We were lucky to catch up with 3RDegree recently and have shared our conversation below.

3RDegree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve been in love with Music since I was 2 or 3. From my Mother singing to me,spending time with my Aunt Paula listening to Her Records( mostly Michael Jackson) and riding along with my Step Father playing Hip Hop from Tupac, Snoop, Dr Dre, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang and LL Cool J.

I knew I wanted to pursure it professionally in 6th Grade, when my Step Father challenged Me by saying he would help my music career if I got my Math Grade up.. in which I did. I knew then that it was more than a Hobby, it was a Burning Passion.

Great, we appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

For those that don’t already know, I’m Edward “3RDegree” Wilson (Formally Williams, which in itself is it’s own story) I’m from Southern California, born in San Bernardino, Lived In San Diego County and later made moves in LA.

I got Profesional start at 16 as a Hypeman/Roadie assisting a Former Rapper opening for Legendary Oakland Rapper
Too Short and appearing on a Variety Show in Las Vegas.

I’ve since used The Internet and Social Media to make a name for myself by releasing Independent Projects and Music. I released a Single that was distributed through Universal Music Group and had music placed in Television and Film.

I think what makes Me unique, this that I’ve always “Moved To My Own Groove” and strived to be Unique in my own way. If others are moving right, I have no problem going Left if it suits Me.

What I say I’m most proud of is moving over 100k Units having my Music, Name and Face spread to over 90 Countries without the help of a Major Label. Looking at the analytics and seeing seeing that People in Nigeria, Germany, England, Japan,Brazil .. vibing and rocking to my music means the world to me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Well, when I first started started, I had dreams of being signed to a Famous Hip Hop/R&B label. I put some songs together on a Demo and sent it to it’s offices in New York. After a few months of not hearing anything back from them, I gave the number and address to a Friend in my Camp and his Manager at the the time.

His Manager put together a package and sent it to the label. After a week, the manager called the office to confirm the Package had arrived. Upon calling, an A&R confirmed they recieved the package and noticed my name on a flyer and song we did together, and asked if the Manager represented and/or knew Me. The manager said they Yes they did, and the A&R said “They had my Demo, and Loved It! They had lost the contact info, but was very interested and was presenting it in a meeting with The CEO.

The in the meeting the CEO picked my Demo along with a few others that He liked! Me and my Team was BEYOND excited and was ready for the next steps, BUT after a while, we didn’t hear much more from the A&R, only to learn that the A&R was no longer with the Company and my Music had got caught up within the transition. Basically in a nutshell the Deal didn’t happen, and the manger kind of kicked me to the curb a short time afterwards.

Not letting a Setback detour Me, I used that as a motivation to put out my own Music. Pressing up my own CDs , Using Social Media Platforms, like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I promoted and marketed myself, reaching people in different Countries. Booking shows to open and perform with music Legends, in Legendary Venues from Hollywood, Mexico, Florida and Atlanta. Having song placements in Film and TV.
I’ve always found a way to use Setbacks as motivation to persevere and push forward for a bigger Set Up.

I’m now building a Multi Media Production Company that will produce Music, Books, Screenplays, and Podcasts.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to Unlearn is that success, doesn’t happen overnight and when it comes, it might not be in the way that you envisioned it for yourself.

Everything that you encounter along your Journey has to be taken with perspective, whether you win or lose. You’re going to face Setbacks, Hurdles, and Obstacles, but your Hunger, Passion and Drive will determine how you overcome and find a way to win.

Contact Info:

• Website: KING3RD.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/3RDegreeLA
• Facebook: facebook.com/3rdgree
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-3rdegree-willliams-12a84967
• Twitter: twitter.com/3RDegreeLA
• Other: https://sng.to/3rdegree

Image Credits
Melissa Zavala, Christiaan Adams Kira Fields, Marie- Rosario, 3RDegree