Entertainment
Movie star Akeem Mair is the entertainment industry’s up-and-coming icon !!!
Movie star Akeem Mair is the entertainment industry’s up-and-coming icon. In his career as an artist, he has appeared in several movie productions including Its on You, 417: Person with a Gun, Gangster City, Jolly Boy Friday, Life of a Villain, Red, Fine Line, Happy Birthday, The Kidnap, etc.
Akeem has signed with two agencies: Commercial Talent Agency (under Sarah Angeli) and Minc Talent (under Mariko Ballentine). At 33, Akeem is in his prime. With his noteworthy work ethic and passion, he is destined for greater heights. In fact, he has over 5 million views for a single video alone – the time when he appeared for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which Ellen described as “the best episode she’s ever seen.” Also appearing on Iyanla’s Fix My Life on Oprah’s network, Apex Legends commercial with over 1 Million views on YouTube, Let’s Make A Deal with Wayne Brady, and many more.
Besides this feature with Shoutout LA, Akeem appears in many publications such as Voyage LA, 360 Magazine, Cliche Magazine, Occhi Magazine, KB Popculture, Kivo Daily, Naluda Magazine, Tha Wilson Block Magazine, The Hype Magazine, Dark Magazine, Vents Magazine, We Entertainment News, Star Central Magazine, Natfluence, US Reporter, American Reporter, Time Bulletin, Top 15 Entrepreneurs, LA Wire’s Top 20 IG Accounts to Follow in 2020, and many more.
How did you get started in acting?
I didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to make it out of Hollywood. I actually wanted to be a financial banker. I watched Michael Douglas in the movie called, “The Game,” and I was hooked. The 2000 BMW 740 i, the classy suits, and the stock exchange office. From his personal maid that lives with him in a fancy mansion, I was convince to be financed banker. But one day while working at Ralph’s grocery store, a loyal customer changed my destiny. I was a cashier at Ralph’s when a customer I knew quite well was apparently in a sad mood. So I did my best to brighten up her day using my big positive personality that my customers loved so much. I remember saying, “hi it’s so good to see you again, I hope you found everything ok?” She said quietly, “yes thank you!” I told her, “usually I see you smiling but whatever you’re going through I know God will pull you out of it!” “ He’ll never give you anything you can’t handle!”
After the transaction I said, “have a bless day, I hope to see you again!!” She stood there frozen for a minute and then finally looked at me. I could see the tears in her eyes when she replies, “Are you an actor?” I said, “No. Why do you ask?” She said, “Because you have this big positive energy. You move people by it. You lifted my spirits after I just lost my home in a foreclosure today.” Her words cut deep within me. After my shift, I rushed home and wondered, What would my life look like if I was a successful Actor? I thought about how I could help millions of people with my big personality the same way I helped her. It was that night I knew I wanted to become an actor. I searched how to get started in acting and it lead to me to Central Casting. And as they say, the rest is history!
What is the most rewarding aspect about being an actor?
It’s most rewarding when you inspire people around you to go after their dreams or fight for whatever they want in life. Sometimes you don’t notice that people are watching you secretly. I remember a few years back when I was going through a serious depression and had given up my pursuit in making it in Hollywood. One of my friends notice I disappeared from the entertainment world and reach out to me to find out what happened. I told him, “it’s been rough and my progress became stagnant. A big casting director slammed the door in my face and I crashed my truck.” After hearing that my friend said, “that’s why you quit??” He said, “let me be honest with you bro I was so inspired by you and what you’ve been able to accomplish. I said to myself if Akeem can do it, then I can do it!” “You can’t just quit bro because you will let me down!” He really opened my eyes that day. I didn’t realize that people are watching me and low key keeping tabs on me. One day I turned the lights off in my bedroom and stared into the darkness pondering on what I wanted to do and all of the people who are counting on me to stick with it. This time I attack my dreams head on while carrying the weight of everyone’s expectations on my back. When you hear people tell you how inspired they are by what you do everyday it is the most rewarding feeling.
What sets you apart from other actors or actress in the industry?
What sets me apart from everyone else in Hollywood is that I’m not afraid to fail or dream big. You’re gonna be doubted, called delusional, or laughed at for having big dreams. And it may even come from people you care about like your friends and family. I didn’t care. Some people are afraid to stand out and try new things because it leads to failure and it’s uncomfortable to be in the unknown. I didn’t care. My strong faith has always been my biggest weapon. I just refused to think small or doubt if it will work out. I have always carry the idea that God has my back in everything I do. So regardless if the opposition is stacked high against me, I’m always attacking. Sometimes I fail and do I’ll do it again, fail and keep going like I didn’t fail at all. I am a go getter at heart and so nobody needs to baby me. I got this!
So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?
Things today are going better than they were years ago. Since recovering from my depression and attacking my dreams in a different way of thinking than before, I booked a Nintendo Switch Apex Legends Commercial, Dominguez Firm Commercial still airing on TV, appeared on CBS Let’s Make A Deal last December, Appeared on Ellen Degeneres Show August 2019, Booked two feature films “It’s On You” and “Black Caesar Pirate King,” Appeared in several Magazines such as Naluda Magazine, 360 Magazine, Vents Magazine, Kivo Daily, LA Voyage, We Entertainmemt News, KB Pop Culture, The Hype Magazine, The Native Influence, Occhi Mag, Cliche Magazine, Tha Wilson Block Mag, Star Central Magazine, NY Wire’s Top 25 Individuals, US Reporter’s Top 15 Entrepreneurs, LA Wire’s Top 20 IG Accounts to Follow in 2020, and many more. I feel like grit and resilience is in every in I do. How you must hold your head up in all your auditions. Even if doesn’t go your way, know that you did your best and there are so many opportunities still out there. Being resilient even if you don’t have a lot of money and you got so much to pay for like acting classes, online services, clothes, and stuff like that to make it in this business. The grit and resilience to stay up in the middle of the night to get things done when you hear people sleeping or watching tv in the other room. It’s not easy but it’s my passion. I must have grit and resilience to make it!
Where do you see yourself in the entertainment industry in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years I see myself doing exactly what Denzel Washington or Will Smith has done with their respective careers; win an Oscar, become A Lister, be apart of plenty blockbuster movies, become a household name, a true superstar in Hollywood. My main goals has always been the same in this industry, I want to be at the top of the mountain. It’s never been about the money or the fame but being the greatest of all time! What I’m asking for is tremendous hard work and sacrifices but I’m willing to pay the cost.
FB: Akeem Mair
There’s a new wave rising out of Birmingham, and it isn’t following anyone’s blueprint. It’s being written, sung, shaped, and completely owned by The Ladies of SRJR Productions: Chay Crews (Chay Butta), Donna Ingram (Lady D), LaCindra McGowan (Sweet Lou), and the forever honored Andrea Carlisle (Drea’ C).
A singing group built on soul, strength, testimony, and truth, SRJR isn’t just harmonizing. They are healing communities, empowering women, and redefining what modern, women-led vocal artistry looks and feels like. They aren’t simply making music. They’re creating moments, building messages, and crafting a sound that comes from real life, real loss, and real love.
WHERE THEIR VOICES MEET, MAGIC HAPPENS
SRJR is not your typical girl group. They never intended to be. They are a blend of lived experiences, spiritual depth, Birmingham grit, and a bond of sisterhood so thick you can hear it before they even open their mouths.
Chay Butta brings the fire: sharp, fierce, and electric.
Lady D delivers the heart: warm, emotional, and grounding.
Sweet Lou carries the soul: deep, rich, and unforgettable.
And Drea’ C’s legacy is the air between every harmony they build: present, powerful, eternal.
Together, they create a sound that feels like truth. Warm, fearless, textured, and unapologetically theirs. A vocal chemistry that can’t be taught, only lived. Their connection is the kind that transforms a performance into an experience. One that leaves audiences feeling seen, soothed, and stirred.
A VOCAL STYLE THAT HITS DIFFERENT
SRJR’s music moves with purpose, intention, and emotional weight. Their harmonies glide from smooth and silky to bold and commanding, layering warmth, grit, softness, and attitude all in the same breath. Their tone blends southern soul, gospel roots, R&B richness, and modern storytelling, creating a sound that feels handcrafted rather than manufactured.
Their performances resonate because they come from real stories: stories of family, adversity, community, womanhood, prayer, and resilience. Every note they sing has lived inside them long before it reaches the microphone. Every lyric reveals another piece of who they are and what they’ve overcome.
For SRJR, this is not just singing. It is testimony set to melody. Their music is a reminder that pain can be turned into power, and that harmony is created not just in voices but in shared journeys.
A GROUP THAT SINGS FOR THE PEOPLE
Ask SRJR what their mission is, and their answer always stands taller than the music.
“We want people to see themselves in the stories we create.”
Their songs uplift Black and brown communities, inspire young dreamers, and remind women everywhere that their voices are powerful and necessary. They sing to encourage, to comfort, to empower, and to remind people that they are not alone.
Their artistry is heartfelt. Their message is intentional. Their impact is lasting, long after the last note fades. They are the kind of group whose words linger in the mind and whose harmonies touch the spirit.
CARRYING LEGACY IN EVERY NOTE
Drea’ C may no longer be here physically, but her presence is woven into every rehearsal, every stage moment, and every vocal blend. Her energy guides them. Her influence shapes them. Her spirit lifts them.SRJR rises because of her, sings because of her, and honors her each time their voices unite. That devotion gives the group a depth and emotional weight you can feel even without knowing their full story a legacy that does not dim, only grows stronger with every performance.
THE NEXT CHORUS IS THEIR BIGGEST YET
With new music in the works, expanding audiences, and momentum that grows with every performance, The Ladies of SRJR Productions are stepping confidently into a spotlight they built with their own hands. They aren’t trying to fit into the industry’s mold. They are creating their own harmony: bold, soulful, authentic, and beautifully unified.
From Birmingham to every stage they touch, SRJR carries one message forward: Three voices rising. One legacy honored. Infinite impact. And their sound is only getting louder.
OFFICIAL PLATFORM
Their official YouTube channel, featuring music, performances, and creative releases:
https://youtube.com/@
When you first land on The Megamynd’s website or listen to his debut single “Tonight,” what strikes you most is duality — the kind of contrast that feels carefully crafted, emotionally honest, and boldly ambitious. Born in Baltimore and now based in Atlanta, The Megamynd is carving out a lane in modern music that blends vulnerability and swagger, melancholy and energy.
The Megamynd fuses his Baltimore roots with an Atlanta upbringing, channeling those life experiences into a “genre-fluid” sound that’s emotionally raw and musically experimental. His stage name is no accident — it’s a nod to the DreamWorks character Megamind, whose journey from villain to hero mirrors the artist’s own story of transformation.
Signature Sound: Cinematic Rockstar Trap
If you had to label his music, “cinematic rockstar trap” comes closest. But even that feels too simple. His work weaves together:
Trap: hard-hitting beats and unpredictable flow.
R&B: soulful, sometimes melancholic melodies.
Futuristic synths: atmospheric textures that evoke movies or late-night thoughts.
This wasn’t pulled out of thin air: The Megamynd cites major influence from Playboi Carti, Yeat, and Ken Carson — artists known for pushing boundaries in trap and melodic rap.
Debut Single: “Tonight”
Released on November 7, 2025, “Tonight” is more than just a song — it’s an introduction into The Megamynd’s world. The track is cinematic in its construction: emotionally charged, filled with tension, and heavy with the uncertainty of a fleeting night.
In interviews, he describes the inspiration behind “Tonight” as capturing that seductive, in-between moment — the pull of attraction, the haze of a night out, and the question of whether what’s happening is real or just temporary. According to commentary, the production rides between smooth R&B and bold trap shifts, underscoring his talent for balancing vulnerability with bravado.
A Distinct Visual Identity
His artistry doesn’t stop at the music. The Megamynd’s visual identity is deeply considered: he blends rockstar aesthetics with business-casual streetwear, creating a look that’s polished and edgy at the same time. Recurring colors — blue, black, and gold — reinforce his brand as someone who is confident yet reflective, refined yet rebellious.
Personality & Passions
Beyond the stage, The Megamynd is multidimensional. On his site, he reveals personal interests that give fans a fuller sense of who he is: he’s into video games, anime, and — unexpectedly — lobster and steak. This mix of passions aligns with his creative vision: playful, thoughtful, and unafraid to defy expectations.
He also approaches his growth with a DIY mindset — determined to build his own path rather than follow a pre-made one. He’s focused on crafting meaningful music, engaging authentically with fans, and growing a brand that’s as emotionally resonant as it is stylistically bold.
Why He Matters
Genre Innovation: In a music landscape that often leans into formula, The Megamynd’s sound feels fresh, cinematic, and deeply personal.
Authentic Identity: He doesn’t hide behind persona; his name, visuals, and stories all connect in a meaningful way.
Emotional Storytelling: His music isn’t just about beats or flex — it’s about longing, introspection, and human connection.
What’s Next?
Right now, “Tonight” is just the beginning. According to his site, he’s laying the foundation for a larger catalog filled with emotionally driven, sonically experimental music. As he builds his presence, he’s also leaning into content creation, brand-building, and consistent engagement — all part of his plan to grow organically.
The Megamynd is an emerging artist who doesn’t just make music — he builds worlds. With his cinematic trap style, thoughtful visuals, and clear sense of identity, he’s someone to watch closely. If “Tonight” is any indication, his journey has only just begun.
Follow The Megamynd
At Leonard Magazine, we spotlight leaders who don’t just talk about success—they live through the doubt, the fatigue, and the uncertainty, and still choose to keep going. When we discovered Manuel Aragon’s blog, “Becoming a Champion: Adopting the Winning Mentality to Mold Leaders,” we found exactly that kind of story.
Manuel is the founder of Aragon Tax Return Services, but his journey starts far from spreadsheets and tax codes. It begins with honesty and authenticity you don’t see often:
“Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect it. Unexpected changes in life, or just the everyday uncertainties of life can make staying motivated very challenging. I’m not motivated every day; if anything I lost a sense of direction over the past year. I’m tired and exhausted but still I’m building towards a much bigger vision. Uncertainty can be scary but I never lose focus on the long term goals.”
That vulnerability sets the tone for everything that follows—both in his life and in his business.
Embracing the Challenge
Manuel explains that the first step is accepting that uncertainty is a natural part of life. Instead of letting the unknown paralyze him, he focuses on removing the emotional noise and making logical decisions:
“It’s an opportunity to test myself in the chaos. It’s like shooting practice in the gym. The crowd isn’t around, just hard work and dedication.”
That image—quiet practice, no spotlight, just repetition and discipline—captures the mentality behind Aragon Tax Return Services. Much of the work his firm does for clients is behind the scenes, but it’s foundational: protecting their finances, bringing clarity to their numbers, and helping them plan for what’s next.
Manuel draws deeply from the mindset of Michael Jordan, keeping quotes in his office as daily reminders. One of his favorites:
“My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”
This isn’t just a slogan for him; it’s a strategy. Whether it’s a complex tax situation, a tough season in life, or the pressure of leadership, the goal is the same: turn pressure into growth.
Chasing Greatness, Not Just “Good Enough”
Manuel reflects on his ability to adapt and stay true to himself—whether he’s in a boardroom “wearing my Jordans and a hoodie” or working quietly behind the scenes. Leadership, he notes, means being exposed when mistakes happen:
“My dad always said when you climb the ladder you leave your backside exposed for the world to see when you stumble.”
Instead of letting that fear hold him back, Manuel chooses not to look down—only up. He focuses on improving how he uses his time, educating himself, and doing work that’s genuinely impactful for the people around him.
He writes:
“Achieving greatness is not predetermined by fate; it is a decision we make. We each have the option to strive to uncover and express our individual greatness. Chasing greatness results in leading a meaningful life.”
That same philosophy shows up in how he runs Aragon Tax Return Services: don’t settle for average, don’t just “get by,” and don’t treat taxes as a once-a-year chore. Treat your finances as part of your legacy.
Staying Grounded While Aiming Higher
Manuel also opens up about isolation and growth. During uncertain times, he shares that he didn’t always want to be around friends, family, or support groups—but he recognized the need to break that pattern and face growth head on.
He looks to leaders like Kobe Bryant for that extra push:
“Pain doesn’t tell you when you ought to stop. Pain is the little voice in your head that tries to hold you back because it knows if you continue, you will change.”
That line could apply to a tough workout, a difficult tax season, or a major life transition. For Manuel, it’s all connected: personal growth, leadership, and service to his clients.
He also points to inspiration beyond sports, like Malala Yousafzai: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” In that same spirit, Aragon Tax Return Services isn’t just about compliance. It’s about equipping people—especially those who may feel overlooked—to build something lasting.
For readers who want to go beyond the article and connect with the person who has actually walked through uncertainty, fatigue, rebuilding, and growth:
Connect with Manuel personally:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manuelaragon_aragontaxreturnservices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manuel.aragon.5264
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-aragon-26084187
- Visit Aragon Tax Return Services: www.AragonTaxReturnServices.com
Behind his mindset is a business built to serve real people with real financial needs.
If you’re reading this and you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next financial move—you’re not alone. Manuel has been there. He’s felt the exhaustion, the doubt, and the pressure to keep everything together. And he’s turned that experience into a commitment: to show up for others with honesty, clarity, and real support.
If you’re ready to bring a champion’s mentality to your finances, your business, or your family’s future, Aragon Tax Return Services is a great fit to walk that path with you—not from a distance, but side by side.
Inside Eddie Anthony’s Streetwear Vision: How Music, Identity, and Hip-Hop Became a Fashion Brand
The Ladies of SRJR: Four Voices, One Powerful Sound
Unpacking The Megamynd: A Cinematic Visionary Rising in Trap
NALA, 23-YEAR-OLD MILLIONAIRE WHO LIVES BY PASSION
NOMADS are changing the landscape of the music business
