We had the good fortune of connecting with Kahlil Daniel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kahlil, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2010, I founded Instinct Entertainment, a production company based in music, film, and media. My time at Howard University, where I received my BFA in Acting, made it very clear who the gatekeepers were in Hollywood, and that if we as black artists wanted to see our stories represented, we would have to have a hand in writing and producing them. I’ve always been a singer and an actor – my company gives me the power to take a hand in the direction of my career, without only having to rely on the validation of a casting or contract signing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been singing since I was a baby, acting since four, and playing the piano since five. I grew up with my parents having executive positions at major record labels which heavily influenced my love and knowledge for music. I wrote my first song at sixteen, and have been writing and producing ever since.

I’m an R&B recording artist, who sometimes pulls from my personal life and puts it into my art. It can be therapeutic for me and authentic for my audience, but performing it live with the band is the ultimate pay off! My love for singing and acting drives me toward continually understanding how to do the behind the scenes aspects of both, including producing, writing, and directing. My journey’s lead me to where I am by a continual interest in consuming and doing things related to music and acting, also very supportive family, friends, faith, & prayer.
I grew up with a love for R&B & Gospel music, with artists like SWV, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Bebe & Cece Winans, Toni Braxton, & TLC, being played in the house or the car before they were ever on the radio. Once I started training in acting, I became a ‘theatre kid,’ all from elementary school through high school, while also competing and singing in talent shows and competitions. I graduated from Howard University where I received my BFA in Acting. Post graduation, I remember getting up at the crack of dawn, in the dead of winter, several times a week to audition for NY shows before joining the theatre actor’s union – Actor’s Equity Association. I also became the Music Director at my home church for five years, which led to me Music Directing for the Classical Theatre of Harlem where I continue to compose and teach music. I received my first major award nomination for “Outstanding Musical Direction,” with them in 2018. I definitely wouldn’t describe this journey as easy, but definitely worth it.
I would definitely consider “starting,” one of the best lessons I’ve learned along the way. I know I can be a perfectionist and possibly get trapped in my head when producing my art. I was working on my first EP for about a year before finally deciding to release it in 2013. The decision to finally, “let go and just begin,” has since led to me constantly releasing music and performing in some iconic venues including SOBs, Sony Hall, The Bitter End, & “The Howard Theater.” I’ve also learned the importance of asking God for direction before pursuing an opportunity rather than doing something and hoping that it works out. For me, connecting with my source first saves me time, causes less stress, and makes the outcome intentional which usually makes for a more integral and quality end result. I’m a big fan of, “process.” I’ve found this process breeds less ‘impulse,’ and better Instincts – that guiding inner voice, hence the name of my company.
Right now, I’m really excited to be acting in, “Twelfth Night,” as “Duke Orsino/Sir Toby Belch,” in NYC with The Acting Company. I’m also excited for the new music I’m about to release, as well as a major step my podcast is about to take, which is in it’s 5th season! I want everyone to know they can catch my Co-host Sylvee Jones, and I every-week, on the, “On The Way Podcast,” where we review 4 new albums, catch up on music related topics, and talk current events from a black point of view. We’ve got some exciting things in the works for this year, but for now you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, & Youtube every Thursday! My music is available on all streaming platforms and you can also find me on a screen, stage, or a pair of AirPods near you!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To Eat: Leo’s Taco Truck (on La Brea & Venice) | Co-Fax on Fairfax (…those Breakfast Burritos!) | Nicole’s Juice Truck (Located Culver City Stairs/Baldwin Hills Lookout) | Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles (on Pico!) | ‘Etta’ in Culver City (Great Family Style) | Nappily Naturals & Apothecary (Awesome Tea) | ‘Bacari’ on 3rd (Great Happy Hour) | ‘Alta’ off of Adams (Soul Food!) | ‘Hilltop’ (Coffee Shop) | Post & Beam (more great Soul Food.) | Met Her/Him At A Bar (Awesome Brunch) | Bossanova (Late Night Eats!)

Places To Go: Manhattan/Redondo Beach (for Walking). Walks in View Park, The Academy Museum, Eso Won Books, The Grammy Museum, The Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Temescal Canyon (for Hiking), A Resort Pass for chilling and working poolside…., Universal City Walk! Also… an occasional Hollywood Fan Tour.

Dispensaries: LA Cannabis Dispensary, Gorilla RX (Black Woman Owned), Mecca (in Mid-City!)

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?

Wow, there are so many people who deserve recognition in my story. In a nutshell, I’d have to start with my mom for introducing me to music at such a young age, always exposing me to the arts, and making sure I got to every vocal, piano, and acting rehearsal while supporting me at every performance. I have really supportive family and friends as well. There’s also my village of acting/singing teachers and professors from elementary school to college who’ve poured into me like Rev. Dr. Norma Fair-Brown, Cathy Roy, Laurie Wesseley, Steven Bell, Cheryl Miller-Porter, Marlene Ware, Lottie Porch, Professors Kim Bey, Al Freeman Jr., Darius Smith, & Reggie Ray … to name a few. Those are some of the people who gave me my gems on which I could build a strong artistic foundation. I’ll be forever grateful to them, and continue to pay it back with the dedication and integrity of my work!

Now in terms of people more familiar to everyone – Vocally: I like to model my voice around Donny Hathaway, Coko (of SWV), and Brandy. My favorite musical eras are the 70’s, Luther Vandross 80’s, 90’s & Gospel Music! My Top 5 Producers would have to include: Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley, Ryan Leslie, Stevie Wonder, & Kirk Franklin. My Artistic GOATS who continue to lay the blueprint are: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige & Kendrick Lamar. Some of my favorite artists from this era who continually inspire me are Alex Isley, India Shawn, Emily King, James Fauntleroy II, & Jazmine Sullivan.

My favorite actors usually (not always) train in theatre first, giving them the ability to be extremely versatile, with that chameleon-like quality ie: Denzel Washington, Merryl Streep, Viola Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Laurence Fishburne, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Chadwick Boseman… the list goes on! Right now, I’m loving Zendaya, Olivia Colman, & Colman Domingo. Lastly, I think Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Jim Carey & Eddie Murphy are some of God’s special gifts to us as a people.

Website: kahlildaniel.com

Instagram: instagram.com/kahlilxdaniel

Twitter: twitter.com/kahlilxdaniel

Facebook: Facebook.com/kxdmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM0DmvYyXqqWcWzGEby4StA

Other: PODCAST Links: Facebook: Facebook.com/onthewaypod Instagram/Twitter: @onthewayweekly Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6cIIyNKURdAvyZ7ZOWCCg Website: instinctent.com/ontheway COMPANY Links: Facebook: Facebook.com/instinctentinc Twitter: twitter.com/instinctentinc Instagram: instagram.com/instinctent Website: instinctent.com

Image Credits
Keenon Perry Carlos Noble Jill Jones

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