Meet The Artists

Born and raised in New York City, Mookie embodies everything that a true musical explorer should be. Though he identifies more with being a New Yorker, his diversity and Caribbean roots have, in some part, influenced his passion for music, and distinct talents.

At a young age his biggest influences were Prince and Stevie Wonder—two musical legends who relied mainly on their pure talent. As Mookie phrases it, “You have to become so great at what you do, you have to become a pinnacle of inspiration... a one-man show!” This personal philosophy opened his eyes to the various paths one can take when pursuing a music career. It isn’t solely restricted to become just an artist, writer, producer or a manager. Every path is free for you to venture.

Mookie became a master of music through his great experiences and hard work. When he was 17, he joined the ‘Artist Collective’ [a performing arts program in Hartford, CT] and began touring around the USA playing drums and keyboard for 5 years. Mookie was also granted
 the great opportunity to play the keyboard and tour with 50 Cent. In 2009, he began to collaborate with MBK Entertainment—Alicia Keys former management company—and continues to work with them. Yet, in 2011, he decided to start up his own production and management company, and so he formed Mook’a’milli Entertainment.

Shayla Alayre Caldwell is a native of New Haven, Connecticut. She began dancing at a very young age with mother, dance teacher and mentor, Shari Caldwell. She became heavily influenced by traditional West African dance after being introduced to Guinean culture by Aly Tatchol Camara. She was further introduced to various styles of dance and a plethora of choreographers, performing artists as well as the importance of composition while attending the Educational Center for the Arts and Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts in CT. She was accepted into the B.F.A program at Virginia Commonwealth University and studied briefly before landing a dream position as performing artist in company Ronald K. Brown/ Evidence, A Dance Company in 2011. She was honored to be promoted to assistant rehearsal director after six years. It was a pleasure for her to find a balance between concert theater and commercial work as she landed gigs touring and teaching hip hop styles. A few highlights of her dance career include representing the USA at the International Festival of Ballet held in Cali, Colombia, performing at the infamous Joyce Theater, Fire Island, Delacorte Theater in Central Park, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and being featured in the New York Times courtesy of RKB/ Evidence. She has also taught and assisted dance classes at various theaters, performing art schools and universities as community outreach and fitness awareness. She has taught movement development & exploration classes to students of the Black Arts Institute- Stella Adler Studio of Acting for their summer program. She is currently an adjunct professor at NYU’s TIsch School of the Arts teaching hip hop, modern contemporary fused with traditional West African styles. She teaches the dedicated and multifaceted dancers of Restoration’s Youth Arts Academy located in Brooklyn, New York. She is overjoyed that she has returned to Evidence, her “dance home” , as rehearsal director after giving birth to her daughter in 2019. She is ecstatic to see what the future has in store for her and her dance career!

Nik Hartfield is a singer, dancer, fashionista, and an all-around creative based in New York City. She was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. Having a background in the performing arts, she has always been around a creative environment. Training in ballet, African dance, tap, swing dance, jazz, modern/contemporary and hip hop since the age of five, she continues to dance today with every opportunity granted. However, music has always been a "hidden talent" of hers. She grew up singing in the church choir and even had a few solo's at her performing arts center. But she never pursued music professionally until recently.

It was during her professional dance career as a teenager where she fell in love with fashion. Discovered from a dance company photo shoot, she was asked to model for a local fashion designer. From then on, she began to work and network with photographers, designers, stylists, and other models. Soon after graduating high school, and attending Temple University for a year, she realized that it was fashion she wanted to pursue.

Transferring to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and moving to New York City has exposed her to various opportunities, including interning for Zac Posen, working/attending fashion shows during NYFW and interning for Isaac Mizrahi. Moreover, she decided to take on wardrobe styling professionally. Since then, she has been collaborating with various photographers, models, and top agencies all in hopes to continue building her portfolio and perfecting her craft. Today, an FIT Alumni, she is now pursuing a career in the music industry as a recording artist! Throughout everything, music has always been a silent passion of hers.

In 2015, Nik signed to Mookamilli Entertainment as a solo artist, based out of New York City. Her debut single "Love Me Crazy" was released in early 2016 and has seen great success throughout the U.S. and internationally! It received major radio play on SiriusXM: Venus and on several radio stations out in the U.K. LMC even managed to reach #10 on the U.K. Urban Charts!

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, John talent as a musician began to bud since the age of 5. At the age of 14 he started off as a student and learned how to teach music.

Playful yet introspective in his passion for music, his melodic style reflects his love for arranging and composing afro Caribbean music and drumming.

In 2010, John started teaching students music based off of the school curriculum as an artistic teacher in the Hartford area.

From 2015 until now, his talent has been recognized and he was able to be apart of a steel band in New York that led him being able to play in TRINIDAD for 2017 & 2018 carnival.

Ashley’s spirit is truly encompassing, she channels spirit through her body to conduct works of art. Growing up in a religious Afro-Caribbean home, Ashley learned the importance of Song and Dance at a very young age. Her love for the arts sprouted in Highschool as she attended The Regional Center for the Arts. Since then, Ashley has created art pieces to revolutionize the minds of her peers and bring awareness to many social injustices. Ashley continues to pay homage to her Afro-Caribbean roots by studying African culture. She aims to influence her audiences to have passion for their culture and knowledge of self.