We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sixkkboy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sixkkboy, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful the most important thing is to make sacrifices, wether it’s cutting certain people out of your life that don’t support you and drag you down or taking the risk of struggling financially and mentally for extended periods of time in hopes that your hard work and risk will pay off. In tattooing I spent two years apprenticing full time while working a late night part time job just to support myself so it was nonstop work and being treated like shit in a not so great environment. And in music it’s sacrificing money and time you may not have on opportunities and equipment and tracks in hopes to gain exposure and get your name out there and connect with the right people. Which doesn’t always pay off but the bigger the risk the bigger the reward.

Sixkkboy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into music and tattooing at the same time, any free time I had I spent drawing and trying out new sounds in hopes one of which would be successful and I ended up quitting music for a while to focus on tattooing and master my skills which eventually worked out quite well and has opened a lot of doors for me in music. If it wasn’t for tattooing weirdly enough I wouldn’t be making music and if I hadn’t been making music I wouldn’t be tattooing.. As for my brand and image I keep it dark and unorthodox. For example my face tattoos specifically the snake on my forehead is something you definitely don’t see every day and it freaks some people out but some are attracted to the look and how kind of absolutely insane it is. I like to stand out style wise, music wise and art wise and like I said it freaks some people out and I look kinda scary to some, but the second you talk to me you realize I’m a normal person and I’m incredibly talkative and nice rather than the scary look and art style that I put out.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

I am my business so the near death experience I had with my business was literally a near death experience. I laid down my Ducati going 130 and That shit almost killed me. Ive never been religious really but something saved me maybe it was god who knows, but I got 3rd degree road rash all over my body including my hands which I need to tattoo, without my hands I’m completely useless. But miraculously I didn’t break a single bone and got out of that near death experience with a whole lot of scars, some permanent body pains, and a concussion. If I wasn’t wearing my helmet I would’ve died and I’m grateful that I only got as injured as I did because I’m still fully capable of running my business. I’m lucky and that situation could’ve been infinitely worse.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I do stupid shit with my friends and post it on my story and do not give a fuck but also put out good work and I think people find it entertaining I honestly don’t know. Just be a more exaggerated version of yourself don’t be shy. Be bold.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixkkboy/
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/omrU7B3zJ8NLLrmd8

Image Credits

@dirtswrld
@p.s.itsdeserpent
@ransteez