Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamal Bonaparte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jamal, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
My ability, and more importantly, my willingness to take risk stems from having failed enough times to know the answer to the age-old question, “how bad can it be?” But having succeeded enough to know that every failed attempt is just a practice run for success. I believe that changing the way we view rejection, for example, is the first step to understanding that everything in life is based on risk. And without it, there can be no growth, progress, etc.
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?
In a nutshell, I am an Artist through and through. I am a full time singer and open-format DJ that specializes in Corporate Events, Weddings, and Private Soirees but am available for any and all events deserving of a celebration. Recently, I decided to incorporate my singing with the DJ aspect of my business to create a unique crowd-engaging experience.
The most exciting part of my journey has been mashing up classic songs with today’s hits to inspire a sense of nostalgia in the crowd. Remembering where you were and who you were with when you first heard a favorite song can be one of the most beautiful feelings. And what better way than to communicate that feeling than through music.
My DJ name is ‘DJ Vox’ (Vox originating from the Latin word meaning Voice) and I am currently gearing up to perform for upcoming shows at this year’s Art Basel in my hometown of Miami, FL.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d have to say humility is definitely at the top of the list. Understanding that there is always knowledge to be gained and being humble enough to accept it from the most likely to the least likely people & places is a great way to start on any new venture.
People skills, or more specifically, empathy, is a crucial quality to possess that has helped me understand and better relate to the people that I have crossed paths with. Whether it is in business, personal life, or otherwise, It’s so important that we understand that everyone communicates differently and listening can be, and is more often than not, just as important as speaking. Empathy is the keystone that helps maintain the balance between the two.
Last, but certainly not least, is gratitude. Of the qualities I’ve listed, though very important, they must coexist with a healthy attitude of gratitude to function properly. Every once in a while or however often you deem necessary, it is great practice to find somewhere peaceful to reflect on what you have, who you have, and the things you’ve accomplished along the way.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho is one of my favorite reads as it offers so much relatable insight into who we are, how we view ourselves, and how we interact with others. Personal legend is a centric point of focus in this book and a few of my favorite quotes include the following:
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.”
“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allyourentmedia.com
- Instagram: @itsdjvox
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@itsdjvox
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/bEZPo
Image Credits
J. Jade Lilly
