Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Bailey
Hi Christopher, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Vagabond Nation was founded in 2024 by myself, Christopher Bailey, and a good friend of mine Travis Young! We are a community organization focused on offering immersive, tourist-like experiences for Caribbean Carnival enthusiasts, locals in Central Florida and those visiting our beautiful city. Vagabond Nation is committed to strengthening community ties, educating the public, and promoting our Caribbean heritage. I was initially inspired to start this organization following the passing of the late “Ricardo Drue”, an internationally acclaimed Caribbean artist who passed away in 2023. He was an Orlando native that we supported from day one. After his passing, it reminded us of the importance of celebrating life and cherishing the memories we shared with him–the joyest sound of his musical legacy shall live on.
“There’s nothing like the present time to celebrate life and bacchanal!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The process of creating such an experience for carnival enthusiasts is never easy, but the challenge is always accepted. During our first year we initially struggled with finding our lane. Although each band stood their ground and made it known we were the “Newbies”, we didn’t let that stop us from continuing our journey and shining brighter than ever expected. It was important to us not to let any detour or bump in the road stop our greatness. Similar to sports, the competitive nature of the industry was real, however, no challenge would keep us from making our presence known and delivering, what we feel, was an exceptional performance at the 2024 Orlando Downtown Carnival.
2025 & beyond…here we come!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a highly rated DJ and entertainer known as “Chris Behave,” I made my mark in the music industry through productions, live appearances and mixtapes in the early 2000’s. From there, I became a key member of the prominent DJ group “Murda One Sound”–I traveled and entertained party-goers with them for over a decade. I later parted ways with them in 2018 but remained family. Soon-after, I was recruited by a good friend of mine Rico Vibes to join the internationally known DJ group “Natural Vibes” out of NYC & ATL. Professionally, I have over two decades of experience in property management and I continue to practice real estate as a licensed Florida Realtor. Next, I serve as a licensed armed security guard seasonally as a lead of operations for the renowned security company “Full Extreme Security.” Lastly, I founded “Nue Image Photography” in 2015, specializing in event photography and capturing unforgettable moments for couples, families, and party-goers. This has remained as my #1 passion from 2015 to the present.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Starting a Carnival band inherently involves significant risk. It requires the delivery of a unique, memorable experience year after year, while consistently meeting the expectations of your members, masqueraders, and the Carnival Association. This responsibility comes with the potential to impact your reputation, financial stability, and personal time. The pressure to remain true to your commitments is immense, as failing to do so can result in the loss of credibility and support within your community. I still push through and deliver!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mycarnivalfix.com
- Instagram: @mycarnivalfix
- Other: https://vagabondnation.net
