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

Dashius, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

When I went to college I started taking music a little more serious in the sense that I was actually starting to consider maybe trying to release some full songs and start performing. Up to then I was just doing freestyles and lightly collaborating with other friends who were artists. I spent a year in Tallahassee and realized school wasn’t for me. I couldn’t concentrate in my classes and just felt like I was on the fast path to an unfulfilled life. I moved back to Miami and started doing every open mic I could find which led me to some music and performance competitions. I entered and won the first 3 and made a total of about $1000 which at that time was mind blowing. I always looked at music as a hobby I was good at, it never hit me I could actually earn a living.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am what you would call an artists’ artist. I have been an indie artist and producer for 10 years from Cali, Colombia who is now based in Miami, FL. Though I have been most known for being an artist and performer, I am equally as successful as a music producer, label owner, fashion designer, and now a notable sneaker designer. I have headed PLTNM INC since 2018 and have worked with greats stretching from Kendrick Lamar, to XXXtentacion, and plenty more. I have released 5 albums under my imprint, with the newest one #NewReligion landing in the Top 25 on the album charts. My “Red Baron” sneakers have won an award for design and branding last year which was a dream come true. I come from nothing, taught by nobody, yet supported by tens if not hundreds of thousands of amazing fans.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

A friend of mine one day posted a picture of a red beard drawn on his face to look like mine. That quickly turned into 5 people and then 100’s of people by the end of the week. It was there that I learned the importance of branding. My beard was originally a form of self expression that led to what made me so recognizable. I was very verbal and present on social media. Not just from my platforms, but through my relationships and collabs with others.

The best advice I can possible give, is find your “Red Beard”. Find what sets you apart and makes you unique. Sometimes people won’t take a chance on you unless you give them a reason to.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It was always the feeling of awards and accomplishments when I started. Every contest I won or milestone I achieved I felt extremely successful and driven. When I really took off that changed to the love I received from fans. Hearing their views on my creations is everything. Even if its one line in a song, or something I said, etc it is what keeps me going every day. There is nothing that compares to having a connection with a total stranger that you have made an impact on in their life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DashiusClay.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/DashiusClay
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DashiusClay
• Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DashiusClay
• Youtube: www.YouTube.com/DashiusClay
• Other: www.PLTNMinc.com