What sparked your interest in music?
My journey into music started long before I ever touched a mic. My first love was dance. I came up as a member of the award-winning ADL Adrenalin dance group, performing all over Barbados and backing some of the biggest artists on the island. During that time I was always creating dance videos for myself and for the group, and that naturally pulled me into videography.
One day, while rehearsing at Queen’s Park, I bought my first camera and shot a video that ended up going viral. That moment shifted everything. Through dance and video I connected with Lil Latepik and the NWE team. Being around them every day while they were recording songs at home inspired me more than I expected. The work ethic was unmatched. Every day they were creating something new.
Eventually I tried my first song. I asked Saddis for help and he sat with me to build my first chorus. That moment sparked the birth of Joe Cloudy. From there it became a journey of finding my voice, learning the craft, and exploring all the ways creativity moves through me.
Today I am an award-winning filmmaker with my own studio, Dreaming Cloud Studios. I produce films, music videos, short content, and original projects. Music became a natural extension of everything I was already doing as a creative.
What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I ever received was simple: “Time will teach you”. When I was younger I didn’t really understand it. I thought having a strong song meant automatic success. I was expecting that one hit to blow everything open.
But growth showed me that music is a slow burn. It takes time for people to accept what you bring. It takes time to build a fan base. It takes time for your brand to develop. People overseas often move faster because they have funding behind them. Promotion is expensive; radio, marketing, visuals, content, it all adds up.
What I learned is that success comes from patience and consistency. Good music is only part of it. You need brand identity, strategy, visibility, and community. You need people who genuinely support you. And I am grateful for the fans I do have, because there were many moments I wanted to quit. But then a random person would come up to me and say they love what I am doing, and that small thing would keep me going.
Do it for the love. Let the love come first. The money comes after. Work smart. Build your lane. Build your tribe. And stay committed even when it feels slow. That is the real advice.
How do you stay inspired?
I stay inspired by keeping myself surrounded by creativity. I do music, filmmaking, videography, editing, directing, and production. I move between all of them, and each one fuels the other. Sometimes I work in isolation to tap into myself. Sometimes I lean on my team because this is not a one person sport.
But the biggest thing is staying in motion. I have big dreams and big goals. I know where I want to take my work and I know the legacy I want to leave. That is what keeps me pushing when I feel tired or uncertain.
I don’t follow trends. I create my own. I stay inspired by blending all my skills together and staying connected to the bigger vision. That keeps my creativity alive and rotating.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from an artist you admire that has shaped how you approach your craft?
I admire many artists, but in our space information is hard to come by. A lot of artists see each other as competition, so guidance is rare. But watching both the good decisions and the mistakes that others make has taught me how to position myself for the long run.
I learned the importance of preparing yourself for the moment when that one song connects. I also learned that I haven’t fully unlocked my potential yet because I have been balancing being an artist with being a videographer, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur. My video work has often taken priority because that is what funds everything I do.
I draw a lot of inspiration from independent international artists. The way they promote themselves and build their brand motivates me to create better content and sharpen my strategy. Everything I observe in others helps me grow and avoid the same pitfalls.
What do you ultimately want to achieve?
Every artist wants a hit song and I am no different. But my goals are bigger than one moment of success. I want to elevate Barbadian music and culture to a higher level. I want to create visuals, films, and productions that show the world the talent we have here.
I am working on my first film, Bad Weather of Bridgetown, inspired by my latest EP. My goal is to build a world around my music, create new lanes, and raise the standard of creative output coming from Barbados.
I want to establish myself fully as an artist, filmmaker, producer, and creative director. I want to help other artists unlock their potential through production, visuals, and development. Everything I have learned from watching others and working behind the scenes positions me to guide artists and help them prepare for the world stage. That is the long term vision.
