There are more than 17,500 species of butterflies throughout the world. In spite of a preconceived notion of overpopulation, the average lifespan of a butterfly is merely 4 weeks. Despite the monthly turnover, the longest living species is the Brimstone Butterfly, which is known to sustain life for a staggering 13 months. From the perspective of a cognitive butterfly, perhaps there is more to life than a brief expression of wonderment for a captive audience — if only time would measure its moments in quantifiable liberation, and shift its hands into translatable emancipation. Herein rings the alarm to sound the personification.
In this current moment, time is of the essence for recording artist and visionary Michael McCloud. In a previous excursion, the world theoretically knew him as Sellah. He is now emerging on a higher path, a prolifically new him as BLCKBUTTERFLY (pronounced Black Butterfly). Although his stage name has changed, the timely premise of his musical mission remains steadfast, and his commitment to showmanship and craft is without contradiction.
"When the world knew me as Sellah, there were too many variables. People were not necessarily following me for my music, but rather because I was modeling and engaging in other high-profile activities in the entertainment industry. Sellah is still my lifestyle brand. However, as BLCKBUTTERFLY, I want people to focus more on my vision and sound."
BLCKBUTTERFLY is a quantified entity who is immeasurable in pleasing possibilities. He is here for the long haul, and he carries the mindful declaration of life beyond a limited destiny. Fighting off depression, the mental transformation started in 2018, when BLCKBUTTERFLY symbolically had a tattoo of a black butterfly imprinted on his body — a physical constant reminder of a desired projectile, as well as a somatic prompt for a coveted trajectory. This was his unconditional call to action.
"Finding value in life is a daily challenge for me. I have personal rituals and mantras that I made for myself to start my days off positive and to focus. I always remind myself that I am still alive and able to go for my dreams. Solely waking up allows me to be grateful that I have another 24 hours to add on to the success rate of my goals. After recently losing so many people in my life (some to suicide), and facing death more than three times, it helped me to not fall down the rabbit hole of unknowingness."
Some cultures, such as the Philippines, carry the belief that black butterflies are the souls of the dead, while other some cultures consider black butterflies as omens of forthcoming disasters. In perceived butterfly fashion, BLCKBUTTERFLY held conference with the stakeholders of death at an early age. Even at his birth, it was firstly assumed that he was already dead, since a heart murmur prevented him from breathing.
Many deep breaths later, at the age of 21, BLCKBUTTERFLY was in a severe car accident, whereby he was hospitalized for over a week, and doctors diagnosed that he assumably should not be alive.
Living through his "coming of age", assumptions are no longer acceptable to BLCKBUTTERFLY. It must be noted that black butterflies can also be referred to as symbols of transformation and change. Put it aside that it was also assumed BLCKBUTTERFLY would die, when he was held at gunpoint… twice.
"I'm old enough to know that I can't keep making certain movements anymore. I need to center myself. I'm going to start seeing a therapist soon. I'm not about having bad mental health. Take care of yourself. Self-love. Self-assurance. Be consistent. Be confident. I'm making sure my mental health is better now, because the way that my music is going, anything can happen. I don't want to be in a place where I'm mentally too broken. Depression was getting me. I want people to learn who BLCKBUTTERFLY is, and why I am here. Good energy."
Much of that energy infuses the musical mindset of BLCKBUTTERFLY. He currently owns his recording company IMMO Records, which is under exclusive license to Equity Distribution (a distribution service by Roc Nation, founded by music legend and mogul Jay-Z). On February 14, 2023, BLCKBUTTERFLY released his single, titled "INDESICSIVE" (intentional spelling). While many fans in multiple countries expected a loving ode on Valentine's Day, the song took an unexpected and surprising undertone. The sonic approach is even more surprising, while the vocal effect is mesmerizing. In the lyrics, he directly calls out a "confrontational enemy".
"The main purpose behind 'INDESICSIVE' was to give an image visually and sonically to the listeners, based on the meaning of the real word 'indecisive'. The common definition of 'indecisive' means not having (and/or not showing) the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. I spelled the word wrong on purpose to show my indecisiveness even in the title of the song. I made the lyrics and production change midway to also portray more indecisiveness based on the theme."
Such indecisiveness is immediately quite apparent within the first second of the music video for the song, as the correct spelling of the word "indecisive" is flashed across the screen in all caps. It is a brief, yet vulnerable, profound testimony that upstages the role of BLCKBUTTERFLY himself. As we deflect into runaway meaning, he takes cue to decisively turn his back on this moment and instead reflect upon the windows of his world — a vantagepoint for guidance and light. In retrospect, BLCKBUTTERFLY considers himself his own "confrontational enemy".
"If I allow the actions of others to get to me, then I become my own enemy. Even when I know they are in the wrong."
While his back is turned, we clearly see that the wings of BLCKBUTTERFLY are not clipped. Nor are they frayed. He is prepped to take flight, ready to transport to transformative destinations of the mind, body, and spirit — all of which notate the composition of his rhythmic heart.
"What I value the most these days is family and real genuine connections with people, who are honest with me more than hiding so much. I find more value in people who can be more themselves with me, over putting on a facade."
Seeing a black butterfly can be a spiritual sign of change, transformation, or renewal. It can also represent the death of negative energies in your life. Black butterflies are thought to bring good luck, so seeing one is often interpreted as an indication of upcoming positive developments.
"I have a song titled 'Gay God', speaking about having 20,000 hours to get my life together. I chose to be away from parties, dating, big cities, and the industry the past three years, just to be closer to my family and teach myself to be a better creator and music artist with no distractions. That alone has brought me so much value in life. I believe we are not in control of what happens, but we are in control of what we do and how we react. Destiny to me is based on what we do to get there, or not do. That is the main reason why I do so much. Actions speak way louder than words will ever. I never will allow anything or anyone to be the reason I felt my destiny never happened. I will continue finding ways to keep reaching for the things I desire the most in my personal life and career."
Credits
- Writer: Shefik
Read Article at GQ South Africa
Last Updated: October 15, 2023
