Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
BLCKBUTTERFLY
About BLCKBUTTERFLY
Former NCAA athlete Michael McCloud, now BLCKBUTTERFLY, is a creative artist, musician and visual storyteller. From Nike and Ralph Lauren to a Super Bowl ad, his journey celebrates queer identity, reinvention, independence and creative freedom.
Performances & Content from BLCKBUTTERFLY
Learn More About BLCKBUTTERFLY
What makes you the Next Music Star?
What makes me the next music star is that I’m more than just an artist. I’m a creative polymath who has built everything independently. In the age of AI, I believe artists need to be more than performers. We need to be our own creative directors, producers, writers, editors, and visionaries to truly stand out. That’s exactly who I am. From my music to my visuals, I write, create, produce, and bring my ideas to life without a team or major financial backing. I’ve spent years investing in myself, developing my sound, and building my own world with limited resources. Imagine what I could accomplish with a serious team, the right budget, and real industry support behind me. I’m not waiting to become a star. I’ve already been doing the work. I’m ready for the world to see it.
What do you love about music and performing?
Off camera or off stage, I can be pretty shy and introverted. I like to call myself an extroverted introvert. But when I’m making music or performing, I get to express every side of myself, including the darker, bolder, and more confident sides that I don’t always feel comfortable showing in everyday life. I don’t naturally crave attention, but the moment I step on stage, it’s like flipping a switch. I completely transform into an entertainer. Music gives me the freedom to be unapologetically myself, and when I perform, my biggest goal is to make people smile, feel good, and leave with an experience they’ll remember.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My biggest musical inspiration has always been Michael Jackson. He literally taught me how to dance, sing, and embrace what makes me unique. Just like Michael, I push myself to create things other artists aren't doing, from my sound to my visuals and the worlds I build around my music. I never want to fit into a box. I want to create my own. My dream collaborations would include Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Hype Williams, Mike Bivins, U2, Kanye West, Drake, Tierra Whack, Missy Elliot, Dave Meyers, Windowsen, Cho Gi-seok, GRIMES, Seth Rogen, Jordan Peele, Dan Streit, Cole Bennett, Boots Riley, Stephen King, Ryan Coogler, Jay Z, Gracie Otto, Little Dragon, Calvin Klein, DSQUARED2, Paramore and TiaCorine. And honestly, I could keep going! Haha. I draw inspiration from so many different genres and creative minds, and I think that's what makes my artistry so unique.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
Save some and invest the rest.
Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.