Alejandro defines what it means to be multi-hyphenated.
EARLY LIFE (1994-2012)
Ali, born on October 3, 1994, in the lively city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was raised in a household rich with Caribbean heritage. His mother, hailing from Jamaica, and his father, from the British Virgin Islands, instilled a love for creativity early on. The family home in Alger Heights was a haven of artistic exploration, adorned with drawing paper, markers, and small instruments. At a young age, Ali's artistic journey began when his mother encouraged him to express his emotions through drawing—an invitation that sparked a lifelong passion.
As time went on, Ali's love for all things entertainment flourished. From video games to movies, these shared experiences became the glue that bound his large family in their small but vibrant home. It was here that Ali's creativity knew no bounds, especially when, armed with his father's video camera, he and his siblings ventured into the world of filmmaking. Summer days and free time transformed into a canvas for creativity as young Ali wrote movie scripts, crafted comic books, and edited videos, setting the stage for a lifelong journey into the captivating world of storytelling.
As Ali transitioned to middle school, he attended Sherwood Park Elementary School in 6th grade. However, this phase brought its share of challenges. Bullied for being different, Ali grappled with fitting in. Drawing and writing became his refuge, providing an escape from the difficulties he faced. It was during this time that he had his first experience writing rap—a form of self-expression that would become integral to his creative journey. The passing of his great-grandmother served as a poignant reminder of life's brevity and the urgency to pursue one's passions. Despite facing discouragement from his mother over a written rap expressing a crush, Ali persisted, understanding the power of his creative voice.
Throughout middle school, Ali's mother played a pivotal role in honing his creative abilities. Through various workshops in acting, artwork, and game design, Ali's skills flourished. Despite the challenges, he even landed occasional acting gigs, including a notable performance at Civic Theatre in downtown Grand Rapids, where he graced the stage live.
The transition to City Middle/High School in 7th-12th grade marked a transformative period for Ali. Influenced by rap icons such as T-Pain, Lil Wayne, and J Cole, he delved into the world of rap music. Armed with a webcam, Ali began recording his own raps over beats. A chance encounter with Marvin Gray III (AKA DJ Sketch Gray) and Ryan Payne (later known as MixedByReplxy) at Kendall College of Art and Design led to studio recordings, where Ali honed his skills as a rapper. Collaborating on mixtapes and projects, he found solace and purpose in the studio, often skipping classes to nurture his passion for creating art, and eventually took on the stage name of ALi The Prodigy.
Ali's best friend, Bill (later known as MadVillage Music), joined him on this creative journey, inspired to make beats. The two would attend the studio together, further solidifying their artistic partnership. Ali dedicated most of his spare time to writing and recording songs, creating artwork for his portfolio, and performing locally in Grand Rapids. His commitment and talent were recognized when he was awarded a scholarship for his artwork, providing him the opportunity to attend DigiPen Institute of Technology for college.
COLLEGE YEARS (2012-2016)
In 2012, Ali embarked on a transformative journey, crafting, recording, and performing "The UnderGrad EP," a rap album that vividly depicted his early life experiences, challenges, and marked the transition into adulthood and college life. Following this pivotal moment, Ali ventured into the unknown, leaving home for the first time to attend DigiPen Institute of Technology. College life exposed him to a diverse array of people and ideas, challenging his perspectives and broadening his horizons.
During his college years from 2012 to 2016, Ali initially pursued Concept Art before discovering his passion for Animation. The demanding coursework at DigiPen proved to be challenging, yet Ali persisted, cultivating a deep love for the art form. Despite facing personal struggles, including his grandmother's health crisis leading to vascular dementia and his own battles with depression and anxiety, Ali found solace and purpose in art, music, and entertainment.
Living with his best friend Bill during this period, Ali co-created the "Supreme Being" album in 2014, where Bill crafted beats and Ali penned rhymes, marking a collaborative milestone. Ali continued to release music online, including remixes and freestyles, while also venturing into songwriting for others. College proved to be a nexus of connections, as Ali met individuals who would become future colleagues, coworkers, and collaborators.
In his senior year in 2016, Ali worked on the game project "Ascension," a collaborative effort that earned numerous accolades, including Game of the Year at DigiPen. The recognition from this project was a prelude to a significant milestone in Ali's career—the position of animator at High Moon Studios. Landing this role brought immense relief and marked the beginning of a professional journey where Ali's artistic talents and creative spirit found a home in the dynamic world of game development.
CAREER BEGINNINGS (2016-Present)
Alejandro moved to Carlsbad, California to begin working at High Moon Studios. While there, he worked as an animator on Destiny 2: Forsaken and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 until his position was terminated as a result of a mass layoff in 2019 that affected more than 800 employees.
PUBLIC IMAGE
Ali is renowned for being the life of the party, embodying an infectious love of all things entertainment. His social calendar is brimming with outings to clubs, live performances by local musicians and friends, and active participation in community events and exhibitions. As a dynamic force in the gaming industry, Ali is a sought-after speaker at the Game Developers Conference, where he shares insights and engages in interviews with industry professionals. Notably, he recently conducted an interview with the esteemed animation expert Harvey Newman and has collaborated with popular Twitch streamers. While Ali has a history of Twitch streaming, his charismatic and friendly demeanor has transcended the digital realm, earning him a community of supporters and followers alike. Beyond entertainment, Ali spreads positivity online through motivational, inspiring, and humor-infused content, reflecting his outgoing and approachable nature.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Ali’s expertise in animation has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, contributing to award-nominated titles such as Destiny 2: Forsaken, recognized at The Game Awards 2018 and BAFTA. Apex Legends, which features some of his animations, garnered multiple nominations at BAFTA, NAVGTR, The Game Awards, and Golden Joystick Awards for “Best Ongoing Game”. Notably, Apex Legends secured the title of “Best Multiplayer” at BAFTA in 2020.
BUSINESS VENTURES
Ali’s entrepreneurial journey has been marked by a diverse range of ventures that reflect his passion for both creativity and business acumen. In the early stages, he founded Vision Head Entertainment, a production company dedicated to bringing innovative content to the forefront. Later, Ali ventured into the wellness industry with Defeat Yourself Daily, an online fitness membership - an endeavor driven by his commitment to holistic well-being.
While these initial ventures have transitioned, Ali’s entrepreneurial spirit remains vibrant. Currently, he has found success and fulfillment in real estate as a landlord and Airbnb Host. Managing a growing portfolio of properties across the United States, Ali has honed his skills in property investment and management, leveraging his business acumen in the dynamic real estate landscape.
Inspired by his experience in both real estate and the arts, Ali is passionately working towards his current objective: the establishment of a multi-purpose creative production studio in the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles. This visionary project seeks to merge his expertise in business with his love for the arts, creating a space where innovation and creativity seamlessly coexist.
FUTURE VISION
Ali is guided by a fundamental belief in the interconnected nature of all things, a philosophy that holds particular significance in the realm of entertainment. Spanning across music, art, video games, animation, film, and live performances, Ali envisions a world where the creative process flourishes in an atmosphere of unrestricted expression.
This core belief propels his passionate endeavor to establish a multi-purpose production studio - one where the art of content creation seamlessly merges with the joy of pure creative exploration. Ali envisions a space where the boundaries between work and play blur, fostering an environment that not only produces exceptional content but also cultivates a spirit of enjoyment and spontaneity.
In this envisioned studio, creativity knows no constraints, and the act of crafting becomes a liberating and joyful experience. Ali’s commitment to this vision is a driving force, anticipating a future where the studio stands as a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when creativity is given the freedom to thrive.