We were lucky to catch up with Sumthing Beddar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sumthing , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
Okay….
Best investment I’ve ever made was putting 100% into everything I attach myself to in this industry music and business wise to be the best man breathing in every room.
The worst investment of time I’ve ever made was putting 100% into me without understanding the power of leverage and connection with the ” right” people.
As of 2022.. in September I realized (5 years in) talent and skill only takes you so far, it’s a foot in the door, if you don’t utilize and hold firm on your intangible qualities through the shade, fake shit and snakes in the industry.. the chase to improve and be the best will consume you . I became passionless forgot why I started and began creating from a place of lack. I left the city , removed myself from everything to see my life from distance. I did Alot of damage not valuing people and allies enough, not knowing how to use enemies staying in tunnel vision.
Now that I have this clarity, I know exactly what I need to do and what I want to do in full spectrum. Not music.. it’s bigger now.
Lesson is : don’t forget to live.. when you die it’s bout what mark you left behind.. that’s the work that matters. 2. Don’t be broke doing this, rap doesn’t pay.. people do.. 3. Leverage is build around a battlefield not on it fighting for something on a hamster wheel made by someone else. Tip scales, learn to build the arena and experience/world around the music. That’s what draws in connection. It’s not bout you, it’s what you represent.
Great, 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
First and foremost,
My name is Nathan Kilgore, but in the music world I’m Sumthing Beddar , an Emcee/ lyricist/ Graphic Designer/ fashion lover/ full time nerd/ Hip Hop enthusiast/ brand builder and founder of Villaysia & The Societal Connection.
I got in this industry looking to channel my copious amount of dark energy and fiery emotions into the music I make communicating it clear and concise on pen and paper. I found it soothing and I became obsessed with the craft of putting words together immediately. my discipline is a “rapper” as bread and butter but overtime fell in love with more things on my journey.
– album artwork/logos
-artist development
– digital marketing
– storyboarding visuals
– production
– merch design
– propaganda (guerilla marketing)
I now have put out a large catalog with multiple producers from the city of Houston TX, from 2018- current and I’m currently making the music for 2023.
The thing I’m most proud of …
I never danced a jig for an opportunity. I maintained my integrity and self respect throughout mistakes and lessons to get where I am today. Defiance and questioning everything keeps me at peace.
What sets me apart from others…
Every release of music is a crystal clear snapshot of where I’m at, where I’m going and the lessons from what I’ve lived through in the past with no filter. I’m big on honesty, not into flossing and false imagery for sales. I stay true to self even if I’m lacking in resources I refuse to do anything that doesn’t sit well with my spirit and character.
Very vulnerable, as well as insightful to things I feel my community could learn from and relate to. Early on, I developed the ability to touch a range of topics even ones we are not ready to address from a first person experience. So instead of hearing it. Your feeling it like your gonna relive it with me, painful or euphoric.
The brand “Villaysia” / “The Societal Connection” is solely based around progress in anything I touch and my people around me want to learn and put hands in. Very tight close-knit camp.
It started as the umbrella for the music, now I’m restructuring it to be a movement type Media network for artists of the same cloth/ anything to diversify and capitalize on ideas. Reaching the people is everything now. I’m here to make change and impact, and influence strength in areas needed, before my soul hit the next phase.
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 music & skill an artist has goes a long way”… It’s BS… ANYBODY CAN RAP.. ANYBODY CAN MAKE AMAZING PRODUCTION…. ANYBODY CAN DEVELOP AND BE COLD AT CREATING.
How many people know it’s business at the end of the day, and can put numbers on the board and scale up while having tangibles and audience/accolades to show for the work they put in.
At this point I’m here to win.
I’ve proved I’m dope. The results will match the effort this time round, it’s all numbers, numbers buy value and catch investors and people’s attention. It’s music business, if you only want to make music and not understand business & sales, you will fall behind and most likely fail quickly.
I’m out to get respect from HOV and then surpass my peers.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
– Have enough leverage with multiple streams on income to disappear somewhere where cherry blossoms grow and the weather good.
– impact the people enough to develop a cult following.. quality over quantity
– wake up and answer to my damn self and control my time. Money is time.. time is money, I value time, so let’s get this money so I can enjoy my time wisely. This is America and inflation’s a bitch lol
– and to reach a place a peace I’ve never seen and raise my seed to be a beast by any means.
Contact Info:
- Website: Villaysia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumthingbeddar/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCjLryO0_9gR9_y6bQu_G2HA
- Other: Music links: https://songwhip.com/sumthingbeddar Thanks for having, we should do this again. Sincerely, -V!
Image Credits
Nathan Kilgore Jaime rodriguez