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How did you decide to bring Godspeed Labs in LA to a close? What was that process 

like?

“This May, we’ll be celebrating three years of Godspeed, but we'll also be celebrating the close of this LA location. Moving to Brooklyn has been in the cards for me for a while now, and I'm finally making it happen this summer. 2025 was our biggest year yet, which is great, but I also feel like we've hit that glass ceiling that people talk about. So for me, it's time to refresh, get some new inspiration, and some new energy. I'll still be bicoastal, this isn't by no means the end of Godspeed [in LA], but it's definitely time to like, level up.”

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You’re moving Godspeed to New York. Do you feel like you have an idea of what you want to build out there? 

“I've got a lot of ideas, I am already collaborating with an architect, and looking at potential spaces on both coasts, so we'll see how that pans out.”

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One thing about Godspeed that I noticed, and saw when I was there with you, was an emphasis on space. So, going back to the beginning, what was your first impression of the Godspeed space in LA? 

“I loved the open floor plan and how raw it felt. It seemed like a canvas that, for me, as an artist, I could paint on and make whatever I want. All of those elements really spoke to me, and the location was really incredible. It's in this little pocket of Echo Park that people drive by all the time. It’s extremely central, but very low-key, which made it a great place to do what we've been doing over the past three years.  It's also beautiful during the day. The natural light throughout the morning and afternoon, there are windows on every single side. So you're getting actual sunlight streaming into this space throughout the day.”

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Did you do events during the day, or was it at night when most of these events were happening?

“Godspeed was originally just my art studio. As my art and production design practice started picking up traction. I started dreaming of this huge loft space where I could build things, break things, collaborate, make as much noise as I want, and maybe host a little party or two. So for the first year, it was just my art studio. And then we would throw a few parties here and there. We threw our first party in May 2023, and it was like a group art show, like a late-night art show with like six artists and a few of my DJ homies, and it kind of tore! We threw a couple more parties that summer, and then eventually it clicked. There's really no other place quite like this, like a black, queer-owned underground space in a cute area. Like, no shade, but the girls were over pumping Skid Row on the weekends. So once I realized what we had, we started shifting more and more into nightlife. During the day, it was much more art-focused and still is.”

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With the transition from LA to New York, what do you want to explore next in this new chapter in terms of events? 

“So many things, and honestly, I don't want to give away too much, but as an artist or a creative, you're always looking for new sources of inspiration and energy. I can't wait to get out there and bounce back and forth between the coasts and kind of see what ideas rise to the top.”

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I think you have a great sense of creative integrity in terms of the events you put together, and in general. Did you have to develop this, or has it always been a part of you? 

“As an artist, it's important to have a vision and to see it through, and it takes a certain level of creative confidence to be able to trust the process, and I definitely had to do that with this space. When I signed the lease, I blew all my bread on the deposit and the first and last months. I just let go and said godspeed. That first year was tough, but I think once you're in the position to start saying no – because you don't have to do shit – I think it's really important that you do so. Once you're able to curate things and really hone in on your vision, it’s a great place to be as a creative. It started from the inside out, and working with my friends who are so fiercely fucking talented. We had that going for us, and stuck to what felt true.”

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I feel like community is a really big part of your work. What advice would you give somebody who wants to build community and do something different within their own city, particularly for queer people of color? 

“I would say to start with your own people. The way that we did it was by curating from the inside out, starting with a core friend group or friends of friends. If you’re in a position where you can make it some ‘if you know you know’ type shit, then it will organically grow, and the right people will find you. It’s a little bit more difficult and slower that way, we never really do that much marketing or anything, but because of that, Godspeed has been able to have this very third space, home away from home vibe that’s quite special.” 

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You’ve been going between New York and LA. What energetic differences have you noticed between the two cities? What are you excited about for New York? 

“I've been going back and forth to New York since I was a kid. Both of my parents are from New York, so I spent a lot of time in Harlem, growing up in the Manhattan area. But I'll be moving to Brooklyn, which is definitely where the nightlife that I'm interested in really lives. In terms of the difference, with its legal infrastructure, New York is already different because everything ends at 4 a.m. Besides clubs being open later, you have so many major institutions like Basement, who are hosting a major carry twice a weekend. It’s insane. The Basement to Nowadays pipeline is very strong, so it’s easy to carry for an entire weekend; you don’t see that as much in LA. It’s kind of cliche at this point, but people in New York behave differently socially, right? I’ve found them to be extremely kind, to the point, but very kind. I enjoy the banter and that difference from how the girls are acting in LA.”

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That’s so true, I’ve met some New Yorkers, and their energy can be a little off-putting to people from the West Coast sometimes, but they really do stand by who they stand by. It’s really refreshing to see; there’s no fakeness to them. 

“People have been so receptive, it’s felt like open arms already. It makes me feel great about this move and getting to know people in these different pockets on a deeper level.”

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Are you going to be repping the LA hat in New York?

“You know what? I actually have a holiday hat that has both LA and New York on it, so I'm probably going to pump that one.”

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That can be your transition hat.

“Exactly. I've been low-key teasing the fact that I'm moving to New York on my Instagram for like five or six months. Some like Easter egg-type shit that nobody will probably have caught.”

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As this LA chapter comes to a ‘close’, what has been a really proud moment for you with Godspeed LA? 

“In terms of memorable moments, one would have to be this event called Hypersona. It was a surrealist rave experience. So my friend Gbenga and I – he's a visual artist and DJ – we turned the whole studio into this like giant labyrinth with like 90 million yards of suspended fabric. And then it was activated with performers, choreographed by our friend Keilan. It was truly something one-of-a-kind. That was really, really special. Also, our first collaboration with Baile World absolutely tore. I've never seen so many people here just going like absolutely apeshit. Like somebody was twerking off the ceiling. CQuestt knows how to throw a banger. I don't know how they got up there; they like climbed a pole.”

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Godspeed is a kind of sendoff; it’s wishing someone the best of luck on a journey and can be an unspoken goodbye sometimes, not knowing if you’ll cross paths with someone again. It seems very full circle with this move to New York. How does it feel to start something new?  

“You’re so right, Godspeed is definitely a sendoff, and when somebody's going off on a journey, it's like, ‘Hey, Godspeed, good luck on your path.’ I always say that there's blessing baked into the name. One thing I’m so proud of is that new things, new ideas, and new careers have been able to start here and flourish after. It’s getting kind of meta now because Godspeed Labs itself was this new thing that was being incubated, this underground art space concept is what I’ve been starting here, and now it’s time to leave this space and build new legs.”

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"As an artist, it's important to have a vision and to see it through, and it takes a certain level of creative confidence to be able to trust the process, and I definitely had to do that with this space."

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How does it feel to make this leap? 

“I'm excited! I can't wait. I love new shit. I love the feeling of going into something new. I think that's why I've changed industries and changed careers so many times; I love a new challenge. It's obviously bittersweet for sure. This place means so much to so many people, but it means the most to me. I might drop a tear or two, but you know, I'm mostly excited for the next chapter, and I honestly can't wait.”

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When it comes to collaborations, how do you balance meeting people you’re working with in the middle? 

“Well, I'll give you this example. I've been DJing since I was like 13. Like, since before I could drive and shit. So I have some pretty particular tastes and opinions when it comes to music. But when somebody wants to come in and host an event, I'm going to be hands-off and let them see their vision through. I think that's a small example of how I run most things. Like, if somebody wants to do an art installation for an event or some sort of experience, I'm going to let them see their vision through, but I know how to build this shit also. So I will jump in and just be a helpful and guiding hand, and I'll swing some hammers with you to build your vision. So I think for me, it's not even meeting people in the middle because I'm working with people that I like and trust their vision, and I want to work with them and see their vision through. It's more so me coming over to their side and being like, okay, how can I help?”

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I'm really excited to see you bring that to New York, in whatever form it emerges. Have you found a space yet? Or are you looking at spaces?

“Yeah, still looking at spaces, I found an amazing architect who actually designed Elsewhere in Brooklyn. So we're working and looking at spaces but keeping an eye on LA as well, because LA is home, it always will be.  I'm giving myself a few months to kind of rest and figure shit out, and then we'll be back at it.”

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