Today we’d like to introduce you to Dynasty.
Dynasty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born July 25th, 1992; amidst the mayhem of the L.A. Riots, Clinton entering the office and the same year compact disks surpassed cassette tapes as the most preferred form of recorded music. It was also the year when the first text-based Web Browser was released to the public marking the beginning of the now famous World Wide Web Era.
I grew up in Compton, CA. In a less than quiet neighborhood just a few feet from the train tracks. Art was always a part of my upbringing with the freedom from technology and the creative flow provided by my family. I started painting and writing as a means to deal with my depression as an adolescent. Burning poems I wrote in fear and faith. As I grew older, my love for the arts grew fonder. I began to join small dance groups, hosting backyard shows with my friends, and building a foundation I didn’t know had any kind of true effect on my future.
As a promoter, I booked a lot of acts I knew personally, networked with tons of beginners and professionals in my field. As an artist, I was just going with the flow. I began songwriting professionally, discouraged by greedy agents and a fast decline in interest for the backend of this business. As the years went on, my resources grew. They grew so immensely by 2011, I had to start connecting the dots. Acting as an A&R for a major record label, I opened a few doors for a few good people and that feeling, that satisfaction of being able to help someone for the love of it, made more sense than life itself.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. No road should ever be smooth unless it was paved for you. I was a hardheaded kid. Rushing things, forcing feelings, trying to save the world. I was used, taken for granted and taken lightly for years before I realized I didn’t have to do anything for anyone. So, for a while, I didn’t. It was just til 2 years ago when I decided, it was worth another shot.
Please tell us about SHPLFTD Art Collective.
I am passionate about teaching artists how to work together and do for themselves. As a manager, I do not want to do everything for an artist. I want to be able to show an artist how to do it themselves, and even if they don’t, they know what others are doing for them. I specialize in Marketing, Web Development, PR, Artist Development and Management. I suppose I’m most known for my endless support in good music and good people. I am most proud of making a young man a multi-millionaire before the age of 21. I am not like a lot of A&R’s/Managers because I don’t live off of my artists. I support them with the same passion and drive as I would any of my own projects, and I’ve done it this long for nearly no payout.
Who have you been inspired by?
My Mother, My Grandmother, Lauryn Hill, Jean Gray, Shaina Negron, Jenise Rodriguez, and Sabeerah Najee. All of these women taught me to stay out of my comfort zone. Somewhere I was cooped up in for far too long.
Pricing:
- Web Design/Development starting at $49
- Graphic Design/Flyers starting at $10
- Promotions/Blog Placements starting at $20
Contact Info:
- Website: shplftd.com
- Email: info@shplftd.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shplftd
- Twitter: twitter.com/shplftd
- Other: instagram.com/hnrbl.mntn
Image Credit:
Shot by Diamond Smith
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