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!! So I’m now a professional-level music producer and composer! OOOOMMMMGGGGG!!! Umm… well, there is so much that I want to do and have been working to make sure it all gets done, and so I guess this is EXACTLY what I am made to do. God IS GOOD! Thank you LA FILM and Recording Schools!!!

Wait just one moment while I werk a praise in on how God has been so good to me, and how everything has just been aligning. I have been working on really awesome music; if you’ve read my past stories, I have mentioned working with Bobby Ortiz from Mix Wizards Studios, Christopher Espinoza AKA YungChris Beats, from SevenFourteen Publishing, Jonathan Ocana, Reynaldo Gallardo, Jordan Martinez, Audio Production seniors and graduates of The Los Angeles Film & Recording School. Amongst those really awesome mentors and creative partners, I have also been working with a few other really amazingly talented and gifted musicians. New and Unique artists such as Lora Vlad, Graham Gestin, Kemara Knight, Blake Diaz, Su Grace, Mayan Agot, Jae Allidean, Ace Chupina AKA Exitphobia, Misha Josephs, Red Square, Xavi (Xavi-J) Jhon-Clair, DXN Music, Cap Sharron, Apollo Six with A6ix Records, Money Mitch, CHAD!, and Harry P. So many works in the works and productions to be turnt! Also, YungChris Beats and SevenFourteen Publishing just dropped their newest works featuring Xhante and King Brown! The song is called Slide Thru, and you can find it on all music streaming platforms. It’s a real Bop! I love it! Have a listen as well.

A slew of really great film collabs have been a huge thing this past year- well, since I’ve moved here, really. Okay, let me remind you and myself. LOL. So I just released my first-ever single, which will be featured on my first-ever album and EP. All My Love To The Hues Of Humanity. The song is called “I Got The Power”. And it’s all bout my relationships with dance, fashion, music, art, and some of my deepest moments with God. I get to sing and lift up any and everything and have it brought to the throne in boldness. It’s a poem of empowerment and manifestation for anyone would want to accomplish anything in their lives. Something I feel we all can relate to.

The song, I Got The Power, was written, composed, and co. produced by me, Xavi-J, and fellow students at the Los Angeles Recording School. I had the pleasure and honor of recording that song at the LA Recording School, where I earned my associate’s degree. Just a thought: working on a real recording DAW system and engineering a large console, like I get to see some of my peers do when I am recording, is still scary to me. Even after I have done it before! As music technology and software evolve, engineering is still going to be a part of my journey while I am here in my next program. I am going to get it, and as for everything else in this program and my last degree program, I am learning as I go. I am learning what a rolling deadline means in production. It’s a pretty standard thing from what I have learned.

Okay, so, segueing back to the story, one early morning, while on a small break from my overnight assignment, work, and study session at home, I thought to myself as I glanced at Ian’s information on my phone later that week. “For some reason, I think this is the guy who is going to shoot some of my favorite images EVER.” In my head, I kept replaying the fact that I would have, and did, change into 6 different looks, all differently reconstructed and styled by me; my brand and likeness and style. And for this production, I didn’t have to ask for permission to borrow garments or take a long train ride to “pull” looks from a closet or rent pieces from a studio. I felt like I’ve taken so many steps, and at times I feel I’m at speed with what God has planned for me. This was going to happen. Make it happen, as Mariah Carey says. So I was like, Ian said he was pretty good at photography. And I was like, well, I feel like God wouldn’t just send a pretty good photographer my way; they have to be great. Right? Because that is what I need at this moment. So I was like, I can’t really take this guy too seriously, or maybe I will have to… But when I loaded up his website on my browser, I was very, I was more than impressed; I gasped and laughed at how much of an UNDERSTATEMENT Ian gave off at the NextGEN Live Showcase. OMG!

Y’all, I was elated with joy and very flattered that he was the first to approach me about shooting. I have to say that it hasn’t been like this a few times, but when networking, WERKS. It WORKS, as Prince says. I love that song! And that just meant to me that I was WERKING it, as Peppermint taught me. She is a real “working girl”. Check out Miss Peppermint on all social and music platforms when you have a moment, and you need to let out the working tea and excuse your beauty! When you listen to her, you will know what I mean. #translivesmatter

So, yet again, needless to say, I was so down to create and build some works with Mr. Ian Phillips. I immediately started to think of what I still needed to prep and what I wanted to wear and wanted to make, as in “Imma Make Dis” in time that would be ready, in time for whatever day we chose to shoot… OMG, in my head, I was like, “How am I going to make this werk work with classes?” Ian is professional, and I have to be on point! Full disclosure, I’m still working out some of my shyness to sketch my look book pieces, but I have, through the miracle of my brain and God, been and am still able to construct pieces from just seeing them and cutting them up. So many of the really amazing pieces that you will see are a muse for other pieces I made and are similar to clothes in anyone’s closet who may want to reconstruct a choice garment of their own. It’s like thrifting in your own closet! And it’s free. So I went deep-diving thrifting in my closet upstairs and took a moment to get in gear. I prepared my design station and organized the gems, jewels, and other accessory pieces to work on. I made sure that some of the jewelry for sale, which I will get to later, would be made in time and also that I would have a few outfits to perform in and be seen in. To me, it’s a normal thing to do; fashion and my style have always been a way to speak and express my artistic journey and life. So I wanted to make it matter to me and look great. I looked through my closet and was in a really familiar stance or pose from modeling, and gazed at each piece like I was wearing them all on my head one at a time, switching them in and out, and layering them and sort of building a design or look that was comfortable and what I knew I’d feel amazing in. After about an hour, I would choose a few pieces to reconstruct and make them new again. A lot of the looks I’ve worn over the past year and a half, for all of my NextGEN Live Events, have been SUDUKUU ALSB reconstructed closet pieces. One day, I want to do SUDUKUU ALSB for other closets and for other people. Remake clothing and sell one-of-a-kind jewelry, shoes, and accessories. As I grow my business, I also want to use the revenue to promote community restoration and outreach. Like some of the outreach programs I am currently networking and collaborating with here in Los Angeles. You, fabulous readers and viewers, will be able to see me, Antwon AKA Blaquestar ALSB, in action with some of the best and most fearless, empowering, and beautiful people here in town. Doing what we love to do. To make a difference in our community.

But for now, I was getting ready for Ian and our shoot. I had jewelry to make and gems and jewels to sew on, ya’ll. Yet, in the midst of my segue to the left about life, I managed to get a late bite to eat, cooked in the air fryer. I also like to drink freshly juiced juice. Thank you, Amazon Prime and Trader Joe’s! I was a bit famished, so I took a break. This is like an every-night kind of thing for me, so take it how you will.

As I finished my meal and cleaned up after myself, I went back to my assignment, paused, and thanked God for helping me bring this all together. I was just about finished with my assignment and had time to go back over to my desk and take one more look at my fabrics and garment choices from my closet, and I was satisfied with it all. I hurried, finished my assignment, and got right to work. I work overnight a lot, and I love to stay up and organize, clean, and make sure I have everything I need. I was so eager to make this shoot happen and, all the while, trying to tie in all of my projects- music videos, stage shows, art gallery openings, fashion week, fashion docu-film, feature films, homework assignments, and production list; I had to take a moment to be thankful again that I had actually written everything down. Thank you, professors! Sidebar- I think my professors would have a full story for each one and each term about how impressive each of them has been at The Los Angeles Film and Recording School.

I gave thanks again. Then, I started to go back and forth, and before I made a decision to cut my first piece, I remembered one of my favorite one-of-a-kind pieces I had already reconstructed a few months back and went upstairs to grab it from the closet. I went back downstairs and started working. [ *insert breath in happiness] The jewelry, hunty, the leather, the gems, the jewels, the paint. And the crystals, the denim, and the African print swatches from Temu here were starting to move around in my head. Hitting moments of Afro rock glam prints, Western European-influenced leather, Central Asian fashion art and geometric shapes and tapestries as well, and golden, silver, chrome, wood, glass, and brass accents with influence from Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Rome, Greece, the Pacific Islands, and Mexico. The shapes and cuts have all come out beautifully, like art, but I have a long way to go to get to Fashion Week. And when I say Fashion Week, I mean a runway with other models in my designs. One day I will get there. I feel like I may need to do some studies in that department as well…

But for the time being, I like to start reconstructing with a few things out of place, I guess. Sometimes I like to stand, and sometimes I like to sit. And I am also finding new ways to work on painting and editing. Food near. Phone nearby, and also water or freshly juiced juice in proximity. I also needed to restart building my site with my newer domain name. In July 2025, I purchased an LLC license for SUDUKUU ALSB LLC and am now the SUDUKUU ALSB LLC registered agent. Updated my company name and professional and legal names. Trademarked my brand, and I purchased a subscription through DistroKid with Bandzoogle, and it’s been pretty stellar thus far. I like the ease and professional look of their site templates. I am seeing that, with so many creative elements to think about, sometimes I grow shy about filming myself, but I have to say that my current Film Production program has been so helpful for me in building confidence to keep my nerves calm on sets. But I do have some very candid footage. I will do my best next time to set up a camera to film my design reconstruction “moments”; until then, please enjoy the links below highlighting some of the looks reconstructed last year during my music production degree program.

After a few days of working on working on everything, Ian and I connected and planned our shoot. There were going to be two editorial stories, one featuring an array of different artists and professionals I’ve met while here in LA.

Okay, now, these images!!!!! The pants!!! I have a really awesome housemate who is a professional painter, and he granted me the liberty to use some of his paints and mentor me a bit as he works on some of his own works. I gathered up a few of his suggestions for painting on fabrics and took some time to think about what I wanted to paint. I had only been looking at gems and jewels in my dreaming times at home late at night, so I couldn’t help but paint those because I am always looking at them. I also have some other ideas I may paint for another pair on paint. That’s all I will say for now, on the pants you see, but this shoot was so much fun and such a breeze to actually do. Especially when I learned, then decided that the shoot just needed to be Ian and me shooting. So there was a huge debacle with transportation, and I needed to postpone a portion of my shoot with Ian, and a small crew and cast of artists/ models. It’s really expensive, OMG, so I am working on that part, but to be continued on more SUDUKUU ALSB LLC jewelry merch editorials.

There are times when trying to pull together elements without a full financial budget can be challenging. I learned that the best thing to do is roll with the good options to keep the production on the road. I say learned because I realized that while becoming a producer, I have so many small things to account for in managing a crew and/or cast of artists and models who need to be cared for and feel safe while in my company. So, after a few months last year, while meeting in the studio with Jonathan Ocana, Zoom sessions with YungChris Beats, The Gold Gala, Weho Pride, the Grammy U Mentorship Program, and the Grammys, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, FIFA! 2026, and several other amazing opportunities I have been a part of. I have been working on getting myself where I need to be and at the time I need to be there, and I can walk any runway and maybe a jetway, like, JK, but LA is not a walking city at all. LOL. The one thing I want to help my cast and crew with: transportation.

Aside from the issue of securing a comparably-sized vehicle to transport everyone and everything for the shoot, planning and organizing was like a familiar but also interestingly fun experience for me. I have been a muse for myself at times, and sometimes I look at my own images and see something straight away, or sometimes it’ll take years for me to see what I want to convey or wanted to convey at the time of the shoot. Modeling opened a lot of doors for soft or unspoken expression; around the right energies, some can offer wisdom and resources to help anyone who may need a spiritual or mental uplifting and a surge of good energy. But alas, the second part of my brand services shoot for SUDUKUU ALSB LLC had to be postponed. I have some really awesome visual narrative concepts I’ve worked on up until this past term;

Be sure to check it out when you have time. So a few days before the shoot, I decided to minimize the production and focus on just me and my brand development relationship. I also really want to pay other artist who would give their time and artistry to my project’s brand. But one day at a time in Hollywood, on the road to the red carpet.

One reason is that I am working on a way to help bring together all walks of life to build inclusion and awareness for my brand motto, Serving Uniqueness, Daring Unity, and Kindly Uplifting Us, and also because some familiar faces and names may be in my Sandwich Squad Outreach Video. I would love to have a SUDUKUU ALSB care kit to give to charities. This is a big dream, I know, but I am destined to make it happen. One of the groups at LA Film has been so inspirational in many ways, just like other organizations I have served in community restoration and outreach. I want to do that for others. Have always been inspired to do so. Just this past July, I accepted a leadership role in the Los Angeles Film School Q+MMUNITY Club. Right now, there are only a few members in the club, and they span across the USA as online students of LA Film and Recording. I’ll be highlighting SUDUKUU ALSB LLC’s collaboration with The Center Hollywood, community locals and professionals, Q+MMUNITY Club in a really fun philanthropic opportunity in the link section. One thing I know, there are a lot of soup kitchens and havens here in Los Angeles. Sometimes I even needed to visit one. A lot of people I have met here love donating their free time to charity and/or a local soup kitchen. Giving back is a big part of California, and it just so happens to be one of the things that make me happy. That idea is part of my brand expression: community restoration collaborations. I may not have much myself, some may think, but I know that some people have less than I do. But God is good, and I know He will provide. So I hope this all works out the way I want it to next time. I went through a lot of calls and brainstorming sessions with my friend Christina. She is a Godsend because sometimes I get overwhelmed. Sometimes things don’t go the way I need, but I am the only person for a lot of the departments that make up a production crew, and it can be a bit of a juggle, and it can be easy to get mixed up at times for me. So, Christina just so happened to have time on the phone, and we chatted it and she helped me put a few ideas into perspective. She helped calm my nerves because I may have forgotten something, as well as throwing the most outlandish, bold ideas to help me uplift my mind away from over-analysing the challenging stuff. She is funny and a fabulous supermodel. I met her at the Denzel Parris Fashion Show casting back in March. I went to Denzel Parris’s model casting to be considered as a model for his fashion line. I had been connected to Mr. Parris through Mr. Kevin Platt AKA K.P. The Phenomenal. He is a legend in the business at many top levels of the Entertainment business. And he just so happens to be a peer student of mine! The hallways of my school have seen some of the best creatives in this world. And I know there are so many more to see, including Mr. K.P. Check him out when you get a chance in the links section. I am also very sure that the LA Voyager community has heard of this legendary human! He’s a dope producer and recording artist! The same goes for so many of those I have been connected to in Hollywood.

Okay, now, back to the day of the shoot, I had gone through so many themes and concepts for my first shoot and sort of just naturally landed on the very first idea I had in my head. And Ian actually was right in tune. The feeling I was aiming for was being on stage, conveying that my voice and expression are heard through my clothes, shoes, and jewelry. I have always been a person who sees the best in everyone when I can take them in, and sometimes people shade me for being too kind or friendly to someone who may just need someone to listen to or call when they need to laugh. Rose colored eyes have been something I’ve been told before, and I am okay with that. I remember several times on stage when I have been lit for a show or concert, and which lighting hues looked best on me. And although I love every color in the rainbow. I love to see myself in a beautiful rose colored hue. I think on stage, sometimes when I may only have to sing or dance, the other gift rests while the audience takes in other elements of the production or show. Through theater, I became a teaching artist and dance teacher for private and public charter schools, dance studios, and colleges. People may know that about me here, but not that it was/is a theme in my visual narrative for my brand. But it’s a kind of easy thing for me. So, I kept going with more streamlined ideas that seemed better for me at the moment. I kept going and still have those streamlined ideas now, but now the original idea is back, and I am happy because now I can go with my original idea, like before.

So I have to say I technically didn’t remember if I shared my original idea with Ian when we met, but I possibly could have described it to him; for some reason, our shoot ended up very similar to what I described and also had already changed from my website prior. So the next shoot is the next time for those new ideas, I guess.

When I arrived at the building, we set up the area, and Ian made sure to bring everything in his studio down to the shooting site. I took a moment to set up my tables and steam my garments; they were wrinkled from the travel over to his place. At that point in my long overnight homework and reconstructive session, the train ride was literally the coolest part of my day. Ir was hot and humid everywhere but the lobby. Ian took a trip to get some juice and water from the store. And I stood in front of the fan. lol. The food I carried with me was calling my name. When I get an idea, I love to work on it right away, or I may forget and work on something else, but I am also always okay with a happy mistake because I can get a lot more elements right. It turns out great as well because I always have options to mix and match, like the garments you will see in my styling. Each piece I made for myself can be worn separately. They can also be worn in layers. I can take anyone’s extra clothes, lightly worn but sort of boring clothes, and switch them up and reconstruct a really cool personalized look for each individual. It’s something that makes me so happy as well and makes me want to dance and sing even more. Sometimes, I love to break into a dance moment in my house to some good music. The vibes are always good when the music is going. So I asked Ian to warm up the food that I brought because I was starving. I had been up for almost 46 hours by the time I checked my phone at Ian’s. But I actually hadn’t felt any slump of sleepiness from staying awake for two days to work on everything. But the show must go on, and I made it work! Even though I was doing idea one with idea three and part of the original concept. It was just overwhelming, so I needed to eat! We got ready for the shoot in our respective roles. I have been the person who does everything before the model or artists arrive, and this time I was that person and myself. Part of me says one day I may as well just be the photographer as well. But I will revisit that idea another time.

I had been creating and will definitely be making a double back to the moment when the time is right for those ideas, but I was fortunate and blessed to be able to make this shoot with Ian Phillips a success! Also, while I am giving thanks, thank you, Mama B! Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mama C! Thank you to Pastor Will, First Lady, and Kim Urshel for everything you have been doing to support and celebrate my education, brand, and start my legacy as an entrepreneur. Thank you to everyone who has been able to help me develop my brand and artistry, music, and fashion line. This whole experience has been awesome sauce; it wasn’t perfect, but I am glory satisfied. I am feeling the story and images I want to translate to film visualise nicely.

The shoot location: Hollywood Apartment Building Lobby. The property: Gagalicious! But no air conditioning. At all. It was WHOA!!! I was going for a theatre “Boy meets the stage” in his own way. My face: GORGEOUS. The day was hot, the city busy and sweaty, yet my aura was glowing neon green as I pulled a large, body-bag-sized suitcase; my complexion was popping in the sunlight! I had six looks to change into: necklaces, double-wrapped bracelets, shoes, accessories, makeup, and food. Dreamy eyes and all. Part of the shoot I felt as of I was modeling and sleep at the same time… After an all-nighter, two nights in a row, I started to get ready for the shoot at about 7 am. I had time to talk to some of my closest friends here in LA and to sort out my plan. I needed to take the Metro, but it was a breeze!

Earlier that week, I talked with Ian about how the images would be used, etc. I told him I had an amazing opportunity to perform at The Planet Queer Showcase at Akbar in Silver Lake, CA, on Monday, August, 17th 2026. I actually was preparing for two shows at once. I was asked to be part of the JustInspiredTaylored Music Show at Jungle Hollywood; The event was held on July 31st, 2026. Although we had a small turnout. ian was apart of that show as well and played th epiano to a selection of his original songs. We both slayed!

Aside from our show at Jungle Hollywood. Earlier, I reached out to Planet Queer in response to an Instagram post I saw on my feed. The promoted ad was calling artists to apply for bookings to perform for Planet Queer and other pride-geared events. I was so down and wanted to hit the stage again after my very first solo show at The Escondite in DTLA. I heard back and asked about the show, etc., and found out from Ian Mackinn that the production is a monthly event! So I knew one Monday night I’d make it. Also, while I’m on the topic of music and performance opportunities. I heard through Ace Chupina about a rad and dope open mic hosted in West Hollywood. I ended up going with him and another housemate. The open mic turned out to be a blast! At first, I had only planned to attend in support of Ace and hear his new music, etc. But I ended up on stage singing a few of my original songs after meeting the owner and host of the event. “Big Tim” Stephens is a kind and generous guy! More information about Big Tim’s Open Mic is in the links section. Anyways, I had the esteemed honor of sharing the stage with a dope group of artists and musicians. Two of whom are my good friends today: Zana Messia and Ryan Hale. Speaking of these two, I am doing a set tomorrow night with them, as a special guest at Off Shore Thursday. Every time I am at this venue, something good happens! And I am looking forward to next time!

So the vibes stayed high as I darted from Ian’s house to head home, planning to get some kind of rest before Monday night. I had been up for two days straight and was hitting another energy slump by the time I was halfway home on the train.

Ian and I met on for our shoot that Sunday morning for the shoot and worked up until about midday/afternoon. When we wrapped the shoot. I was tired. And in that moment, I could only think of my bed and food. And the show was playing in my head a real surreal moment, but actually uplifting. Luckily, it was a chill Monday, and, like everything, I was on an extended weekend break. My summer break went by so quickly because I was working on all of my music, design content, assignments, and life. I didn’t have anywhere to be.

I was literally running on fumes and had the rest of the day to get in the rest of my assignments and take my final for my Film course. I ended up getting an A+ on my work, so that is great overall. I was able to make some dinner and breakfast that evening before getting to sleep. I woke up Monday afternoon still on the high from the photoshoot and was eager to hit the stage. My music had been sent, and everything was in place. But I still needed to get dressed and make my way to the venue.

The show featured a ton of other one-of-a-kind artists and acting troupes. All geared toward positive expression of art in every medium in the Queer community. Needless to say, I had a fantastic time meeting and watching everyone perform. It was a huge honor to be part of, for sure! I debuted two new songs there: my label songs, SUDUKUU and Be Who You Are. They are both my favorite songs to sing, and I live my life in SUDUKUU. Both songs highlight my resilience, grace, and courage to be who I am each day and encourage others to live the same way. Fearlessly. Release dates for those songs will be announced soon.

So the images and the shoot turned out very well, and I am happy as I continue my journey.

There is a snippet of my performance at the Planet Queer Showcase at Akbar in Silver Lake on my Instagram page. You will see the link in the links section, but please look out for the full performance on Planet Queer’s YouTube page.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I think and write… So I am fearlessly moving along in love, joy, and happiness, and I have to say, not everything is always sunshine and rainbows. I have always been a realistic type of guy with an optimistic eye.

Nothing will ever be perfect, and I know that, but I guess that’s why I like to be loving, joyful, happy, and sing about each of them when I have a moment to. But I think we should all find something to be happy and thankful for, even if it’s something that only you may know. So finding joy is no longer a chore to anyone. I used to dread organizing and folding clothes as a child, and then something clicked for me to understand what accountability meant for me and to make sure I could account for all of the clothes I wanted for the week. Or a month. My parents made sure we had as many nice outfits to choose from as one of seven children. My parents cared for each of us in our own way. And even back then, I loved to look good. I loved colors, flowers, stars, patterns, shapes, and purple. I loved and still do suits and dress clothes. Serving Uniqueness, Daring Unity, and Kindly Uplifting Us. In whatever is good and I can do.

So while I was thinking of a way to give back to my community, I just so happened to see something about the Sandwich Squad through a list of outreach opportunities in Los Angeles in my email. I saw an ad in search of volunteers to help pass out sandwiches to homeless people and/or individuals needing help with a meal. I thought to myself, as I read the ad and the community and organization information, that I would have a great time learning how I can one day build an organization that will do the same thing when I get the finances I need to make it happen! So I am dreaming big and staying focused on finding a part-time job, as well as applying for Federal Work-Study. So I went to a few different Sandwich Squad meetups and met some great mentors to learn from. Thank you, Leah and Elyse, for all of your hard work, dedication, and passion you put into making the Sandwich Squad happen. Every Monday and other days featuring a different department of The Center Hollywood’s outreach programs, like the Coffee Hour, are a really cool way to get involved with making a difference in the world, one sandwich or coffee at a time. Well, after my first time, I was so excited to be part of something so awesome. For the past few months, I have been writing a new song to place in a demo for the Sandwich Squad Meetup Outreach program. It’s called “Love Is The Answer.” I wrote the lyrics, composed, and produced the music. And I recorded “Love Is The Answer” at the LARS Recording School and have been working on it since. I hope you like it. You’ll hear part of it playing in the background and at the end of the video. Please stop by my links section if you want to hear it now 🙂

All right, after I left the Sandwich Squad meetup, I went back to campus to follow up on some Q+Club meeting activities. There is always someone to meet and connect with in the B2 Lobby. I had the amazing pleasure of connecting with a fellow grad of LA Film School, Jeffery Reynoso AKA JahRey, who just so happened to be on a tour to return for more degree studies at the school. We swapped Instagrams, and later I invited him to help be part of the Sandwich Squad, and he was down for the cause! Check out the Sandwich Squad Meet Up on YouTube to see me, Leah, Elyse, Gino, Jeffery, the whole Sandwich Squad, and all of the sandwiches in action, making a difference! Also, watch until the end for a feature demo song I just completed for this whole experience. Giving back is what SUDUKUU ALSB will excel at doing. Check out everyone else mentioned through my socials.

What were you like growing up?
And to be completely transparent, I was not a cheap child. I have always had expensive taste. I just think of the things my parents may have said when I was choosing shoes at the famous Footwear department store. I am too picky; that is too expensive, or those are probably girls’ shoes, Antwon. Well, either way, one day, or at some point in my adolescence, I learned to be thankful for all of my things and clothes because so much thought went into making sure I was happy, clothed, and cared for. I grew up around a lot of wise and God-fearing people, and I have always appreciated my elders for more than just the eagerly expected allowance I used to get for chores and singing. And sometimes even cheerleading and step dancing. What I am saying is that I am now much more thankful for the small things because the small things make up the big things we love in life. Oddly enough, I love folding and organizing my closet and drawer sets at home.

Some years ago as a sketch muse-model, stylist, art director, choreographer, designer apprentice, and photographer’s assistant, in my past freelance experience, I have a pretty extensive history of taking professional photos with professional photographers. I have also been a muse for many artists, merch brands, and industry photographers, so I am familiar with how that part, “the networking” of the business, works. Realistically, for some who are dedicated to one field of Entertainment, I may not have been in each field of work for long while juggling my theatre career; some of the same ways of the trade ring true. One thing I always remember Leslie Dockery, Lee Summers, and Brenda Braxton always reminding me is to – Give them something to remember you by! And I thought back to meeting Ian, and I felt like I booked it! The show went so well. I also kind of want to sing in my Blaquerstar Toole Overall Skirt, but at least I was on the mic all night! I did have a breakdown sad moment when I was trying to find Toole and such. Well, one of my best and most favorite pieces I ever wore was in the Grace Edwards Design Collection. I have worn so many dresses and capes and gowns and skirts and such, but this skirt was more kilt-like, and it was made of toole. I loved it. It was a deep chocolate brown with light tan and distressed leather and fabric pieces. I have a picture of it on my Instagram page. You’ll see it when you look. But I love that look and have always wanted to sing while wearing a toole tutu made by SUDUKUU ALSB. But at least I got to strut in my Blaquestar tutu. The featured artists raved about the style and vibe of the show. If you’d like to check it out, some of the posts are on my Instagram to get a feel for the event. I hope to see you at one of the next showcases or competitions soon!

Pricing:

Reconstructive Boutique / Closet Organizing: $50/hour
Hats: $20 Shirts: $30 Vests: $40 Pants: $50 Jackets: $60 Short Coats: $70 Long Coats: $80 and up (time/materials dependent) Jewelry Bracelets: from $45 Anklets: $55 Necklaces: from $65
Design Reconstruction: $25/hour (added to base price) Styling: $35/hour Closet Organizing: $50/hour Shoe Restyling: client covers base shoe cost + $30/hour per pair
SUDUKUU ALSB logo merch: priced separately on the SUDUKUU ALSB Boutique (Printful), launching June 2026; items ship directly to the client from the warehouse.
Deposit: FOR PERSONAL STYLING AND ANY OTHER SERVICES OR HAND-MADE ITEMS – A FLAT DEPOSIT FEE OF 50% WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE TIME THE ORDER IS PLACED, AND THE REMAINING BALANCE WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE FINAL FITTING & PICKUP. Balance: remainder due at pickup or delivery. Final quotes vary by time, materials, and complexity.

Contact Info:

Website: https://sudukuualsb.com/hi-its-s-me-blaquestar-alsb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcRox_py0d3/?igsi=Z3I3czQ2NHMwc2d2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Blaquestar/100083191515740/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antwon-lemonte-smith-brown/
Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/@planetqueer7156
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrVDxeidYCRPsyLakI6VXeg
Yelp: ips Website: https://www.obakeimages.com/gallery
Soundcloud: arris Website: https://www.denzelparris.co/about
Other: https://www.facebook.com/veniacollection/photos

Image Credits
Ian Phillips

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