Meet Marko Ali

We were lucky to catch up with Marko Ali recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marko, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I’ve always been creatively inclined, but I can vividly recall one moment that really pulled me into purpose. Back in 2018, when I was 16, I went to a concert that completely changed me. While standing in GA, I had what I can only describe as a real revelation from God.

The energy in the crowd was insane—flowing through the whole amphitheater and spilling onto the stage where my favorite artist was performing. But in the middle of all that noise, something strange happened. The music and drums started to fade, and it was like my mind drifted away from the physical world into this quiet, peaceful space. All the sound just… stopped. It was kinda like standing in a forest full of wind and rustling leaves, and suddenly, everything goes still. No sound at all.

In that silence, one clear thought came to me: “I can do this.” And it didn’t feel like it came from me. It felt placed there—like it was given to me. Like it was a revelation from God.

I still think about that moment all the time. Whenever I start to doubt myself, I go back to it, because I don’t believe thoughts like that happen for no reason. I really believe everyone has the gift of discernment—God will open the door and show you what’s on the other side, but He won’t push you through it. That part’s on us.

So in 2018, I made a decision: if this is my calling, then I’m willing to die on this hill for it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Marko Ali. I’m a 23-year-old mixed-race multidisciplinary artist, born in New York and raised in California. My art background is extensive and, at times, a bit convoluted—but I think that’s just the byproduct of having a brain as scattered as mine. The art form I’ve stuck with the most consistently, and the one I hold closest to my heart, is music. I’ve been writing for over 10 years and released my first project 6 years ago. Since then, I’ve performed at some pretty notable venues, including the House of Blues and a few spots in L.A.

I take pride in controlling virtually every aspect of my music—from producing, mixing, and mastering to shooting and editing my own music videos. I fell in love with the process before the image, and I think that ultimately works in my favor. I run around with a camera 24/7 and I’ve always been the “shoot my own documentaries” type of person, and I’m confident that my creative obsession and artistic control will be what sets me apart. I recently walked my first runway, which was an experience—but as for the projects I’m working on right now, you’ll have to wait and see.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The first quality I want to highlight is my perspective on humanity and how wide my “scope” is. I think that’s a quality that hasn’t only helped my art, but has also allowed me to move through life with grace and wisdom. I grew up around a diverse community of people — I’ve seen the “worst of the worst” as well as the “best of the best” — and that has allowed me to build a perspective on life that is uniquely my own. I believe a lack of perspective and a narrow worldview hold us back collectively.

My second quality is something I work on every day: learning how to translate what I see in my head into the real world. I’d use the word “manifestation,” but I feel like that word has become so buzzy and overused — often slapped onto everyone’s desires to make them feel as though they’re getting closer to their goals. That’s not true. There are three parts to making your dreams a reality.

The first part is the mind, which is where most people stop. Think of an idea and nurture it — a thought is merely fuel.

The second part is the body. Once the mind has formulated a desire, you have to start walking toward it — now. The thought is your fuel, and your body is the vehicle that gets you there. Every step you take, big or small, reaffirms to your mind that what you’re doing has merit and is within the realm of possibility.

The third part is the soul. People often misconstrue passion as something that’s bestowed upon you, like an epiphany in your sleep that suddenly wires the roadmap into your brain. But that’s not how it works. Passion builds when the actions you take toward your dreams fill your heart and soul with kindling to keep that fire burning. The reason I’m so passionate about what I do is because my soul craves that feeling of making things real. Every new song, video, rug, art piece, or creation binds my soul to my dreams and makes every next accomplishment feel that much closer to the light.

The last quality I want to bring up is faith. If you don’t truly believe you can do the things you set your heart on, it will show in your execution. Believe in yourself more than anyone believes in you. I know that’s easier said than done, but what people need to realize is that our brain is a muscle — and any quality we wish to develop must first be practiced. Believing you can do anything starts when you prove to yourself that you can do the things you set your mind to. That can be as simple as telling yourself you’ll make your bed every morning. Don’t do yourself the disservice of falling back on your word; it puts a stain on your mental cloth that tints your future ambitions. Start small, stay consistent, and prove to yourself that you are capable.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I’m so blessed to say that my family has helped me overcome challenges more than anything. There are days when we wake up feeling as though the world is in our hands, and other days when we wake up feeling the world crashing down on us. To be honest, my family has been the hands that hold me up when I crumble under pressure.

My mom has always had undoubtable faith in my calling on this earth, and I grew up hearing her tell me that I’m going to change the world. That belief has kept me sane, stable, and, at times, alive. Without my mother being my light, I would’ve fallen into darkness long ago.

My Uncle P has always bolstered my confidence in my creations and praised my abilities as a creative. He’s made me feel like I’ve got what it takes and, furthermore, made me feel deserving of the blessings that will surely come my way.

My siblings, Daniel and Angela, have shown me grit and made me work for their respect, which I value so highly. I’ve reached a position in my career where I have zero doubts from any sector of my family tree, and that’s because I was nurtured through my walk of life with positive affirmations and constant reminders to celebrate after crossing the finish line.

I give it all to my family — I would be nowhere without them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7KU7t6DQmph2KoPPxmAYt8?si=JTnRoHBSQQmGHt3KQtzYtg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killmarko/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEy6j5pab1WoRc2zxH_6_dA

Image Credits

Kyle Silke
Alexander Gonzalez