Today we’d like to introduce you to Kareem Fort.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kareem. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ll go as far back as the music industry. I helped start one of the first digital independent record labels called HiPNOTT records and then I created and executive produced my first film DEMOS: an independent artists guide to success, which catered to those artists who were interested in achieving success in the music industry. The film featured artists like Black Thought from the Roots, Talib Kweli to Siedah Garrett who wrote Man In The Mirror for Michael Jackson. After touring with the film I decided to take a break.
I really took some time to figure out my next move. I would often sit around smoking a cigar and plan what I was going to do next. My brother Marcus suggested I do videos about the cigars I was smoking and put them out on YouTube. I took his advice and started an online show called Beyond the Smoke where I would feature special guests, My videographer suggested that I expand the show to a bigger platform, he felt that the show was limiting and suggested I go bigger. I gave it some thought and decided to expand the show idea and produce my second film called Smoke BIG, a documentary on Los Angeles cigar culture.
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?
This project has been smooth thus far only because I have experience producing projects. I also have a great director, Anthony Depree and dope producer Myesha Michelle.
It’s always a challenge for me to stay within the original storyline because it’s easy to get off track and lose focus especially when you’re doing a film with a concept that’s never been done before.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a creator, an executive producer and businessman, I specialize in analyzing a particular field of interest, finding voids in the marketplace and filling those voids with creativity but in a unique way. Being independent, I’m mostly proud of completing a project, whether it’s an album or a film. The hardest thing to do is to finish what you’ve started. That in itself is a challenge. It takes passion and true commitment not only from myself but my team as well.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always into music and sports. I started rapping when I was 12. That’s when I recorded my first demo with my cousin, we called ourselves 2Fresh. I’ve always been creative and the music was my first love.
Contact Info:
- Email: beyondsmoke1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @smokebigdoc @beyond_smoke
Image Credit:
Marcus Fort
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