One on One in 10: Mark Barker, Entrepreneur

Hello, welcome to One on One in 10, where we ask questions to pick the brains of some of the most talented Indie artists in the Tri-State area.  It’s your girl Mai Mazzi live and on the scene, bringing you the real with today’s movers and shakers allowing you to meet them, one on one.

Now this month, we are doing something a little different. Up until now, our One on One in 10 interviews have been focused on the performing artist, but as you may know they are not the only ones impacting the Indie Music scene. I have the pleasure of chopping it up with a young entrepreneur, Mark Barker, who is opening doors and changing the game in very intuitive and strategic ways with his company, Allusion Creative Group.

What is Allusion Creative Group?

Allusion Creative Group is a marketing and promotion company that I created a year ago. The company designs platforms that allow up and coming artists who do not have the financial means to gain exposure and recognition with the same caliber as artists who do have the financial means. We are based in Newark NJ.

What made you want to pursue your company?

Being raised in the city of Newark, I have come in contact with many people who wanted to pursue music and different types of artistry. I wanted to be a part of something that would change the culture of Newark. I wanted to focus the energy of the culture more on the creative side versus the violence that Newark has been known for. The drive behind the pursuit of my company comes from my history. I have seen the decline and slight rise of Newark, as it is getting better, and wanted to impact the city in a positive way. I want Newark to be known for something unequivocal; I want people to see the forcible impingement of the Allusion Creative Group and think of Newark. The obstacles that I have endured as well as many around me on a social level have motivated me to create this platform for Indie Artists.

What do you look for in an artist?

I look for positivity and creativity when choosing the artist that the company works with. Empowering the African American community and uplifting the culture is a big deal within the Allusion Creative Group. We do not gravitate towards negative depictions of our community or anything that would bring down the optimistic and conclusive scope of the movement.

What has been your greatest accomplishment with the company?

My greatest accomplishment has been the relationships that I have been able to forge with the artists. I have had people tell me that younger artists would be the hardest to work with because they have big egos, but I have been able to go to these same artists and have them understand and accept my vision. The artists have been competent in seeing the long -term effect of what the company is striving for. I am supplying the financial backing for the projects that the company embarks on and the artists are not looking for a payout, they are showcasing their talents for free. That means a lot, especially due to the fact that some artists want immense compensation for talents that aren’t worth much.

What are your immediate goals for the Allusion Creative Group to reach within the next one to three years?

My immediate company goals are to grow and expose the brand. I want high profile producers to come to me and want to work with the artists that I am working with. I want to be able to have hard working artist under my belt; the artists who are doing the most for their communities and are able to be the face of the confident culture I am trying to create. That is the company goal from now until 2018.

The Allusion Creative company will be hosting Creatio: The Premier Art Show, Memorial Day weekend (May 27^th-29^th). Here you will be able to enjoy three days of art, music, and poetry. The show will be held at the Gateway Project Center in Newark New Jersey. You can purchase tickets at EventBrite and also at www.urbansocialitesnj.com. Make sure you come out and show some love!

To my readers, thank you for tuning in, and make sure you stay tuned for the next NMNJ “One on One in 10”!

Mai Mazzi
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