We were lucky to catch up with KingDarius TheGreat recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi KingDarius, thanks for joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

In this industry, unexpected problems are almost expected. You learn that rather quickly in this business and the most successful individuals prepare themselves for it mentally because it is inevitable yet makes you a stronger person and business based on your troubleshooting abilities. With that being said, I’ve had my fair share of unexpected problems in the music industry, but one definitely stands out because it hurt me personally beyond the business standpoint. I was working on what I believed to be one of the greatest records I’ve ever constructed. From subject matter, to the lyrics, to the music, everything was nothing short of impeccable. I decided to involve another artist on the project because I felt they could help deliver my overall vision and I also truly believed in that individual and genuinely wanted to see them be successful in this industry. I began to share with the individual as much knowledge and wisdom that I could possibly share when it comes to marketing, promoting, and branding one’s self as an artist. I began to use an abundance of finances and resources to push not only the project to the masses, but also the other artist involved. Though I was the most instrumental from the creative aspect, I put the emphasis on the added artist when it came to media, promotion, and marketing. I literally spoke of this person like they were a gift to earth from the music Gods and genuinely felt that way at the time. I made personal sacrifices, compromised my personal comfort level, and took so many risks and leaps of faith to get that project going because I felt responsible to show this artist that success can be achieved independently without major labels or big time investors that will have a career tied up for years contractually and financially. Well, it wasn’t an easy task by any means, but the project began to get the notoriety and attention I envisioned. We began doing multiple interviews on numerous platforms promoting the project, we had tons of press online about the project, we were developing relationships and networking with numerous amounts of individuals in Public Relations and Marketing, and that was only phase 1 of the entire overall plan. Phase 2 was to include the video release on major networks, major radio play/interviews, performances on some of the biggest stages/platforms there is, and then some. Unfortunately, the artist decided to take everything they learned thus far and apply that energy elsewhere in midst of the campaign I so dearly believed in. It not only hurt me financially, but it crushed me emotionally because I had put so much into the project, and the artist, for a record that had so much meaning. Ultimately, regardless of how much pain it caused me internally, I had to think fast, hold no grudges, and find ways to retool the project which cost me more time, money, and effort. I learned that sometimes people come into your life literally for a seasonal period so the universe can guide you to the next phase while learning some things about yourself and your character along the way. It’s to build you up and toughen your skin for the battles you’ll face going forward on this journey towards undeniable success. So while I may have initially felt hurt, betrayed, and used, I began to accept and embrace the experience because it made me a better person and businessman. Also, the project was lead to an even greater situation that may or may not have taken place the way it was constructed initially. Like the old saying goes, Some Things Happen For A Reason.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am KingDarius TheGreat. An artist/song writer in the music industry. I got my official start in the business when I wrote the first viral song in the history of music titled Myspace Freak produced by J Brandon Bey and performed by the group we were in called C-SIDE. The songs viral success ended up getting our group a recording deal and was reproduced by legendary producer Jazze Pha of Sho Nuff entertainment. As a member of the group we had billboard charting success with our follow up single also written by me titled Boyfriend/Girlfriend featuring Keyshia Cole, reaching the Top 40 on Billboard’s Hot 100. During and after my time with C-SIDE, I got blessed with many opportunities to write for and Collab with many notable artists in the industry such as Flo-Rida, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, G-Unit, Mike Jones, Young Jeezy, and Busta Rhymes just to name a few. I am currently a solo artist with a variety of style and genres in reference to my sound. I have new music coming this fall including a record titled Famous Amos produced by ABK Trauma.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think NFTs are a new way and avenue to promote/market a product and that to me is always a great thing. As the individual who created a song about being on social media prior to the digital boom, I understand completely about how important it is to look towards the future and gage your plans of action marketing wise based on where things are headed. I am very much in tune with and aware of the metaverse and the endless amounts of opportunity to make finances within that world. With that being said, I also believe the consumer of music will take time on being 100 percent all in on this type of delivery. I think artists will still need to keep their presence and focus on the fans of the real world because Reality will always be relevant.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A phenomenal book I read titled All You Need To Know About The Music Industry by Author Donald S Passman was so instrumental in my journey in this business. I read that book at a very early age and it was so ahead of it’s time. The book even references songs being played outside of the Earth’s realm which to those who read it back then may have sounded crazy, but when you think about where things are going with Metaverse and more trips to other planets, it’s not so far fetched after all, and as a businessman in this industry it’s important to know about these different avenues so you know how to generate income within them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/king_darius1st/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100063450980169/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/1stKing_Darius
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCW6LZsVnhDkVfD6JdMrAr_Q
• Other: Instagram: @king_darius1st Twitter: @1stKing_Darius Facebook: @KingDariusTheGreat1

Image Credits
Benny Boom Todd Uno