Raised in South Central, Los Angeles, Calmatic is a self-taught filmmaker who discovered his passion for telling stories at a young age. As a director, he strives to humanize othersā unique experiences without infusing them with negative stereotypes. He seeks to stretch the limits of his viewersā reality while highlighting the beauty in the mundane. His creative curiosity has allowed him to solidify a place for himself in a constantly evolving industry.
Calmaticās video collaborations span some of musicās most influential artists, including Donald Glover, Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, Zayn Malik, Lizzo, Anderson .Paak, and more.
In 2018, his music video, āBubblinā for Anderson .Paak, gained over 10 million views and has been recognized as one of the best music videos of the year. That same year, Calmatic directed the music video for Vince Staplesā nihilistic rap anthem āFUN!ā, a film that combines cultural commentary on the surveillance state by spotlighting white Americaās problematic consumption of āhoodā culture.
Perhaps his most well-known project to date is Lil Nas Xās āOld Town Roadā ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, which won the Grand Prix Entertainment Lions for Music at the 2020/2021 Cannes Lions as well as a VMA for Best Director.Ā The video currently has over 845 million views.
In 2019, Calmatic was recognized in a national ad for AT&Tās āCodes of The Cultureā campaign as one of the leading filmmakers in the new Black Hollywood. In the Spring of 2020, Ad Age named Calmatic āDirector of the Year.ā
Calmatic has successfully transitioned into directing commercials for global brands including Apple, Target, NBA, Sprite, Chase, Geico, and TurboTax, the latter of which premiered during Super Bowl LIV.Ā
He made his feature directorial debut in January 2023 with the remake of the 90s cult classic film House Party for New Line and his sophomore film ā the remake of White Men Canāt Jump for 20th Century Studios ā opened in Spring 2023.