Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Scott Lykins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Scott thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Never rush the process. After 3 decades in music, the one consistent thing in my music career has been the people around me. The driving force behind performing over 1,500 concerts in 39 countries and getting paid to travel the world came from gratitude every day that God put me in the position to enrich the lives around me through the true stories of our lives.

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

I was born an orphan in the foster care system in Oxnard, California. Born into a hip hop scene that included Madlib, The Lootpack, MED, Oh No that later spawned artists in the scene like Super duper Kyle and Anderson.Paak and many of the artists from Stones Throw Records. We all grow up together with a story of trauma and pain that is heard and told about through our music and heard in our voices. I guess the rest of the world could relate to the rawness of the music and what we are saying out here because they listen.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was on tour in Europe and got an email from a promoted in Holland about performing on his festival, last minute. He told me his budget was lower than my fee (never compromise your fee, know your value). I thanked him for the invitation and told him I would see what I can do to make it out and get back to him. I had already been touring with artists from Canada that were on SOCAN artist finding which basically is a rap budget from the Canadian government (so cool). So I sent an email to the American embassy in Holland and asked about cultural funding and that I had been invited to a festival but the festival was out of budget and I needed X amount of dollars to perform and make the trip. I got an email back saying that they would give me the X amount and I could pick up the money at the embassy. I was SOOO HAPPY. I did a little dance and called the promoter and told him I was coming. When I got the the embassy the nice lady that funded me was not American but Dutch. (Shout out Tilly De Grout) and when the others in the office asked if the embassy funds stuff like rappers she said, ” No, but he sent me the best email and I couldn’t say no”. Trust your journey, know your value and the rest will work itself out.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During COVID there was no concerts. No money. Shocking to say the least. A friend I grew up with started a Cannabis brand and asked me if I think I could sell it. Now I’m not a sales person at all, I would rather give everyone everything they need but it doesn’t work like that. So I began visiting dispensaries with product and building a nice network of people and dispensaries that were happy with the service I gave them and that I was trustworthy and honest and a creative over a salesman first of all. Over the past 5 years now I have established accounts throughout California for various brands and am now Sales Director of one of the fastest growing companies in California. I used the relentless ambition I used to book my shows and tours into building accounts and it gave me another force in my life to wake up extra early and go get it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Spinzonline.com
• Instagram: Spinz805
• Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/spinzhiphop
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spinz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@spinz805?si=EXGsQLjb1yuoqKe2

Image Credits
Joshua Antorietto