Honing His Soul Craft

“If you build it, they will come” isn’t just for Iowa cornfields filled with baseball-playing ghosts. Just ask Miami legend-in-the-making Luiz Cruz, aka Trikstah123. As the host of the eclectic and welcoming Wednesday open mic nights at the wonderful Thank You Miami Cocina & Beerhouse, he not only serves up his own incisive spoken word poetry, unorthodox R&B singing, and heartfelt bite-sized pep talks on the transformative power of arts, but he also has quickly become one of the most inspiring and original figures to the fledgling next generation of performers and artists in the Magic City music scene. 

Now, as his own first single “You Say” drops—a slinky, cool, instantly unforgettable earworm featuring his partner Angie Q and multi-instrumentalist Cristal Fire—and his signature mushroom paintings and murals begin popping up all across the city, Cruz was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to speak with AQUA Miami about his evolution as an artist, the empowering nature of open mics, why he views a philosophy of inclusivity and expression as more vital for community than ever, and how showing up for art taught him how to show up for life. 

Tell me a little bit about your background. How did you get into music/art? 

I was born in Boston, raised in Lawrence, and moved to Miami as a teenager. Creativity has been a throughline my whole life. I studied chorus and mixed vocal ensemble starting in fourth grade, began writing poetry in fifth grade thanks to a teacher who saw something in me, started breakdancing at 16, and got into graffiti and painting as a teenager. My mushroom art came later, but it grew from the same place. To me, poetry, music, movement, and visual art are all part of one ecosystem. 

Is there a particular moment you decided to go from observer to participant? 

Open mics were that turning point. I had been writing for years, but mostly in private. About seven years ago, I started sharing publicly and realized creativity changes when you bring it into community. That was the shift—from creating in isolation to participating in culture. I found my voice by risking being heard. 

You seem to create a lot despite having a full-time career outside of art. What is your secret to making time for your soulcraft? 

I believe in devotion through small acts. Creativity isn’t something I wait to have time for—it’s woven into how I live. A line of poetry, a mural concept, a conversation that sparks a song...it all counts. Open mics also taught me consistency. Showing up for art taught me how to show up for life. 

What do you think it is about Thank You Miami as a venue that makes those nights so profoundly special? 

I’ve been hosting open mics and events for about three and a half years, and it’s been one of the biggest artistic growth experiences of my life. At first, I had to grow into the role: I didn’t realize how much shyness I was carrying until I started hosting. But over time, I realized hosting is really about holding space. That’s what makes nights at Thank You Miami so special. There’s a real openness there—people arrive as strangers and leave feeling part of something. It feels like a creative refuge. 

Has hosting the open mic inspired and/or helped evolve your own creativity? 

Without question. Hosting has expanded my artistry. Being surrounded by poets, musicians, and first-time performers keeps me experimenting and growing. It reminds me that art is alive. I’ve felt my own music deepen through those nights. Community has been one of my greatest creative teachers. 

What would you say to someone on the fence about attending or performing at an open mic? 

Go. Even if you just listen. Open mics can be transformational because they remind people their voice matters. For me, they helped move me through shyness and into greater confidence and consistency. Sometimes stepping up to a mic doesn’t just change your relationship with art—it changes your relationship. 

What’s next for you? 

I want to keep expanding the worlds I’m building—through music, public mushroom art, collaboration, and community-driven experiences. I’m interested in creating not just projects, but living art spaces where people can participate, connect, and be inspired. 

To keep up with all things Cruz, follow him on Instagram at @Trickstah123