HUSTLE.PRAY.LOVE | Interview with Atlanta Promoter KD

I've got the chance to chop it up with KD,a promoter/designer from Brooklyn, living out his dreams in Atlanta. I'm simply amazed with this interview, very engaging. You'll want to read it over and over again. Nevertheless, be on the lookout KD is clearly going places.

5K: Out of all things, why a career in promotion, especially at a young age?

I am blessed to be involved with a lot of people around my age that have their sights set on having an impact, not only in the city, but worldwide. Although its just a start, promotion gives us the opportunity to enhance our network, and the skills needed to build it, it also opens doors into other fields allowing those interested to dabble in any realm of entertainment that they find comfortable.

5K: When did you decide you wanted to pursue the entertainment industry?

I decided this in my freshman year of college doing some light promotion for another entertainment company in the city called After money Entertainment. I started to notice that the entertainment industry is one where the work you do is directly proportional to the results you get. I knew then I have a strong circle of friends and business partners for my age, so we put our thoughts together and made it happen.

5K: I see your from Brooklyn, how was the move from NY to Atlanta? Do you plan on going back?

I was a kid, of course I didn’t want to leave my friends and what not, but Atlanta is a blessing. I wouldn’t have it any other way at the moment. I visit NY every year frequently so I don’t think I’m missing much, and I do plan on going back to live in the future.

5K: Your the CEO of PaperbOy entertainment, a promotion company based n ATL, how is that on a day to day basis?

Actually Co-Ceo shouts to my partner @KarlOfDuty. On a day-to-day basis things are more behind the scenes for me, a lot of phone calls, and decisions to make. I work closely with a lot of other CEO’s and often times my day is spent figuring out what we should do next with our weekly events to keep them fresh (Club Primal Thursdays Club Obsessions Friday and Primetime 2.0 Sundays) – Our current weekly lineup Had to throw it in there!

Its hard mixing it with school because I find myself at war over which is more important. I’m responsible for making sure everyone knows what events we have coming up, and thinking of new ways to brand our company. However I have a strong frontline that helps me out with anything whenever I may be in a bind.

5K: Promo is such a polluted industry. How to you rise above the competition?

Simply put, we are different than a lot of promoters, and it’s a new game. Without saying too much, I believe we rise above competition by being persistent, and trying to outwork the competition. Also, the name paperbOy holds it’s own weight and keeps people partying with us.

Also, our team is very diverse and it helps us to bring out different types of people anywhere we go whether its in a hood area or a relatively upscale one, we have the ability to draw from all crowds.

5K: I'm sure people would love to know, whats the difference between a REAL promoter, a FAKE promoter and a GREAT promoter, explain each and what do you consider yourself?

The difference between a real promoter and a fake promoter is consistency in my opinion. We have events year round, whether is hot, cold, raining, snowing etc!

Fake promoters on the other hand pop up every now and then with makeshift events trying to squeeze a dollar out. Some only do events in the summer because they don’t have too many worries about the weather. They do events at spots where we all know nobody is going regardless of how the party is promoted. Fake promoters are usually the ones who try to cut corners not realizing that the only way to see continual success is by giving your crowd exactly what they request.

Great promoters are established, have been doing this for years and have the network and the net worth to prove it. They have paid dues, and put in work that is undeniable by anyone else in the industry. Most important great promoters have a following that is reflective of all the time they have put into branding their companies and or events.

In all honesty I hate the term promoter and wish it wasn’t used for our field. It has come to have a negative meaning in Atlanta due to how saturated the market it. If I had to choose I’d call myself a decent promoter, I have never been able to give promo 100 % due to school.

5K: Do you have any other talents that your hiding or plan to bring to the forefront?

Hmmmm.. I write, and it’s solely for me, one of those talents that will stay hidden!

I am also the president/Head of Marketing for an up and coming clothing line based in NY and ATL named Charlie Appleseed follow the brand @charlieapplesNY

5K: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Tough one. In 5 years I’ll be 26. I see myself finishing up a masters degree, beginning to see some of the benefits from our clothing line, and still doing what is necessary to keep paperbOy relevant.
I would like to start a family around that time but we’ll see.

5K: Any last words?

Our generation has a lot on our shoulders; if we don’t make the change there won’t be one. I think all young people should look into starting their own businesses of some sort especially those of African American decent. The world isn’t made in our favor, I always use this example when people ask if I would really pursue work in the corporate world.

“Why climb a ladder that someone else built and has the freedom to chop down whenever they please whether your still on it or not, when you could just build your own?