Detroit’s History in Break Dancing Hip-hop: Ismail Walton

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Ismail Walton has used Hip-hop as his canvas for creativity. An original breakdancer from Southwest Detroit his talents have taken him across the nation. Today Walton uses that approach towards creativity to design fashion and invent. His Coat which is a book-bag has garnered the attention of schools, foundations, and corporations. As he prepares for the release of his fashion invention, Walton visits Detroit is Different to talk Detroit hip-hop dance. If you’re interested in jitting (jitterbug), popping and locking, breaking, and ticking from an originator Walton gives insight. He also talks about the history of Black Southwest Detroit. His dance crew defeating Anita Baker in a talent show, his childhood friendship with Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory, and friendship with fashion icon Maurice Malone are all explored in this interview.

What began as a journey engaging hip-hop audiences, has grown into a career as a marketing consultant. As business people have seen my work, I was propositioned many times to provide graphic design, photography, videography, event planning, website development, and social media campaigning. These initial business contracts inspired me to build Creative Differences Marketing. I’ve balanced my entrepreneurial experience with formal education from Walsh College of Business and Accountancy. My degree in Marketing serves me well in understanding many of the formal, universal, and theoretical marketing approaches used in corporate environments. Formulating this business model has been anchored by the success of my BLOG ‘Detroit is Different.’ I create all content for Detroit is Different. This serves as a prototype of the ways I can design events, websites, graphics, music, podcasts, social media campaigns, and e-mail campaigns. ‘Detroit is Different’ focuses on the people and places of Detroit that add to the culture. Through these people and places, themes are driven. These themes will partner with, sponsor, and advertise for businesses and organizations using this innovative multilevel marketing approach.