Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie D Davis, IV.
Willie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m an ex-banger turned entrepreneur.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I started my music career.
It was my Moms that introduced me to music because she herself was a gospel singer. I had come across an album that she did and that motivated me to get into music. She was my biggest inspiration.
In my music pursuits, I had been a part of a few groups but hadn’t really made as much headway as I did as a solo artist so I continued on that road. This lead me to leave Michigan as well as a few personal reasons.
I moved to Atlanta to further pursue my career because I didn’t feel my style of music, which had a hard-edged West Coast feel to it fit the music scene in my hometown. I was getting a little notoriety but at the same time, my music was causing a little controversy being called anti-semitic and racist because of some of my lyrics.
As I was pursuing my music and performing in various venues and events around Atlanta, I fell into acting. I was given my first real shot as an extra in Bobby and Renee People’s film “Pursuit of the American Dream”.
Because of the Peoples’ more doors in the acting realm began to open up and I extended my talents as an actor working with Mary Redmon and Kewin Muhammad (The List), April Whitaker (Undercover Detective), Shahara Ruth, Nosenti Uhuti, Shaheem Sahid (Tangled and Twisted), London SistaGirl#1 (Stop Bringing Your Good Booty Calls… How To Stop Your Man From Cheating) and others.
Each of these people played a major part in my transition to being who and where I am today.
I continued and continue making my music having 7 albums to my credit.
I started KUUNTAAR MUSIC, LLC which is the parent company for my other services, ANX Records, MEDIANTIX Film/Photography and TBC Cleaning Services which specializes in Foreclosure and Eviction cleaning. I’ve also authored 3 novels (LOVE FOR THE GAME 1&2, and BRUTAL). I’m currently in the process of completing a book of poetry (Confessions From The Flipside of Love) due out by the end of the year.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s no such thing as a smooth road.
I faced little to no support from family. Backstabbing and spiteful friends. Exes that either stole or destroyed my early works. There hasn’t been anything easy on this journey but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The trials and the tribulations builds fortitude and character. You really see what you can and can’t handle, who does and who doesn’t have your back.
I found more support from those that became family than I did from most of my blood family.
I’ve been talked about, dogged out, put down slept on my entire existence. That was where the name NXICON came from. No matter what negativity came my way, I found a way to make it positive and to make it work for me. That itself is hard to do. But, because the name speaks for itself, I have to live up to it.
No excuses, I can overcome negativity.
Very few people know exactly what I go through on a regular basis and why I push so hard to leave a legacy behind. No one knows that I wasn’t born a bouncing healthy baby boy. I had and have issues that follow me every day of my life but I have to be strong because I’m a big brother. Protector of anybody and everybody around me. Being me is a challenge. trying to keep a strong face is a challenge.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
KUUNTAAR MUSIC, LLC which is the parent company for my other services, ANX Records which will be releasing my newest album later this year hopefully. It’s currently untitled but it’s in the works, MEDIANTIX Film/Photography is my film production and photography coming that’s slowly coming into place. I’ve shot some events around Atlanta, a model photoshoot in Savannah and Knoxville and am about to film two films “FREINDGENCE” by T.R. Bailey and my own film “The Case”. I’ve also written a web series called “A Man’s World” and “The Ville” based off the characters in my “LOVE FOR THE GAME” series and TBC Cleaning Services which specializes in Foreclosure and Eviction cleaning.
As for what I’m mainly known for, it’s the music and the acting but that is all going to change real soon with this interview.
The thing that I’m the proudest of as a company is a fact that I came from nothing and nowhere, to be doing exactly what I’m doing now. People shunned me, turned their backs on me, wrote me off, doubted but here I am an ex knucklehead turned Entrepreneur being interviewed by a top publication.
What sets me apart is my tenacity and my diligence. My belief in myself to succeed by any means necessary. I proved wrong anyone and everyone that doubted me including MYSELF. Tell your readers this, the only thing that can stop your success is yourself. What others say, speak, mumble, whisper is only an OPINION and holds as much weight as YOU give it. I’m set apart because I set myself apart and you have to. You have to be YOU and no else can do that but YOU!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career musically was having my music featured in independent film projects.
As an actor, seeing my name in the list of credits for the first time.
As an author, publishing my first book and as an individual having the opportunity and the honor to meet Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Andrew Young. Where I’m from that just doesn’t happen. Atlanta and being in Atlanta has opened so many doors for me.
The biggest, proudest moment is knowing that I was able to turn my life around to become someone positive in a world that says we not good enough, smart enough to be Superstars.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 404-919-3671
- Email: tbccleaning@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theactorwillied, www.instagram.com/nxicon
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/willd4theactor, www.facebook.com/therealNXICON
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/nxicon
- Other: www.isharinman.wix.com/willie-d-davis-iv
Image Credit:
Pictures by Carolyn Grady, KUUNTAAR MUSIC and MEDIANTIX
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