There are cities that get by on their good looks, offering mountains, oceans, or palm trees. And then, there are cities like Detroit—blue-collar to the core, built on toughness and the resiliency of its people. Detroit doesn’t rely on scenery; it’s driven by grit, heart, and an unmistakable soul. No one can replicate what Detroit gives to the world.
That’s why I’m beyond excited and honored to be a part of Apollo Brown’s Sincerely Detroit record, and so far, the exclusive video producer for the project. This album is a celebration of everything that makes Detroit iconic in the music world—from Motown to hip-hop, from punk to techno, Detroit’s pulse runs through it all.
For the video with Clear Soul Forces, I knew I had to bring that same energy. This crew—Illijade, E-Fav, LAZ, and Noveliss—worked as a cohesive team. Sometimes shooting with a group can be a challenge, but they were down to collaborate, listen to my vision, and add their input. It made the entire process feel like a true partnership, and their energy translated so well on camera.
Apollo’s mantra is “keep it simple,” and we stuck to that. We shot everything in one day, moving fast and improvising locations and camera movements on the fly. It’s always a challenge when you’re working on a tight schedule, but I thrive on challenges. I tried out some new techniques for this video, and I can honestly say I experienced a lot of growth as a filmmaker on this project.
This video? It’s next level. One of the best I’ve done, and it’ll be tough to top. Shoutout to Clear Soul Forces for their energy and collaboration, and of course to Apollo Brown and Sincerely Detroit for letting me represent my city in such a meaningful way.
Now, Mello Music Group… still waiting for that Instagram follow!
For more of my work, check out www.auxiliarycinema.com. Let me know how I did with this one! Photos below by Brandon Damon.
