Name: Antonio Lauradin
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Age: 31
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Ethnicity: Haitian

Explain your journey to where you are now in your career.

Entertaining has always been a part of my life; my father was a musician and radio personality at Radio Soleil in Haiti. So I wasn’t surprised when I picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play, write and produce. My music career as a singer-songwriter-musician started when I performed live for the first time at a talent show; and the feeling on stage plus the reaction of the crowd and being able to connect with people at this ultra-dimensional level was a reinforcement of my calling. Music is in my blood and as long as I’m alive, the journey continues.

How did your Caribbean upbringing contribute to your success?

My Caribbean upbringing contributed to my success in every aspect, from a cultural standpoint to my everyday way of life. I even categorize my music as Caribbean Folk or Caribbean Groove. When I’m writing songs or arranging sounds I think about the struggles and the joy that Caribbean people experience and this stems from my own memories of growing up in Haiti.

What advice turned out most helpful to you?

The most helpful advice I received was “don’t pursue a career in entertainment.” Can you imagine a HS counselor telling you to avoid your dream? That’s what happened to me and it motivated me even more to pursue my dreams because there will always be naysayers. Instead of listening to my counselor I followed the best advice which is “face your fears.”

What advice do you have for readers who are pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?

Stay focused, the only thing to fear is fear itself. If you are going hard, go harder.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

I want to have a positive impact in the world with my music and anything I do. If there’s anything I want my listeners to take away from my music is that we don’t get to choose where we’re born or the circumstances, but our state of mind and how we react is at our discretion. Enjoying life has nothing to do with what you have or don’t have; it’s a state of mind.

How will you know you’ve “officially” made it?

I don’t think in terms of destination or a goal, it’s all about the journey for me. I’m doing it, I continue to push forward and I see the bearing fruits of my labor. Once the world knows Smax Music and understands the concept of enjoying life, I will know that my purpose has been met.