We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kardo The Don. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kardo below.
Kardo , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I learned to do what I do from taking school seriously; mainly English, language arts and my dad giving homework on top of what the teachers presented. I’ve learned to take good notes when researching in order to retain the knowledge for later practice.
Knowing what I know now there isn’t anything that could’ve sped this process up because I believe I was blessed with the knowledge through a life changing experience.
The skills most essential to learning the craft for me is comprehension, discipline and repetition. Also, having the ability to be both a student and teacher when necessary.
Obstacles that stood in the way of me learning more in the past would be not trusting myself fully and allowing my expectations to be greater than what’s given.
Kardo , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Kardo The Don. I am a songwriter, rapper and singer from Baltimore, Md. Music has been around me since I was a kid. My late grandmother Puddin, would blast Michael Jackson all day long and my parents love reggae. I also enjoyed karaoke at my cousin Betty-Ann’s house each holiday. I began my path to writing thanks to school subjects such as Language Arts, English, G.T. Art, Health and History. My love for music grew once I discovered spoken word poetry in 5th grade. My poems evolved into songs of all genres and emotions. I didn’t know words could be used so beautifully. School was everything in my parents’ house hold. My dad would give us(siblings and I)dictionary homework; meaning identify words in the dictionary to spell, define and use in a sentence multiple times each in order to expand our vocabulary. I thought it was militant but I enjoyed it especially when reading out loud in class. Fast forward, I was in a rap group in high school called FAM. It was short lived but had a good impact in that period. I couldn’t escape music it was always there for me. My god brother Lil Loo and I spent hours in my room on 30th street just free-styling and voice recording songs over YouTube beats during 2013-2015. I would sing all the hooks and he would rap. Music followed me at work when I drove MTA mobility. I had clipboard binder where I’d write bars on the back of my old manifest on my breaks. After being in a car accident in April 2017, I told myself I would take being an artist seriously. I spent 11 months writing songs, poetry, reading books and learning to walk again. While recovering I gained employment at a PRP (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program) agency. It opened me to furthering my purpose in music because the positive impact my clientele had on me. With optimism I decided to showcase my artistry on BIGO LIVE in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic. I performed in high volume virtual talent showcases to rid myself of stage fright and gained a lot of support throughout the app. I recorded my first cover song called “9 Summers” (stream on SoundCloud) thanks to the Golden Lrds Chink Jones and Kage Goldie. After spending time in California for a few months I felt compelled to give something back to the city of Baltimore in which I birthed the 11X9 ACTS (Artist Collectively Taking Steps) networking showcase at “The Lions Gate” on 9/11/2021. With the help of my brother Tito Crespo the idea was giving life. There were 9 performers including myself each whom I thought had great raw talent. After 11X9 ACTS I posted several snippets of me singing and rapping on my Instagram (@KardoTheDon) and dropped my first single “Ramble Rap” produced by Chappo Beats in 2022. Through that song I obtained knowledge of the industry and became inspired to learn the business pass being a performer. In the mean time I’ve been working on my first EP titled Szns, with my favorite engineer BD Layers. With this upcoming EP I want people to know that as long as you are able to think it you can make it reality. Shout out to personal experiences and being an early dreamer. My imagination and determination to ease daily struggles increased my versatility as a person and artist. I am eloquent, soulful and abundant. I am true to myself and the music.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
In my opinion the most rewarding aspect of being and artist is that there are no rules to what you can create. I create what I feel, and if you don’t feel me then maybe this particular creation isn’t for you this go round. I am here to spread love through the freedom of my music. Make people smile, dance and be worry free.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
All the titles and people listed have influenced me to think and practice what I preach. If I had to make a list in no particular order it would be these:
Songs/Albums:
Michael Jackson’s “Man in the mirror”
Nas & Lauryn Hills “If I ruled the world”
“Lauryn Hill “The miseducation of Lauryn Hill” (album)
LA Russell “I hate when life’s going great” (album)
Koffee “Toast”
WizKid ft Damian “Jr Gong” Marley “Blessed”
Books:
“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck/ Charles A. Coonradt
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
“From The Browder Files” by Anthony T. Browder
“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle
“The 4 Laws of Financial Prosperity” by Blaine Harris
“The 4 Agreements”
Anime’s:
THE SHAMAN KING
HUNTER X HUNTER
MY HERO ACADEMIA
NARUTO
Youtube Channels:
The Queen Po
Mr Jay Hill Podcast
Good Compenny
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundcloud.com/kardo-the-don
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/KardoTheDon
- Youtube: Www.YouTube.com/KardoTheDon
Image Credits
BD LAYERS RODESCA