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

Damari, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

After being inspired by my father’s music label and having an introduction to creative writing, I attended college and established a name for myself as a unique spoken word artist, while strategically building an audience for a hip-hop album I planned to release by graduation of 2017. While in college in 2014, just like my pops, I met other like-minded artists to form a powerhouse conglomerate named Champion Sound Recordings. We went on to trailblaze a path for upcoming artist at our school, performing everywhere on campus, regionally, and even booked out-of-state shows. Due to contrasting goals, I departed from the independent label in 2019, revitalizing my own independent career.

From idea to execution looked like becoming more organized, developing actionable plans, and being willing to take risks. In reference to the music label, we established an LLC, bank account, and attempted to organize operating agreements, ultimately, provoking us to create clarity on how we wanted and needed to move collectively. From there, it was about ensuring cohesion, recording music, and booking shows. Considering the business acumen I gained from establishing the label, I leveraged those skills, understandings, and practices into my career, creating an even more focused business.

Damari, 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’ve been around the local music industry since age 9, watching my pops and his homies maintain a grassroots rap label established in Charlotte, NC. While hanging out in a home studio session with the rap collective, I told my pop’s I wanted to record a song and he replied “If you’re gonna write and record this song today, you’re gonna have to sacrifice some of your play time outside, so what do you want to do?”.

Since that moment, I’ve understood the significance of intentionality, even if I haven’t always maintained discipline to practice it every moment. A few years later, I enrolled in a creative writing class in middle school, unbeknownst to me at the time, it deepened my love for writing and poetry, provoking me to remember those earlier years of recording music and tap back into creating songs. After establishing a music label with my friends in college I had a rough blueprint to further build my own independent career and share my lessons with other artists along the way.

With my music and merchandise I’m intentional about displaying values. Sonically, I intend to create high vibrational music that feels good, resonates with the soul, and incorporates bounce and witty poetry that usually highlights mantras in the chorus. My physical products (clothing/vinyl records/yoga mats) are rooted in unique creativity, offering appealing color palettes, thought-provoking designs, and quality material that compliment the brand and may promote health & wellness.

I’m most proud of my commitment to personal growth. I never seek perfection, but progression; and I think that’s confidently conveyed through my artistry; creating a genuine gravitational pull.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal through my artistry is to liberate myself, my family, and those that gravitate to the vision by achieving financial freedom; regaining our time and amplifying our peace to inspire others to fight the same fight.

The actionable plan is to commit to the work of investing in small businesses, creating a financial ecosystem that supports each other by prioritizing people over profit. This will hopefully result in recreating a bartering system. Currently, community groups purchase and build on land across the nation to create this type of society, so owning land masses is the denominator of the goal, but inspiring the hearts and minds of the people is just as vital!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele and fanbase has been to be genuinely present with those that display genuine interest. I subscribe to the understanding that we walk amongst our reflections, so prioritizing connection makes it a little easier to nourish relationships, even on the surface of exchanging money for products/services. It’s never been my intent to over-value profit, but to strategically cater to and consider ones needs. This ideology is rooted in promoting values.

To be transparent, I’m still solidifying an effective strategy for growing clientele online. Although I’ve noticed more engagement from displaying authentic content of myself and the brand, it has not consistently translated to revenue, however, manifestation is happening slowly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dmcsound
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damartheemcee/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@damartheemcee7761
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/damartheemcee

Image Credits

– Chris Carelock
– William “Trees” Jones
– Malaysha Belton
– Jevonte Massey
– Derek Worley