Meet Corey Blackman of Downtown Muskegon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Blackman

Hi Corey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started with my love for music and art. As a child, I was heavily influenced by the Motown sound and a new art called Hip Hop. My first introduction to a camera was at the age of 10 when I was given the official job of family photographer, so with a disposable camera in hand my journey began. The former Muskegon Hts School System installed a sense of pride and art that I could only compare to growing up in the Harlem Renaissance. We studied music and the arts during and after school via the Flight program(R.I.H Brian Wheeler). My first book report was about a book written by Langston Hughes. Fast forward years later, I studied Graphic Arts under Mr Dick Edstum at the Muskegon Area Consortium. I excelled in the Graphic Arts, but most of all I found a love that would stick with me for life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely been a rough road, but I’ve always elected to take the high one. Guilty of having big-city dreams in a small-town mentality, I never doubted that I could achieve whatever I wanted to because my Mother taught me that everything I wanted to know was written in a book, I just needed to find that book. Growing up in one of the most impoverished towns in America, a burnt-out factory town called Muskegon didn’t exactly have a lot to offer a budding Urban Artist like me. I just refused to lose.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an author, cinematographer, photographer, graphic designer, and content creator. I have been in the creative industry for more than 25 years. Video is my Specialty. Dubbed the “Video god” by my local community, I’m probably most known for my Debut Track Load UnLoad on Jive/Zomba’s Sickwitit imprint courtesy of none other than the Legendary Earl Stevens aka E-40. My most proud moments come from rearing my children and teaching them my work ethic. I would have to say my mind and the ability to reset and reshape my thinking pattern has to be my superpower and no matter what situation I find myself in, I’m still Chill.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I mean, we all know the saying: “The bigger the risk, the bigger the win”. I’ve always been able to walk that fine line between risking it all and being reserved. I have had to take risks when no one else believed in my vision… I’ll bet the whole house on me! I have lost way more than I’ve won but I learned each time even if it was simply what not to do again. One thing I’ll leave with you is this: Life is all about risk assessment, you just have to get out of your comfort zone.

Pricing:

• Wedding Package: $1500 – 4k
• Music Video: $1500
• Videography: $1k per day
• Custom Hand Drawn art: $200
• Logo Design: $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chillapertilla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillapertilla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pertilla
• Twitter: https://x.com/chillapertilla
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqXNngg2RSvYNjuwTNFRJig
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@emagfilms7728