Meet Blaze, the Rebel | Director, Editor & Rap Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Blaze, the Rebel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Blaze, the Rebel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I was a young rap artist at the age of 14 when I had commissioned someone to do a music video for me. Long story short, I didn’t like the way they went about business or the creative process and I had told myself “I may not know much about the business, but if this is way things are conducted then I’m going to do it my way.” Initially I had no intention of making a business out of my talents but someone took a bet on my talents and were pleased with the results. I had reached a point in my life where I realized a lot of things I did for myself were also required by others as well. After a few recommendations my name started spreading like wildfire locally and the rest was history from there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would describe my art as my best attempt at materializing the crazy ideas and things I see in my head. I’m sure every visionary feels this way but the things I see in my head when it comes to concepts, ideas and stories are the furthest from regular. I always want to think of ways to make the biggest impact with even the simplest of concepts. I want my art to be so memorable that you could only see it once and have multiple things to call back on. What sets me apart from others is my nostalgic yet modern take on rap music. Visually speaking, the thing that sets me most apart is the care that I put into projects. Even projects that are commissioned by others are treated with the same respect as my own personal projects (if not more). I got where I am today strictly from having faith and confidence in myself and staying consistent in my pursuit to become better and learn more. That with a good community greatly aided in my trajectory as a professional in my industry. I learned that a team is necessary for anything in life that you want to do. Being a one-man army may seem courageous and admirable in the beginning, but if you plan on leaving a legacy with what you do, you’re going to need a team of people to assist you. Easier said than done, but if you have at least one person you can lean on it’ll make the biggest difference. One quote I live by is “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a big food person so I would definitely take them to my favorite local food spots. I have a ramen spot in Montclair, NJ called Fujiya Ramen that I frequent. Kogane in Chelsea, Manhattan is also my #1 spot! I love to go to the arcade in Rahway called River City Gaming. There’s also another chain of arcades called Yestercades that I love to go to. Go-Karting and paintballing is another thing New Jersey is good for. Tops Diner is a go to for the food being the #1 diner in the country! Branch Brook Skating Rink in Newark, NJ is a historic destination in the state and is very active to this day. Even if you don’t know how to skate it would be a great place to come have fun and relax. Not to mention the community-based lifestyle in Essex County from the bars, to the parties and the mixers. There’s so much to do here that I can go on for days!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my parents for granting me the opportunity to pursue my creative ventures and allowing me to explore my options. It was a very daring things becoming an entrepreneur coming from a Caribbean background because we’re stereotypically known to be told to pursue careers in health, engineering, law, etc. I skipped a grade and that gave me a year to prep myself for the real world. If it wasn’t for them trusting me to do what’s best I would not have been able to accomplish all that I’ve done. I also need to thank my brother and business partner Josh Keys for supporting me in more ways than I could even imagine. From producing the first songs I ever laid a rhyme over to being a strong-minded business partner, there would be no “Blaze” without him.

Website: https://set.page/blazetherebel/

Instagram: instagram.com/blazetherebel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwason-morris/

Twitter: twitter.com/blaze_therebel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blaze_therebel