Meet Elbert Godoy

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elbert Godoy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elbert, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose by embracing challenges that led to a deeper understanding and self-discovery. Delving into things that brought me joy. Songwriting became a powerful avenue of self-expression channeling emotions into a creative outlet. This process was very fulfilling and a way to connect deeply with others.

Losing my mother, Sylvia, in August 2019 was an incredibly difficult and painful experience, and turning to music as a way to process my grief and emotions. Which, led me to pursue my music career to honor my mother. I have found solace and healing through creating music in the wake of personal loss, recognizing its cathartic potential to express emotions that might otherwise remain unspoken.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged shortly after, further impacted our world and the music industry as a whole. Concert cancellations and disruptions to traditional music-related activities were widespread, causing significant financial instability for many musicians and their families. However, the unexpected extra time provided by lockdowns also allowed for a surge in creativity and exploration of new ways to connect with audiences.

Many artists, like myself, embraced social media and online platforms during this period to stay connected with family, friends, and fans. This included hosting live-streamed concerts, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creative process, running music challenges, and utilizing various digital tools to engage with their communities. This shift towards online engagement not only helped me navigate the pandemic’s challenges but also opened up new avenues for audience interaction and collaboration within the Syracuse music community and beyond.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My journey is a testament to the power of music and cultural exchange. Growing up in Belize, I was immersed in the lively sounds of Punta music. This unique genre, rooted in the Garifuna community, blends African and Arawak elements with modern influences like reggae, R&B, and rock and roll. It’s more than just music; it’s a vibrant expression of cultural identity, used for celebrations, social commentary, and even honoring ancestors. 

Moving to the Bronx in the late eighties with my Mother Sylvia and brother David exposed me to another powerful musical force: Hip-Hop. Originating in the Bronx in the 1970s, Hip-Hop emerged from a mix of cultures, fueled by the ingenuity of young Black and Latino people facing challenging circumstances.

By appreciating both roots in Punta and my experiences with Hip-Hop in the Bronx, shaped my very own musical aspirations that came from embracing diverse cultural perspectives.

Since 2012, I served as the Marketing Manager for The Loud Session, a music marketing company based in Syracuse, New York. Co-founded by Alshawn Savery and Howard King, The Loud Session helps artists connect with fans and expand their reach through advertising and strategic messaging. This role has given me diverse career experience and personal successes in film, music, and marketing.

Film industry

My contributions in the film industry include:
Film Manager & Acting Debut: He is credited as a film manager for Shamroc Dancil’s film “The People’s Champ,” and also made his acting debut in the movie, portraying the character ‘Lavon’.

Music career

As an independent artist, earning multiple awards, including: Syracuse Area Music Award (SAMMYs): Winner of the “Best Single” award in 2024 ‘Gotta Get It’ the lead single from my mixtape “T.R.A.P (The Real Always Prosper)”.

SEA Awards:

“T.R.A.P” was nominated for Artist Mixtape Of The Year at the 2024 and 2025 SEA Awards.

At the 20th Annual Sea Awards in 2023 I won Mixtape Artist Of The Year
That award was my debut in the music industry as an independent artist.

Winning Internet Hustler Of The Year at the 19th Annual Sea Awards in 2022.
Was yet another huge milestone for me it signified recognition in the media-marketing.

Performance Award:

Receiving the Nonstop Media Group Inc Triple S Award for “Best Stage Performance” at the 2019 “Philly Best Of The Best” Competition alongside mentee Ace Porter was indeed a significant achievement.

Marketing career

In the marketing sphere, I served as the Marketing Manager for Slick Fashionz’ ‘Purple’ album, which received the “Best Hip-Hop/Rap” award at the 2020 Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs).

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that were most impactful on my journey were, prayer, communication, and strategic thinking.

Prayer is the cornerstone of my journey, instilled by your mother, Sylvia. It provided a safe space for faith-based conversations and remains a source of strength in challenges, drawing power from the “word of God.” Passing this legacy down to my children (Shamira, Alshawn, Shanovia, Suhailey, Prince Elbert, and Elithia), hoping they find “peace and purpose in a relationship with God”.

Communication has enabled me to overcome barriers, articulate thoughts clearly, build strong relationships, effectively collaborate with others, and build rapport in all aspects of life.

Strategic thinking allowed me to see the bigger picture, set goals, and make informed decisions. While,  navigating complex situations, adapting to change, and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.

My advice to others is to “appreciate every lesson, every experience both positive and negative” as they hold “valuable lessons for growth, greater awareness, resilience, and purpose, leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful life”.

In addition to these qualities, remember Personal development involves continuous learning and self-reflection that can drive your personal development forward, unlocking your true potential, and navigate life with greater purpose and fulfillment.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

The biggest area of growth and improvement in the past 12 months, was finding a healthy work-life balance  prioritizing both professional obligations and personal needs by setting boundaries  dedicating specific hours to work, turning off notifications after hours, and creating a dedicated workspace to mentally separate my professional life from your personal life.

I appreciate the simple yet profound joy that comes from family meals, travels, and spending time together. These shared experiences were exactly what I needed to reinforced beliefs, values, and  strengthening bonds with my family.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo Credit: Kwame Bradley

Photo Credit: Austin Smallwood

Photo Credit: Jim Houle

Photo Credit: Anthony Jarrett

Photo Credit: Kenny Pace

Photo Credit: David “James Bay” Tatmon

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