Malone Brown on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Malone Brown shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Malone , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I am chasing creation itself.

Not the applause, not the numbers, not even the end result but the act of bringing something from imagination into existence. For me right now, that takes the form of films and visual art, but the medium almost doesn’t matter. What matters is that I create.

With the rise of independent creators and artists, I believe it’s more important than ever to set an example. We live in a time where anyone can pick up a camera, a pen, or a tablet and put their vision into the world. But here’s the truth: if we, the ones who feel called to create, stop showing up, what message does that send? If I stop, why wouldn’t another creator feel justified in stopping? If I put down the brush, the lens, the pen what ripples does that send across the community?

As artists, we carry a responsibility. We cannot critique or elevate art if there is no art being made. The very culture we live in depends on the relentless pulse of creation. So, I can’t ask others to push through doubt, rejection, or fatigue if I’m not willing to do it myself. To do so would not only be hypocritical it would be morally wrong.

And yet, even beyond responsibility, there’s something deeper I chase: the feeling of creating. That moment when a blank canvas becomes alive, when a story leaps from the page into a vision, when an idea sparks and refuses to let go. It is in those moments I feel most myself, most aligned, most alive.

So, what would happen if I stopped? The answer is simple. A piece of the world would be missing. My piece. And if every artist stopped, the silence would be deafening.

That’s why I keep going. Not just for me, but for every creator who needs to be reminded, the act of creation matters, and it matters that we don’t stop.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Malone Brown, and at my core, I’m a storyteller. Whether it’s through film, books, or visual media, my mission is to create work that resonates with people, challenges perspectives, and reminds us of the power of authentic expression.

Right now, I’m developing several projects across different mediums. On the film side, I recently completed a proof-of-concept short called King of The Damned, which reimagines the vampire mythos with an urban blood dealer terrorizing Cincinnati, Ohio with his gang of “Vamps”. I’m currently raising funds to expand it into a full-length feature. Alongside that, I’m working on a detective film starring myself as the lead that explores loyalty, loss, and justice. This project will mark my Tubi debut as both director and actor, a new but exciting chapter in my creative journey.

As an author, I published The Essence Within, a nonfiction work on spirituality and personal development that has been well received by readers around the world. It’s been humbling to share my experiences and remind others that no matter what life throws at you, you always have the power to create something meaningful. I’ve also completed several other projects, including:

The Galaxy Adventures (sci-fi screenplay)

Undead Guardians (a supernatural action-comedy novel)

Cyborg Detectives (sci-fi neo-noir about being human vs being machine)

Lovers of the Shadows (a spy romance thriller recently submitted to BBC Radio)

Beyond my personal projects, I’ve built platforms to uplift other creators. I co-founded LEUG Productions (Lower Eastside Underground) with a longtime friend, driven by our shared belief that art is more than expression it’s a force that connects, heals, and preserves culture. I also created Cinematic Luxe Media, an indie-driven multimedia company dedicated to authentic storytelling. While we produce original works, we also offer creative services that keep us connected to clients and communities. Long-term, we’re working toward building a Netflix-style platform for independent films a space where indie voices can thrive globally without compromise.

At the heart of everything I do is a commitment to the indie lifestyle to prove that you don’t need every tool or advantage handed to you. With determination, vision, and persistence, you can build something worthwhile. My story is about showing that everyday people, no matter their starting point, can create work that inspires and lasts.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
For me, the moment wasn’t just one event, it was the realization that creation is never a solo journey.

Early on, I thought the weight of storytelling rested only on my shoulders. But as I began working with fellow creators, I discovered that the real magic happens in collaboration. Every project, every late night brainstorm, every “what if we tried this” moment reshaped how I see not just art, but the world itself.

When I create with people like R-Mata, whom I’ve known for decades, it reminds me how timeless collaboration can be we’ve made everything from music to visuals, constantly pushing each other to expand what’s possible. With BW-Notice, who co-wrote and developed King of the Damned, I’ve seen how resourcefulness and genre versatility can breathe life into any idea. CK Suave encouraged me to embrace the process itself reminding me that staying proud and true to the journey matters more than perfection. He also starred in the short, giving the story a heartbeat on screen. And there are others MarQ1’s humble but undeniable talent, Addvantz of Shadow Village Prod. reminding me to stick to the fundamentals, and countless more Davaughn, Lyzrd, Alexander Tha, Josh F, Eric C., MG, Dez, Max Wreck, Nos, Jone, PG, Amadi Love, and so many others who have poured their energy into projects alongside me.

Working with these creators has taught me that art is a living, shared force. It’s not about ego or ownership it’s about what we can build together. Every session, every scene, every track reminds me why I chase creation because it connects us. Because it turns ideas into something bigger than ourselves. And because it keeps the process fun, meaningful, and endlessly inspiring.

That realization, that collaboration is the true heartbeat of creation shaped the way I see both art and life.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear of not fulfilling my potential as a creator.

It might sound strange at first, but think about it if everything you create is based only on what the masses are doing, then how can you ever truly reach your own potential? For a long time, I worried that no matter how much I loved art whether it was paintings, music, films, literature, or even sports and entertainment I might never measure up to the giants. I would ask myself: How could I ever stand alongside names like Spike Lee or George Lucas?

That fear used to weigh heavy. It made me wonder if I’d always be chasing shadows instead of walking in my own light.

But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized something powerful: I don’t need to be them. I only need to be me. The more I lean into my own voice and my own vision, the closer I get to my true potential. And the beauty of it is, potential isn’t about comparison it’s about authenticity.

Today, instead of being afraid of not becoming “the next” someone else, I’m inspired by the fact that I get to be the first and only Malone Brown. And in that truth, I’ve found freedom the freedom to create boldly, and the confidence that my potential will unfold exactly as it’s meant to.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people get it wrong when it comes to life and art.

Too often, we forget that both are supposed to be challenging. The obstacles, the doubts, the setbacks that’s what gives value to what we create and what we achieve. Instead of trusting the process, many people try to outdo one another in being “original,” as if originality is a competition. But art and life aren’t about proving you’re more unique than the next person.

The truth is simple: the journey isn’t about outshining it’s about understanding. It’s about moving forward, staying consistent, and asking yourself, what is the purpose of life for me? That’s where the real originality comes from. Not from trying to beat someone else at being different, but from being true to your own path, your own rhythm, your own voice.

At the end of the day, the process itself is the reward. And when you embrace that, you realize you were never in competition with anyone else you were just unfolding into yourself.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m creating.

It doesn’t matter if it’s behind a camera, on the page, or in a room full of collaborators tossing around ideas there’s a calm that comes over me when imagination turns into something tangible. That moment when a scene comes alive, when words flow effortlessly, or when a team of creatives I admire helps bring an idea to life that’s when the noise of the world falls away.

Collaboration especially brings me peace. Working with longtime friends and fellow creators like R-Mata, BW-Notice, CK Suave, MarQ1, Addvantz, and so many others has shown me that art isn’t just about the end product it’s about the shared energy of building something together. Those moments remind me why I started in the first place.

Peace, for me, isn’t about stillness or escape. It’s about being fully present in the act of creating trusting the process, embracing the challenge, and knowing that what we’re making has purpose. That’s when I feel most aligned, most myself, and most at peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cinematicluxe.com
• Instagram: malone_6pm6pag
• Youtube: @theleug
• Soundcloud: 6PhonesMalone6PhonesAG
• Other: https://theleug.com

Image Credits
R-mata Lead Photographer and several excepts from films including movie posters