WHO IS MALIK-ELIJAH?
I’m still trying to figure that out. My Name is Malik-Elijah Alphonso Johnson, which means King-Yahweh ready for battle. Being born into this world as a black man with a target on his back, that name seems pretty fitting. I used to try to be everybody but Malik-Elijah. Eventually, I began to own and uncover the pain, passion, and creativity that lie under the names. At the moment, I’m a self-taught artist/graphic designer who created clothing brands Kurrupted Klouds & Lost Souls Disco.
HOW IS IT BEING THE CEO OF YOUR 2 BRANDS, KURRUPTED KLOUDS, AND LOST SOULS DISCO?
I think the idea of being the CEO of a brand is more appealing when you think about it, but ultimately I can see based on how daunting choosing this path has been It will get better, but it won’t get easier. The skills I’ve gained will become essential to maintaining my dream. Over time I will have developed the ability to persevere through all the trials and tribulations I endure pertaining to my brands. The passion and drive only feel worth it because I’m able to express myself through my craft.
WHAT'S THE PURPOSE BEHIND YOUR CREATIONS?
My creations begin as little sparks of ideas from inside and outside sources. I think about it like whatever your niche/passion is that’s how you translate the world and your experiences. When I learn new things or see new or existing issues in society, my mind immediately begins to translate these things into design ideas. I want my designs to act as food for thought and elicit self interpretable ideas of the viewer's own. I want you to tell me what you think it means instead of me telling you what to think.
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF EXTENDING YOUR BUSINESS INTO A STORE?
Definitely. I think I’d be more interested in having flagship stores and being featured in other stores in different cities rather than having a bunch of retail stores. E-commerce is basically going to be the go-to form of shopping, but you’ll always have those customers that want a genuine retail experience or maybe you just want a headquarters to mastermind and kick it.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR MALIK-ELIJAH AND YOUR 2 BRANDS?
I’m thinking of creating an umbrella under Kurrupted Klouds and consolidating any other ventures into collections. Kurrupted Klouds has the deepest roots and foundation in the community I started in, so I want to keep the idea of loving the way you live in the light as I create in the dark.
