Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Arkade.
Hi Andre, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My inconceivable journey began at a very young age. As a kid, I grew up a fan of pro wrestling. Admiring the charismatic, larger-than-life entertainers I’d see in WWF/WWE and WCW, like Sting, The Ultimate Warrior, and Jeff Hardy, I dreamed of inspiring others similarly, which I was inspired by—only one problem. I was a naturally quiet and shy kid. How was a quiet kid going even to be noticed enough to make an impact on the world? I had no idea what was truly in store for my life down the road. In my teenage years, I discovered a talent for dance. While honing my craft, I had prominent opportunities to tour as a backup dancer for several years. After shifting my passions towards DJing, several connections I made throughout my dance career led me to become the full-time DJ of GRAMMY-nominated artist FLAME. My first show was in front of over 13,000 people at Northlands Coliseum in Alberta, Canada. It was a trial by fire, but fortunately, I passed the test! Since then, I’ve been blessed to DJ for and share the stage with artists like NF, Lecrae, Dee-1, Wande, KB, Torey D’Shaun, etc., and DJ at several games for both the NBA and MLB.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly has been a challenging road. Growing up a timid kid, the journey to becoming completely comfortable on stage was daunting. My secret weapon came in the form of a mask. Drawing from my love of pro wrestling and EDM culture, I wore a glowing, sound-reactive mask during my first arena show. While masked, I realized I felt a sense of pure freedom from my timidity that I’d rarely experienced otherwise. Not only did it make me feel comfortable on stage, but it also gave me a very unique and enigmatic look that set me apart from others. From that day, I incorporated various masks and face paint into my onstage persona while touring as a DJ.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m very proud to be a multifaceted creative. While primarily known for my high-energy DJ performances & unique look, I’m also now a Gamer/Streamer. What sets me apart as a multimedia production specialist is my uncanny creativity. My video production and graphic design skills allow me to continue bringing ideas to life without restrictions of “if” something is possible to do. If I can dream it, I can create it and thus provide it for the viewers’ entertainment. You never know what you’ll get the next time you tune into a stream. I also love helping others bring their ideas to life – sometimes live on stream!
How do you define success?
Success is knowing that I utilized the gifts and talents God has given me for His glory while helping others in the process. I find joy in assisting others in reaching the next level in their passions and want to continue giving and giving to others. I’m continually living successfully the more I empty myself for others. And the more I empty myself, the more God continually refills me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AndreArkade.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/AndreArkade
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndreArkade
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndreArkade
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/AndreArkade
- Other: www.twitch.tv/AndreArkade
