Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kevin Solomon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kevin, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
SlaughtaHouze is the dream of two ambitious music creators turned reality 21 years ago. Charles Andre Brooks, music producer and Kevin Solomon, aspiring rapper, started the independent record company in Houston TX circa 2001. SlaughtaHouze Entertainment released multiple chopped and screwed mixtapes and EPs in it’s seven year stretch. While Charles served as SlaughtaHouze in house music producer supplying artists with original beats, I took on more the executive role such as managing talent, booking shows, setting up consignments to have our cds placed in various record stores in Houston and surrounding areas. Along with CEO duties, I was managing my own music ventures, serving as main DJ for our mixtapes and working hard as a performing artist. The Houston Hip Hop music scene was INTENSE in the 2000’s so it was a FIGHT to have a little bit of attention from the masses. In 2008, I stepped away from my duties to tend to mounting personal issues. In 2015, I “got the band back together” and began the quest to reinvent SlaugthaHouze allowing us to fit in with this new wave of hip hop. We started a local radio show titled SlaughtaHouze Live which catered to breaking new music and artists. The success of the show led to the creation of our own digital radio platform, SlaughtaHouze Radio. Today, SlaughtaHouze/Newmann Distributions is the parent company for both KSHZ-SlaugthaHouze Radio and SlabAllStarz Radio ( The 24 hour chopped and screwed radio station), the SlabAllStarz DJ Coalition and SlaughtaHouze TV. We enjoy TREMENDOUS SUCCESS with our partnership with BV Mobiles who powers The SlaugthaHouze Apps ( The KSHZ SlaugthaHouze Radio App and The SlabAllStarz App ) available on ALL devices.
Kevin, 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 ALWAYS been a fan of Hip Hop and Rap but fell in love with it when I heard MC Lyte’s “Georgie Porgy” in 1991. To this day it’s THE PERFECT SONG. It wasn’t till I heard a freestyle by Houston rapper Slim Thug back in 2000 when I said to myself “I can do this” and really began to put energy into becoming a rap artist/songwriter. All the stars aligned when I meet Charles who had the equipment and gave me the opportunity to record. All it takes is for ONE person to “believe” in you. No I wasn’t a top tier rapper but my DRIVE overshadowed everything at that time.
Though I wanted to be the rapper, the one in the videos and magazines, in concert on stage rocking big crowds, I was always at my best HANDLING THE BUSINESS. Now that I look back at it, I was constantly running from my destiny. I know what I wanted to be but it wasn’t what I was supposed to be. Some people were made to be center stage and some were made to be behind the scenes. Today, I accept my role and thrive at it.
The numerous artists, djs, managers, publicists, and business owners I associate with know I’m a “real one”
I don’t play when it comes to SlaughtaHouze business. I don’t waste time and I don’t like my time being wasted.
I guarantee our customers RESULTS and I’m proud to say they become our clients. I’m obsessed with making the SlaughtaHouze brand one of the TOP platforms in Houston hip hop, hell in hip hop overall. My office hours are from 4am – 10pm, 7 days a week. I feel like when I’m sleep I’m missing out on a potential opportunity.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I had to unlearn was to deflate my massive ego. In the beginning I felt like I didn’t need to ride another man’s coattail to get ahead. I didn’t want to pay for features, studio time, promo and beats from other producers. I see now that was extremely bad business. I may have had the drive but not the “common sense” to do what needed to be done. I was ULTRA SENSITIVE about my projects so I didn’t accept criticism in any form.
Today, I have no problem spending the money to do whatever it takes to get us ahead. When I have a consultation with an artist, I tell them THE TRUTH. I always start off with “This is MY OPINION. I appreciate ya coming to me and valuing my thoughts so what I have to tell you is just my thoughts. Don’t base anything on my opinion. Just cause one person doesn’t like something, there could be 100 people who do. The world is big…..”
An artist truly appreciates that.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The time I had to pivot was 2008. I was balancing SlaughtaHouze and family life. When it came to SlaughtaHouze, things wasn’t moving fast enough for me. I was spending large amounts of money chasing the dream but not handling my business at home. My children were getting older and I need to be a more attentive parent. My relationship with my lady ( at the time ) was crumbling due to my infidelities and lack of attention to the relationship.
My day job was on the fritz due to me taking off so much. I was performing at hip hop shows in Houston, San Antonio and Louisiana on a constant basis so while I’m on the road, I’m neglecting my duties at the job.
The levees broke for me when I realize how much I was lost financially, emotionally and how much more I was about to lose. So I did what was best for me and stepped away from the dream. I hated it but it was necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drum.io/slaughtahaaaayuuuungbeeeeetch
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slaughtahouze_conglomerate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SlaughtaHouze2020
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Newmann_Dist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SlabAllStarzChoppedAndScrewed