Working with Cavalier is always a creative journey. For those who came up in a certain era of NYC hip-hop, Cavalier is that artist who left an unforgettable mark—a Brooklyn-born talent whose reputation and skill were undeniable. Now based in New Orleans, he’s one of those rare artists whose name alone carried weight, the kind of rapper everyone knew was destined for greatness, even if he wasn’t chasing fame.

Our latest project brought us together in Detroit on a perfect spring day. This was our second collaboration, the first being in New Orleans. But this time, we were on my turf, in the heart of Detroit. There’s something about the way Cav and I vibe that just works. We both have strong visions for what we want our work to look and sound like, but he lets me do my thing when it comes to the shooting and editing. That trust allows me to really push the creative boundaries.

As we hit different spots around the city, grabbing food at Green Dot Stables, and capturing the essence of Detroit, the people mover, it felt like everything was coming together perfectly. With each project, I aim to elevate my craft, whether it’s during the filming or in post-production. This time, I took it a step further with some additional After Effects that added a unique touch to the final cut. It was a beautiful day, not just in the city, but in the creative process as well. All photos by Brandon Damon.