Artist & Entrepreneur | U.S Army Combat Veteran

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I’m Mazaveli Hollyhood (MZVLI HLLYHD), an artist and aspiring entrepreneur born and raised in Miami, FL—a city that shaped me through its energy, struggles, and survival mentality. From a young age I understood nothing was guaranteed. Music was never just an escape for me; it was a way to document the journey, turn pain into power, and create something I could take pride in as I look back on my growth, all while striving for a purpose greater than myself.

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Growing up in Miami, I saw how circumstances could shape a person. Opa-Locka was alive, but it molded me. I was deeply impacted by the struggle of my environment. It was ruthless—Miami  in the 90's and early 2000's was a place where opportunity and danger coexisted. Drugs, violence, and survival became everyday battles. Opa-locka was a place that, while full of life and energy, was also deeply impacted by the high crime and poverty rates making it one of the most dangerous cities to live in the U.S. at the time. Living in a city consumed by greed, corruption, a drug epidemic, and the relentless pursuit of power, I saw friends turn to the fast life, the dope game, and the outcome that came with it. Some made it out, but too many didn’t. Watching my own circle fall victim to the streets early on made me realize I had to make a choice: continue down a path that led to nowhere or, step up and die trying to become something greater considering all the odds stacked against me.

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At 18, I made my move. I joined the U.S. Army, trading street wars for real warzones. I was deployed to Afghanistan, deep in the birthplace of the Taliban, facing real combat in one of the most intense conflicts of our time. I was deployed to Afghanistan, deep in the birthplace of the Taliban, where I faced combat head-on in one of the most intense conflicts of our generation. Over the course of a decade, I gave everything to the military, earning over 13 prestigious medals, including multiple Army Commendation Medals. I learned discipline, resilience, and leadership, but just as I had overcome the battlefield, a new challenge hit—COVID. Especially after facing countless losses, injustices, trials, and tribulations during that time—battles that went beyond the battlefield and into my own right to stability, opportunity, and respect, everything I endured fueled my drive to create something greater, something that couldn’t be taken away.

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Music had always been calling me back. I had to show the world who I am and who I was. Soldier With Attitude (SWA) was more than just a mindset—it was a movement. An idea that stood for something real: the struggles, the adversity, and the relentless pursuit of something greater. That’s when I linked up with my longtime friend Eslan Martin (DJ Eslan), a world-renowned DJ and music producer from Havana, Cuba. With his expertise and our shared passion, the vision became clear. I hit the studios, started producing, and surrounded myself with people who believed in the journey. Now, I’m creating music that’s real. Raw. Unfiltered. A reflection of the highs and the lows, the victories and the scars. While my mission is to inspire, motivate, and uplift others, I’m just as focused on perfecting my craft and collaborating with others to deliver high-quality music. I feel like I owe it to my younger self and those who may or may have not grown up in similar upbringings as me. 

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Since the start of 2020, I’ve been on my grind, building a brand that represents more than just music. Rooted in resilience and fueled by creativity, SWA brings together veterans, communities, and individuals no matter where they come from, who share and represent this common mindset—one that refuses to quit, refuses to be defined by limitations, and breaks down barriers, refusing to let obstacles stand in the way. It’s about the struggle, the hustle, and the resilience. My music is real—raw stories, real emotions, and the mindset of a soldier who won’t back down. My music reflects my reality—the highs and the lows, the victories and the scars. But my vision goes beyond just making records. I am actively challenging others to rise above their circumstances, building a community where people can connect, heal, and push forward together. 

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After overcoming economic hardship, physical and mental battles, and embracing the spiritual journey of self-discovery, SWA is for those who won't back down, people who turn struggle into strength, and see obstacles as just another challenge to conquer.  As you follow me on this journey, just know that SWA is protected and backed by resilience. None of this would be possible without the contributions of those who believed in the vision from the start, and the unwavering support of loyal fans, friends, and collaborators. The journey to SWA has been built on hustle. If you’re here, you’re already part of it. Welcome to something real.

 

Welcome to Soldier With Attitude.  Let’s make history!