Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcel Alexander.
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 in Queens, NY and raised in Stone Mountain, Ga. As a kid, I was always into sports and entertaining whether it be dancing and just doing funny comedic things. I went to The Dunwoody High School where I played basketball and football. I was apart of the Dunwoody team that won two State Championships. I went to Saint Anselm College to play football. It’s a D2 school in New Hampshire. Yes, New Hampshire. I majored in business with a minor in communications. My junior year changed things when I walk on the basketball team. Without being on that team I don’t think there would have been LiveLifeLite because we always use to say, Lite. We getting Lite tonight, that was lite, etc. During college, I was recording in the dorm room selling mixtapes out the truck but when I graduated in 2011, my fan base was in the Northeast and I was in Atlanta. I didn’t have a job and didn’t know what to do. So, I formed LiveLifeLite to help the growth of my music. I wanted to brand myself and what represented me. People always ask what does it mean and I ask them what do you think it means and every answer I get is right. ” Being carefree, living life to the fullest, etc. “When Things get heavy to keep it Lite” That’s the motto. I got the brand out by just getting stickers, putting them in bags when I worked at Macy’s, handing them out everywhere I went, tagging every city or country I went to. I knew the brand was being recognized when I went to Paris and handed a sticker to some people and one of them said they recognized it before and that shocked me. I’m all the way in Paris and someone has seen my logo before. The guy was the one and only Spencer Charles and we been friends ever since.
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?
I wish this journey has been smooth but I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it was. The hardest year during building my music and brand was 2013 when I lost both of my parents seven months apart. Outside looking in it felt like a story I would see on TV. May 5, 2013, I get a call to hear my dad is in ICU. My mother, sister, and I head to the hospital and he doesn’t look good at all. It was so unexpected to see him like this, granted he was a diabetic but I’ve never personally seen his struggles. My mom and sister left to get some food and I heard the doctors on the speaker saying some type of code and I knew it was for my dad. I say the doctors walking up to me and I knew what they were about to say and I just dropped down in my then girlfriends lap and started crying. I believe God made me the only family member there at the time the doctors broke the news for a reason. Seven months later I get a call saying come to New York now. My mom was there for a month of getting treatment. She had breast cancer for over 10 years, Stage 4 cancer and two brain tumors and she survived it all but this was it. It’s like you know but you still can’t believe it. My mother was my hero, my inspiration, my best friend. For a long time, it was just me, my sister, and our mother. At 6:40 pm on December 19, 2013, she left us for a better place. I dropped down on the floor in a puddle of tears. Nothing has been the same since she left. In her honor in 2014, I put together a fashion show and bra auction called Catwalk Cure #DoItForVickie. All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society and Atlanta Cancer Care. I had artists like Miya Bailey, Chane Fontaine, Simone Stanley and many more dope artist paint on bras and have people bid on the custom art piece. We raised over $1400 dollars that night and the most special thing was that my grandparents got to see it. I will never forget that.
As of now, I’m in a rebranding process with LiveLifeLite, things slowed down and I’m doing limited capsule runs of merch associated with my music or my events. Right now I have gear for my DJ Battle series called VS, a new emerging event in the city where two female DJs vs two male DJs, winner take all to see who will be the DJ Champ in the city. I’m on my fourth party June 21 at Space 2 10p-3a. I’m excited about what I can do with this party as it grows and grows. I have my brand sponsor it and sometimes I may premiere new music or a music video. Whatever I’m doing I’m going to incorporate my music.
If I would have stayed in Atlanta for college I believe things would have moved a lot faster for me as far as being an influencer, my clothing company growing, and my music, but I know things will fall into place. Its all in the timing. As J Cole said “It’s beauty in the struggle”
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I do many things and wear many hats. I am a songwriter/artist/producer. I have written and directed comedy sketches and short films. I have my own sports show called No Timeouts with my co-host Morgann Mitchell where we talk about basketball and pop culture @notimeoutsshow. I have curated and produced events (@vspartyatl). I do graphic design. I just love to create. Sometimes I dance battle at parties. I do a lot. I honestly don’t know what my company is known for but the artist that I have booked and people that have been to my events have appreciated the quality of the event and the fun time that they had. Maybe I’m known for the vibes, but I don’t know, lol. What makes me proud is hearing someones experience of something I created. Hearing someone enjoyed the listening party for my project, or the live show I put on, or party I created brings me joy. I put up my own money for this and to hear that feedback is more than money earned. What sets me apart is that I’m genuine. I truly care. I’m not tryna get over or use people. I want to build with people to help people as much as I can because that makes me happy.
Next EP 96 dropping This Summer.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel honesty, drive, patience, and countability are key factors to success and qualities I think I have on my journey towards success.
Pricing:
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livelifelite.com
- Phone: 6784888589
- Email: livelifelite1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @livelitemarcel @livelifelite @vspartyatl @notimeoutsshow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveLifeLite/ https://www.facebook.com/livelitemarcel/ https://www.facebook.com/NoTimeoutsShow/
- Twitter: @livelitemarcel @livelifelite
Image Credit:
@spuddsmckenzie @thevillainwins
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