OCTOBER 2022 - KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN-
Benjamin Alvarez, also known as ‘Healix’ is a musical artist originally from Long Beach, California, who is now residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The artist has a lot of projects to look forward to in the upcoming seasons. He derives from humble beginnings and has been dedicated to his work continuously over the past few years. He has been focused on never stopping his development and also always having content to strive for. “Creatively, I’m working on music. I’m a lyricist, so words have a great meaning to me. I’m currently working on a few songs like “October” which will be releasing on Saturday, October 29th and “I Will Always Love you” releasing Friday. November 11th! Music will always be my creative outlet, I’m constantly looking for ways to reinvent my craft & explore new sounds!” With the right intentions ahead, the unique business owner is very innovative with his work, and has qualities of being a great listener, positive, and diligent , Healix stays inspired.
Healix seeks honesty on his journey and remains heavily influenced by particular motivating factors. He knows where his passion starts from and speaks more on his inspirations that keep him consistent through the hardships. “Struggles are a part of life, to overcome them is a whole different story. If I could tell young Benjamin the keys on how to overcome adversity, I would ask him, can you atleast see the next step? Most often then not, you can. You don’t have to have the full journey figured out but you also can’t stop, by taking the next step, you’ll be able to figure out the next step and the next step and the next step and so on. Truth is, I don’t have everything figured out, but by taking that next step, I am now one step closer to where I want to be. I don’t dwell or complain about my situation, rather sharpen iron with iron.” Healix stays consistent and has been seen at lots of shows doing what he loves most.
Where are you from?
I was born in Long Beach, California. My father is from Guatemala & my mother is from El Salvador. This makes my three brothers & I, first-generation Americans.
Give Three qualities that describe you:
1. I’m a great listener. Often, my core group of people will come to me and express what they are currently going through, feeling, or to simply just have a conversation. I want people to leave with insight on themselves when they talk to me, we all love being heard!
2. Positivity. I get this from my father. “No te agüites.” He would always say to me growing up. It means don’t worry, or don’t put yourself in worry. I like this because when I’m faced with challenges, I know that the outcome wIll be in my favor. Even if all I got from the challenge was a lesson.
3. Diligence. I’m never going to stop chasing my goals. I’m persistent. Diligence to me means consistency even through the trials of life. Being a landscape architect has its perks but it also has its cons. Like, early mornings, lifting heaving material & hitting my finger with a hammer every once and awhile. This doesn’t stop me from working hard though, diligence builds great character, so when times get hard I’m prepared.
What is inspiring you right now consistently to work on your endeavors?
My closest friends, family & regret. Recently I’ve become a part of a collective called “Caged Lotus”. We’ve been taking over Kalamazoo, Michigan! With shows like “caselton”, “pioneer street/friends and family showcase”, “goldn lotus festival”, yes, our own festival & “art books”! We’ve recently had the opportunity to travel to Detroit, Michigan to perform at PJ’s Lager & are now waiting for our next show the “hot cocoa social” which will give other creatives to perform & showcase their talent. Recently, this has been the driving force, inspiring me to create more and pursue my goals/dreams.
My family and I grew up in the low class or what j. cole would call it “hood rich”. Since a youngin I’ve wanted to see my father own a home without the struggle of paying rent or being evicted. Financial Freedom or being able to acquire the opportunity to access or participate in engaging activities with my family motivates me to continue on my endeavor of music and life.
Lastly, regret. I don’t want to be 80 looking back at life and seeing myself not take the chances or the opportunities to become a well known artist & to make an impact on people's lives. At 80 I’ll be able to look back and see myself on the stage, giving it my all. To me, I can alleast say I tried. As opposed to never knowing what I could've been.
As a business owner, what are some obstacles you have had to overcome to get where you are at?
1. Action. Action is the root to my success. If I hadn’t taken any action, I wouldn’t be at where I am today.
2. Strategic thinking.If I’m constantly thinking about how I’m never going to make it to the big leagues, then, I’m most likely not going to make it to the big leagues. Controlling your thoughts, controls your emotions, which controls your actions thus affecting your life. It starts with the way you think!
3. Lastly, trial & error. I have a love-hate relationship with failure. But in order to grow, you must fail and in order to know you must try. Countless times I have messed up a quote for a landscaping project, but without that mess up or experience, I wouldn’t have gotten the idea to charge 30% on top of the materials needed to get a job done. Or how long it actually takes to build a 15 by 11 foot patio!
What do you have coming up right now that you want others to know about?
My unreleased music! Like I said before, I have two songs getting ready to release! (“October” which will be releasing on Saturday, October 29th and “I Will Always Love you” releasing Friday. November 11th!) I’m excited for my fans to hear what I have to say and for them to experience a different sound from me. Most know me as a raw hip hop artist and for a while I intended it to be that way, but recently I’ve been falling in love with singing. I'll always love fast, raw hip hop vocals, but I’m moving on & rediscovering my sound. I know y’all will vibe to them!
Even though Healix is devoted to perfecting the art of his craft to the highest level, his hardships have made him want to do even better in his business as well. “Words and clear and concise communication are your best friends. I wouldn’t be able to share this without words or communication. So, if I could leave others knowing that mending that broken relationship, or asking for that raise at their job, or standing up for what is right takes considerate and honorable communication.” Healix is now focused on continuing to be the best in his city, so that he can build on his already strong foundation.
Healix mentions within the interview that certain individuals in his life have inspired him to be great, starting from his own family. “Life has given me people which have given me examples of love, loyalty, care & thoughtfulness. Those people have now allowed me to know and act these qualities out. This goes out to my father, always seeing the glass half full. Raising three kids on his own, without my mother. All while being an immigrant. My “second mother” Kim. Taking me and my brothers under her wing and providing meals, transportation, opportunity and sometimes even gas money. One of my best friends and his mom. David & Kathy. When I didn’t have a place to stay or bed to lay on, they offered me the luxury to stay with them under their roof. His mother taught my thoughtfulness. & he taught me friendship. My best friends Micheal and Darius. Micheal taught me how to listen and Darius has always stood up for me. Kristen. Loyalty is unknown in my family. My mother leaving left my brothers and I feeling abandoned, shameful, hurt and unknowing. Kristen has shown me countless times what it is to be loyal, caring & loving. It does exist, coming from a mind where it didn’t in the past. Lastly, but most importantly, Jesus, yeshua, God. Giving me the morals of what it is to be a good human being.”
As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, a lot of big-crowd events, like concerts and festivals, were banned in 2021. This was because of restrictions put in place by both the city and the federal government. As a result, the number of chances for artists to show off their skills has been dramatically cut down. Healix remained optimistic through it all.
Public Relations Agency, #Focuseddd, highlights the skills and motivations of people who have a good reason for what they do, like Benjamin Alvarez, also known as ‘Healix’.
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