Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Ballew.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Canton, Georgia. I’ve always been into the outdoors. My parents split up when I was eight years old. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by incredible friends my whole life. I went to college at KSU and used my degree to get a job at a talent agency in Atlanta called People Store. I practice yoga, I love to hike, I collect crystals and geodes, and I’m big into holistic healing. I’m in a hip-hop duo called ARLO. My life is about abundance, prosperity, joy, and self-actualization.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall, I think my life has been a pretty smooth road. I’ve faced plenty of challenges because that’s life, but I look on the bright side. Let’s be real. My life is great.
Having parents divorce at the age of 8 sucked, but I get why the needed to. I think that had a pretty major impact on my outlook on marriage. These days I don’t really have faith in marriage. At least for me personally. It feels obsolete. I imagine my outlook might be different if my parents had stayed together.
I was with a woman I thought I was going to marry for a few years. When that fell through, I started to look at romance differently. It was sad to have the idea of marriage somewhat die for me. I’m still open-minded, but I don’t sugar coat it when some “happily ever after” idea like our media suggests happens for people. Relationships are hard work. I’m not cynical though. I’m bursting with love. If I could change my parent’s divorce situation, I probably wouldn’t, but I will say it had a negative impact on my life.
One challenge in my life has been growing up poor. I had a great childhood, but my family didn’t have much money. That’s okay though. I’ve always had to pay my own way ever since I became 18. I paid my way through college. I’ve paid for every trip I’ve ever taken. I’ve always paid for all of my bills. There’s no financial support (or crutch) from my parents. Honestly, I’m grateful for this. I know people my age who don’t know how to manage money because their parents handy-cap them by “helping” financially. So this has been a good challenge.
I think the main challenge in my life revolves around my health. I’ve had a lot of issues with my nose and throat over the years. I was in a metal band in high school, and I think screaming into the mic caused some trauma. I’ve used my voice as instrument heavily since then for hip hop. I never learned the proper ways to warm up or protect my voice which has caused problems with my throat health.
I had a nasal valve collapse about three years ago, and that sucks majorly. So, here I am one throat and two nose surgeries later. I’m not where I want to be, but I am healing, learning and growing. There’s nothing more frustrating that only breathing properly out of one nostril for years on end, but I have faith I will continue to heal and move past this. Besides, these health issues are nothing compared to what millions of people face with their health. Overall, I’m quite healthy.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I should split this into two sections because I’m known for multiple jobs.
For my day job, I’m currently a commercial talent agent at an on-camera talent agency in Atlanta. We represent actors and voice talent. I help the actors on our roster get auditions for commercials, voice over, corporate industrials and print advertising. I have a great reputation there. I’ve been at People Store for five years now. It’s nice being able to help others achieve their dreams. Plus, my co-workers are badass. I met one of my best friends, Rick Estimond, at PS. In fact, I’ve met a ton of incredible people because of that job, including my friend Sheena who recommended me for this very interview.
Let’s talk about my company though: Big Difference Music Group. I co-own this music label with my best friend and partner Zac Bennett Campbell. We’re signed to ourselves.
We’re called ARLO. It stands for A Rap-Like Organization. Zac and I started making music back in 2008, and we haven’t stopped since. Back then it was just for fun as a hobby, but we started it more seriously in 2014. BDMG is still budding. We’re part music label and part production company at this point. I suppose I’m most proud of how unique our music sounds. There are plenty of people who make hip-hop music, but we have a signature sound.
As with all artists we have influences, but we don’t replicate like so many rappers do. We create truly unique music from scratch. You can’t copy us. You can’t replicate us. It’s one of a kind, and it’s good. Plus, we’re so confident and secure within ourselves. It gives us an opportunity for shameless self-expression. You guys should interview my partner Zac. He’s a total badass and a huge inspiration in my life. Check us out live.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Hmmm. The entertainment industry. I see it going more and more commercial as the system in which we live continues to try and fool people not to be able to distinguish whether they are receiving entertainment or receiving an advertisement. Our capitalist system wants to blend the two to the point where people don’t know if they just saw a film or a commercial.
Making a living as an actor will continue to be more and more challenging. It’s filled with ups and downs. More and more responsibilities and expectations continue to get passed down to the actor, and the industry continues to expect actors to more that used to be handled by others. There’s no way I’ll be a talent agent 5 or 10 years from now. Perhaps I’ll still be involved with actors. Who knows.
When it comes to musicians, it’s similar. Everyone expects music for free, so the only way a musician can make a decent living is to tour and play live. Then they have to sell merch. There’s no reason to sign to a major label anymore now that we’ve got the internet, although I’m sure it helps in some ways. I’d rather get rich due to a core following and stay mostly unknown verses be famous but have most of my money eaten up by a major label.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bigdifferencemusicgroup.com
- Phone: 4045733445
- Email: realaudacity@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arlomusic/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/arlomusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arlo_music
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/arlomusic
Image Credit:
Jason Vail, Algy Fonts
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