- Mar 29, 2021
- 4 min read

Pushing The Envelope: Cap' City Creatives Pt. 2

Continuing to highlight greatness in Millennials all over the world, the Pushing The Envelope series presents pt.2 of Cap' City Creatives.

Lansing, MI isn't short on creative Millennials. The 517 is known for its elders, but it's the youth that are primed to take over and continue its reputation as a city capable of producing some of the top performers in their industry. Let's jump into pt. 2 and continue highlighting the excellence of Lansing's young creatives.

Mariah Powell, Prophetess - Author - Youtuber

Prophetess. Author. Youtuber. WOW.

Mariah is creative in the divine and fun work she is doing. Her book 21 Days Of Purpose is available for pre-order right now*, she has funny mukbangs on youtube, gives ministries, has started a publishing company and the list goes on! What you have to understand about creativity is the black and white nature of it. It's simple: use your God-given abilities to a purpose, and let flow from you what only you know you're capable of. Mariah epitomizes this.

"Purpose is simply finding your superpower! In my story, I am the HERO and my SUPERPOWERS are my kindness, compassion, creativity, prayer, and LOTS of faith. What are yours?"

-Prophetess Mariah Powell

Ready Roc and Sammie SoS, Music Artists - Videography

They are brothers that come from a big family based in Lansing, and through the noise and temptation of Lansing streets they both have grown into skilled rap artist - and a steady creative mind behind the camera in the case of Sammie. Using rap as their music vehicle, they have brought creativity to the forefront of the streets language. You can see that creativity on full display in Ready Roc's rap reproduction of The Gap Band's "Outstanding"*. You can check that on Youtube, same place you can check out Sammie SoS's rap and video work.*

Sammie addressed the drive to be creative behind the mic and the lens: "One thing that gives me drive when I'm in the booth, is being in the booth alone and creating off of vibes and emotions that I'm feeling at the time.. When I'm behind the lens it drives me to learn how an artist should appear on camera"

ReadyRoc spoke on his brothers and friends inspiring his love for rap: "Bizz and Truth. They pushed me to make music; due to [NoPick] Bizz being incarcerated, he can't make music, so I just want to hold it down until he's back free. Truth used to book studio time. Most importantly, Kelz, my good childhood friend and brother, told me to leave the streets alone."

Darion Brown, Actor - Speaker - Emcee - Co Founder of Generation of Dreams

Another perennial creative from the 517, Darion has had his hands in everything. He is a published and skilled actor, amazing event host, an inspiring speaker and so much more. He leverages his creativity to bring the most out of himself in all areas of life. It'll be the day if you catch Darion, sometimes called DB, in anything but a fresh fit, haircut to a T, on his way to one of his many endeavors. In addition to acting*, speaking and hosting, he is a youth pastor, a mentor, and co-founder of the aforementioned Generation of Dreams, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the greatness out of the communities youth through positive intervention and exposure. He heads that alongside another 517 millennial doing big things: Erick Glass.

Darion has used many different avenues for creative outlet, he speaks on what drove him to do that: "Creativity is a gift that is transferable to a lot of different avenues. Acting, speaking, or cooking, its all kind of art - differently"

Diamond Jones, Musical Artist

Diamond is on the shortlist of the best of the best rappers from Lansing, MI. Still early in his career, he has created track after track of hits that touch on misunderstood love, misplaced trust in the streets, and the price of grinding towards money and fame. He's worked with famed youtube stars and NBA ballers in the booth*, and each song displays a side of Diamond's creativity that is unmatched and unique on Lansing's radar. He has fly visuals and a creative persona that makes him a star now and in the making.

Diamond gave a simple answer on what makes him keep creating when success is up and the stakes are low: "The fact that everything is going right let's me know that I'm doing what God has planned for me!"

Ayub Bussuri, Videography - Photographer - Web Series Host - Founder of A4L Productions

Ayub is the mind behind one of the most popular video and photo production brands in the area (A4L Productions*). His fly visuals are creative greatness around the 517, and his ability to capture soul in his stills are what make him a sought after photographer. He was born in Kenya, and that mix of African flavor has certainly made Ayub stand out. Ayub is still very young and has already ascended the 517's creative scene, all that's left to do is dominate it.

Ayub, does the word "creative" mean to you?

"The word creative to me means being free with your ideas; not putting a cap on them or allowing them to be closed in. Allowing your thoughts to speak out loud."

From Ayub back up to Mariah, from Pt.1's finest to the (soon coming) pt. 3 finale, Michigan's capital city is in great creative hands, and those hands are growing daily.