Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Blake
Hi Timothy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey guys, yes so first off I’m Lil Makaveli, better known stylistically as “Lil Mak”, and I got my start in music actually in middle school! Believe it or not, I was the first-chair Oboe player in my school’s concert band where I learned music theory, structure and melody under Dave Szumlanski; an extremely talented musician. This experience really grounded my love and passion for music of all genres; one of my band mates and I maintain a close friendship to this day and have worked on several music projects together.
High school is where I first began writing songs, rap music specifically, and would perform at lunch for friends or any interested audience really. I also picked up electric guitar for the first time and became obsessed, or maybe possessed. Like rapping, playing guitar to the cover of metal songs on my Line 6 amp was another way I quickly found myself entertaining others. Thinking back to that time, I enjoyed not necessarily the admiration I would receive from peers but the engagement. Rock and hip-hop is something most of us enjoy at some level and it felt really cool to “create” something that people around me digged. I actually recorded on one of the school’s iMacs in Garage Band but we’ll probably never hear any of that stuff and for good reason I’m sure ha ha.
I joined the Marines after high school and generally moved away from music during my time in service, but I actually rediscovered that passion once entering college. I joined a fraternity and became reacquainted with the mainstream hip-hop scene, ya know what the “cool kids” are listening to.
Rap had changed a lot, but in a way I felt there was more opportunity and room for artists of varied lanes so I decided to make music my career. It was during my senior year I donned the stage name that I still go by and recorded my first EP. I had no connections in the industry and recorded in a studio built in the basement of my college’s Jewish fraternity, which was actually pretty nice!
In 2020, I recorded for the first time with Chriz Beatz and you could really say the rest is history at that point. Chriz has a long history in production, working under the legendary Drumma Boy Fresh in his production group, Drum Squad. That first session with Chriz was the most demanding in my career up to that point; mainly as Chriz could be considered a perfectionist and having worked with so many elite rappers, he just knows what “good” sounds like and will let you know if you aren’t hitting that mark. This type of critique and artist development was new to me but as a lifelong student, I recognized the value of pushing outside of my comfort zone. I think it’s funny when you think of artistic expression, it seems like something that would be pure in and of itself and not something to be refined and even changed. Getting to where I am now has been a journey and not only musically, but also in a way spiritually since to become a better artist, entertainer and music creator I’ve had to grow and change in ways I didn’t even consider when I stood on that high school lunch table and rapped for my first audience. That being said, my commitment to the art has been rewarded time and time again with opportunities to do more music and with greater impact. Whether with collaborations, writing commissions or even delving into the production scene with my guitar; doing music for the love OF music has become the “true north” in my career compass; never leading me astray.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh man where do I even start ha ha? Life is inherently challenging, at least, it’s been that way for me all my life. Trying to find balance with your career, relationships, health etc. can be a struggle at times. When you add on pursuits like “rap careers” ha ha, things can become very overwhelming. I have found that the expectations I place on myself can directly impact how much control I feel I have. I can’t always control the outcomes but I can control how I feel about the work I do.
This first time I was seriously challenged in music (Notice I say the first), was actually at the very beginning. Once deciding to seriously give rap a go, I left school and went into sales which was fully commission based. That meant not only did I have to sell enough to afford my bills and such, but also how much money I would have left for studio time every month was directly related to how hard and efficiently I was working. There were many nights I would return home frustrated from having no sales, despite knocking doors and cold-calling all day. Not only would I probably miss out on recording that month, but sometimes I was even stressing about earning enough just to live. I had no choice but to improve on my sales techniques and to maintain a hard working “play to the whistle” mindset. That way, as long as I knew I tried my absolute best, I could feel good about the results of the day or week. In time I did get better and started to make more money consistently. I was recording more often again and with my success record, I actually landed a cushy sales job with a major company that paid salary AND a commission.
It seemed things were back on track and maybe even for good, and then COVID happened. I was furloughed from my sales job and with no income, was back to no recording. That consistency I had fought so hard for was pulled right out from under my feet and I was left to reevaluate my plans moving forward. The same month I got furloughed was also the same month I had to put my 13 year old cat Keaton down, due to cancer finally taking its toll on my lil buddy. His death and my joblessness weighed on me heavily, I felt low and was in a bad place really with so much time to sit in my own thoughts. I attribute much of my coming out of that season to the loving support of my now fiancée Kylah. Throughout my entire journey she has always reinforced my motivation and hope, helping me to believe even when it seemed silly. With newfound resolve, I went back to school and finished with a degree in healthcare. That seemed to be a “furlough proof” industry and since has allowed me an opportunity to work and serve my community while still earning enough to pursue my passion.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do I do? I do music! Now that actually entails many things and in this art I wear many hats. I’m the poet, the muse; but also the businessman, the marketer. In 2021 I founded Raider Gang Music, a publishing company which has allowed me to perform vital services for myself and other artists.
People know Lil Mak, however, not Tim the Publisher/Composer ha ha. I am a recording and performing rap artist having done 100’s of songs and several visual/audio projects. I record and perform mostly in Atlanta where I moved in 2020. On the production side of things I record live guitar both electric and acoustic as well as the occasional drum work.
If I were to say what my competitive advantages are, what separates me from other artists, I would have to say my voice, my melodies and my guitar. Rap and rock share similar counter culture vibes and it’s becoming increasingly popular to see fusions of the two in modern genres. I consider myself a true union, I am the rapper/rocker people are looking for. My sound and melodies incorporate the energetically charging range of modern metal, the complex flows and bold personality that rivals billboard charting rappers; on top of all that throw in my own brand of Rock N’ Roll and it’s a dangerous combo. I’m the guy rapping and hyping everyone up at the forefront, but also the guy absolutely shredding it on guitar in the back!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I actually get asked about this so much it’s crazy! Like I’ve said I love making music and collaborating with other artists is always such a memorable experience, like you really never know what can turn out of it! Sometimes I wish there were like copies of me so that I never had to decide between one gig or another, I want to be a part of all of it! That being said, the best way to get with me is either email or social media! I’m active on Instagram and tend to check my message requests frequently enough as I know they tend to get buried quicker than an email would. You can also find and support me on Youtube!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flow.page/lilmakaveli
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilmakaveli1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilmak11
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lilmakavelimusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lil-mak-11
Image Credits
Jawan Clanton
Eric Coleman
Kylah Henderson
