MUSIC
Greetings #IndustryTalk fam! Long time no see and my apologies! I’ve been spending the last year or so traveling, reflecting, and revamping my life. For my 28th birthday I went to Hong Kong, Macau, Paris and London. Whilst in Europe I did two photo shoots…
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R|A: Christopher Leon thank you for being apart of the #IndustryTalk blog! You’re very talented, and I’m sure LA, NYC, and maybe the ATL were places you thought about moving to in order to propel your career, why LA, and what was the deciding factor? That this is it moment?
C|L: I appreciate the compliment! The easy answer as to why I came to LA instead of anywhere else was I had an opportunity and had to take advantage! It was a heat of the moment, ‘you only live once’ kind of decision. But honestly, I’ve always thought it would be amazing to live in California anyway. I didn’t know at the time that technically you can make it ANYWHERE nowadays. The internet made it so you don’t have to come to the high cost of living places such as this. But I truly love living here, so for me it worked out perfectly!
R|A: What’s the most terrible thing someone has said to you about your art, and how did that affect you?
C|L: I guess the worst thing someone has said to me was your standard no-name, anonymous commenter who posted under one of my videos saying something about how I’m the worst rapper to ever grace a microphone and how I should fuck my mother and die... I’m paraphrasing of course but seriously, who’s putting any real energy replying to people like that 😂.
I don’t pay any mind to comments unless there is some kind of constructive criticism. What I hate the MOST are ‘yes’ men. If I am asking for an opinion on a song and all I get is ‘yeah, that’s dope’ or ‘that’s fire!’, I’m a little turned off. Not all of my songs are good, and if I play you something I know is trash and all you have is a nonchalant head nod while staring at your phone, but you get hype once the song is over because you think that’s what I want... I won’t be inviting you to the next listening session :P
R|A: Who are 5 people that inspire you? Artist or otherwise?
C|L: Childish Gambino, Joe Rogan, Mac Miller, GaryVee and the newest person to make the list is Russ.
I’m a huge fan of podcasts, and I have heard my fair share of episodes where Joe Rogan or GaryVee say something that sparks me to work. Gary will talk about a new strategy to ‘hack’ the market or connect with people. Joe will talk about the grind of forming a new stand up routine and how tough it is to get it started. It teaches me that everything you try to get good at is a grind.... so if you want to get good GET TO GRINDING!
When it comes to Gambino and Mac, I just love their styles. Neither of them were afraid to experiment and try something different than they’re used to. I always find inspiration in that.
When it comes to Russ, I just love the hustle and grind it took for him to get where he is. He’s famous for the ‘drop a song every week’ strategy and it’s a really great one. He seems to love the grind as much as I do and that always makes me want to keep working hard when I see it paying off for others.
R|A: You have this new IG comedy skit-show with your girlfriend, what was the creative concept behind the skits and have you always been a comedian?
C|L: Ironically enough the comedy thing was just a joke at first! We had a little idea for a video and people really seemed to like it so we continued doing it. The concepts are easy enough, anytime we have an idea or a ‘that would be funny’ thought we talk to each other about it and see if we could actually make it fun. It’s a challenge but a great way to stay creative when I’m in a musical slump.
I have always been one to crack jokes, mostly at someone’s expense, but I’ve always been more of a fan of the art than actually in it. I might give stand up a try one day 😎
R|A: What’s something most people do not know about you?
C|L: Even though I was born in St Louis, I spent most of my childhood growing up outside of it. I moved to Illinois at a young age and lived in a very small town called Jonesboro. Which was DIRECTLY next to a town called Anna.
Decades ago, someone historically put a sign up next to the ‘Welcome to Anna’ billboard that read ‘ANNA- Ain’t No Niggers Allowed’.
As you can imagine, being the only kid in school with a black father was not the best experience in my younger days. And being a REDHEAD on top of it?! Oh boy, I was ripe for the bullying.
R|A: If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive who would it be and what would you ask them?
C|L: This may sound like a cop-out but I would want to have lunch with ANYONE who was already deceased. My questions would be simple. Is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like and is there any reason to fear death...
Hope I didn’t bum anyone out 🤣
R|A: How would you describe your music? Is it more commercial, raw, political, what does Young Leo rap about?
C|L: All of my projects are about things I’m going through at the time.
My last project was called ‘26 In LA’ and it was about my first year here. The project I’m working on right now is all about my relationship with my girlfriend. I’m very excited to spill the tea. 😂
R|A: What great piece of advice have you gotten, that you would say has helped in your career development?
C|L: YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE! Stop comparing yourself to Drake; stop comparing yourself to your friend who got a deal before you did. None of that helps your situation and only creates mental fatigue. YOU will make it when YOU are meant to. The beauty of today is it’s easier to make it than ever before. You just have to be consistent and always growing. Once I stopped being impressed by people on social media I noticed my life became sooo much less stressful. I would advise the same for others.
R|A: What’s something a new rapper should have before walking into a record labels doors?
C|L: Have your dignity and values in hand. Understand one thing, by the time a record label wants you... you are in a position where you no longer need a record label.
“YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN SCHEDULE! Stop comparing yourself to Drake; stop comparing yourself to your friend who got a deal before you did.”
R|A: Lastly to make it fun, who are your top 4 female hip hop artist, and top 4 male hip hop artist past/present that you think changed the game?
C|L: Lauren Hill, Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj and Lizzo.
For the fellas I would say Slick Rick, Kanye West, Kid Cudi aaaaand weirdly enough maybe Young Thug.
I met Antonial Barnes on Instagram to be quite honest. At least as far as I can remember I've been double tapping his professional pictures as well as his music clips and published work. I wondered where this guy got his start in the industry, his journey, and how he might be able to share his experiences with my readers & viewers? Antonial is a passionate artist and very hard working. He like many smart artist as my grandmother would say has put his eggs in multiple baskets. Therefore he's destined for success. Check out Antonial's latest EP Know My Name on Itunes now.
R|A: Thank you Antonial for being apart of the #IndustryTalk family. I started this entertainment blog as an educational tool for all aspiring artists. Please tell our readers how you got your start in the modeling and music industry?
A|B: I have always been into music. My parents were into music. My mother being a singer and father a bass player, I had always had a passion for music. So I was in band in school and decided to go to college for audio engineering/music so I could be a producer. The modeling I was in college and needed extra money so I made a model mayhem profile and started out that way.
R|A: It’s my understanding that you come from a musical family, so it’s safe to say you are able to practice your craft in a very supportive environment?
A|B: Actually they were not fully supportive until they saw how I was getting scholarships and making moves with my music. Until they actually went to a recital and saw me play and heard my art....they began to support me :).
R|A: What do you wish you could change about the industry?
A|B: That it is necessary that one needs a nice fan base to get signed or seen from record companies and it isn't solely based on talent anymore.
A|B: That it is necessary that one needs a nice fan base to get signed or seen from record companies and it isn't solely based on talent anymore.
R|A: How effective do you feel social media is in today’s industry- good and bad?
A|B: Now it is actually better than 10 yrs ago. To be honest the use of social media has highlighted the use of independent and unsigned artist! Social media helps us see a perspective that wouldn't be seen in reality and this has forced the industry to listen to artist!
R|A: You’ve been published in several different publications how does that feel and how does one book a cover shoot?
A|B: To be honest keep getting photoshoots and then keep submitting them to magazines. If they like what they see they will use them :) but the key to getting published is networking and researching what they like!
R|A: What is your diet plan and workout routine?
A|B: Key to Discipline: Keep at it. When you feel too tired to work out, take some pre-workout and head to the gym! I do not believe in sets because it makes me feel bad if I don't complete it so just do an exercise until you cant do it no more...take a break....then do it again.
Workout Routine: I work out a certain body part a day like:
Monday: Leg Day
Squats, Lunges Calf raises (with weights) Jump-Rope Running on the treadmill Leg pressLeg extension
Tuesday: Chest Day & Abs, Chest, Bench, Press Incline, Press Decline, Press Butterflies, Push-ups, Cable Crossovers, Abs Ab-wheel, Standing/Kneeling, cable crunches.
Wednesday: Back Day- Lat Pull-downs, Bent over barbell rows, Bent over long bar rows, Renegade, Rows Pull Ups.
Thursday: Arms & Shoulders, Arms Barbell Curls Hammer, Curls Cable, Curls Tricep/Bench, Dips Lying, Tricep Press, Tricep Pulldown (rope) Shoulders Arnold Dumbbell, Press Decline, Shoulder Rise, Front Dumbbell, Rise Shoulder Shrugs.
Friday: All Around/Full Body do a Little bit of everything!
Saturday: If able I redo my chest day workout (since I want a bigger chest).
R|A: Tell readers something about you they couldn’t guess by just looking at your instagram profile?
A|B: I'm actually a quiet person until you get to know me...then I talk alot and I'm also a big family person!
R|A: Pre-vocal warm up routine? Tea, humidifier? Also what teas do you like?
A|B: Actually a super quick working out, staying away from dairy products, and drinking tea will actually keep any mucus away from the vocal chords which increases your range! So that's actually what I do.
R|A: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Goals and aspirations?
A|B: Producing a #1 hit song.
R|A: What advice did your parents give you when you told them you wanted to pursue a career in music and modeling?
A|B: Get my education first and if it doesn't work out somehow.....you have something as a backup.
