ALPHA
MAGAZINE
How To Be Elite: Featuring Nick Cannon
written by
CLINT PORTE
After nearly three decades in the public eye, Nick Cannon is still relevant. Still successful. Still smooth.
The resume is truly extensive, but centering his achievements on one title may have you missing the mark. To one cohort, he is a movie star and face of the Legendary 'Drumline' Franchise. Another, host of the wildly successful ‘Wildin Out’? A third—comedian and host of 'Nick Cannon @ Night'. His ventures have placed his versatility on full display and made him memorable to many fans across a full spectrum.
Yet, in his own, endearing words, he is a “Father of many nations.” And, yes, he means that, with humor and with candid truth.
Across decades of television, film, music, radio, business ventures, and the unpredictable theater of public life, Cannon has worn every role with a kind of relentless fluidity.
After key appearances, including ‘The Nick Cannon Show,’ ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing,’’All That,’ ‘Keenan & Kel,’ Spike Lee’s ’Chi-Raq,’ and specials with Nickelodeon, MTV, BET and many more, Cannon’s has trailblazer a legendary career in entertainment, culture and influence and cemented himself within the American pop zeitgeist over the span of 30 years.
“Entrepreneur, entertainer, I do it all,” he says, shrugging at the idea that he’s supposed to pick one. What makes him special is that tackled all of his endeavors with tenacity and open-mindedness. With so few misses when compared to his hits, Nick Cannon is the perfect case study of success and the maximizing of one’s talent.
What sets Cannon apart is his initiative and fierce execution of ownership. To him, they’re just survival skills. To the upcoming generation of creators, producers, media, he sees the landscape as something more favorable than what he had.
“Right now, for this new generation, the way that you can create is light years ahead of when I started or anything before you had to have a full production. Now your entire production is in your hands. Whatever you put your mind to, you can make a feature film, you can create an entire orchestra, you can create industries all at your hands. So just do it.”
Nowadays, the idea of waiting for permission seems like an afterthought. “You can create industries all at your hands. Your creativity is limitless.”
“You’ve got an entire production studio in your hand. When I started, you needed a whole team, a whole structure. Now? You can make a feature film on your phone. You can build an industry on your phone.”
It’s obvious that creation is Cannon’s superpower. Yet, his attention to detail is the lesser known part of his plan. People see the output—the shows, the albums, the tours, the kids, the jokes, but not the discipline. His mornings start before the sun even threatens to show up. “Prayer and meditation,” he says. “You need both. Prayer is you talking to God. Meditation is you hearing Him back.” The ritual begins around 4:30, sometimes earlier. By 5, he’s in the gym. The consistency isn’t glamorous, but it explains his groundedness. He protects his mental space and works on his physical temple.
Keeping the spiritual battery fresh keeps Nick Cannon the star shining bright. He pushes on for reasons larger than a paycheck.
In that regard, Creation isn’t only limited to art for art’s sake—it’s also about leaving a tangible empire behind for his children. Talk to Cannon about fatherhood, and his tone of voice shifts. “Before I had kids, purpose and plans were about me,” he admits. “Now everything aligns with them. Everything I think about, future, responsibility, legacy—it’s all for my children.”
Lineage is like architecture; something that’s built for longevity and measured in generations. And while his familial output has generated headlines for years, his unselfish desire to put his family first is often left understated.
It’s an important distinction that many don’t recognize in Cannon’s life. Although his success in monumental, the perception of his lifestyle often times clouds the conversation about Cannon.
“My legacy isn’t my children,” he clarifies, not as a dismissal but as correction for the record. The entertainer steps aside and the man takes over. “Your children are your lineage. Legacy is what you build. Lineage is what continues.”
And, while the personal legacy-building is central to his life, he echoes the same sentiments to young artists, comedians, musicians, creators and anyone whose talent he believed deserved a shot. “From my own blood to everybody I’ve given a platform to, The advice I would give to young creators to take control of their narrative.”“None of them wrote rap songs,” he says. “I was doing both. Rap and R&B. I never thought about it until that room. That’s when I realized I actually offer something different.”
Still as cool and down-to-earth as ever, Cannon’s ethos is simple and memorable—“Don’t take things too seriously. Don’t worry about opinions.” An important lesson in pushing past the noise. “What other people think of you is none of your business.” Outgrowing the need for approval is one of the biggest steps anyone can take in their maturation process.
“That’s the real work.” He doesn’t even mention the sheer, chaotic mythology that now surrounds the name “Nick Cannon.” He just wants one thing. “I hope people say I made them smile.”
“That’s the job.”
credits
talent
Nick Cannon - @jermainedupri
photographer
Clint Porte - @paper.clint
cinematographer
Clint Porte - @paper.clint
interviewer
Andrew Baxter - @andrew_baxter33
PR
key mua
Courtney Hope - @beautybabeartistryoffficial
key stylist
Sandra Merlan - @sandramerlanmakeup
key hair
Korey Finney
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