Today we’d like to introduce you to Kako.
Hi Kako, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I grew up in a place where most people were afraid to be themselves. Everyone was always concerned with how others viewed them, and they allowed that to dictate and obscure their own vision of themselves. I was the golden child but also the black sheep simultaneously. Things I would be willing to do were always the actions that went against what people would consider normal behavior and in keeping with the status quo. Basically, I never cared about what other people thought about me because at a very young age I realized no one tries harder to make me a better me than me, and no one ever could. People will support and love you and also speak negatively about you and your progress, whether you’re doing good or bad someone will always find something to disagree with. I learned to trust God in all things. Jesus is the epitome of what it means to be a man of integrity and perfection so as long as I follow that example he provided for us then I know, without a shadow of a doubt that I can be courageous in whatever I am doing even if people hate me for it or talk down on it. Most people didn’t love Jesus until he was already dead. It’s a good thing he came back to life. A Bible verse that always reminds me to be courageous is
Roman 5:4-6: “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Please tell our readers about what you do, what you feel is most exciting or special about it, as well as anything else you’d like folks to know about your brand/art/etc. If relevant, please also tell our readers about anything new (events, product/service launches, expansion, etc.
My motive musically is to encourage those who struggle with real every day mountains that we all have to conquer and endure, to help shed light on how to overcome the issues we were never expressly taught how to deal with because there is no script on adversity, just as there is no script on how to do everything right in each person’s individual life. Different emotions, pain, life experiences, growth, adversity, relationships, I’m here to give my take; as I traverse through the same journey, on ways that I have overcome trials and tribulations in my life. In ways, I feel qualified due to the many lives I’ve lived from starting my journey in a poor household, having to use myself and my families jackets as covers sleeping on the living room floor because we had no furniture after my dad spent his very last getting us into a $500 apartment, from us in having to move into the Red Roof Inn Hotel in Union City, Georgia where he would hold church services, and I would sing play drums and play the piano in his church choir, then we would sleep on the metal chairs stacked three in a row every single night for years, to fast forward, running away from home and working at a barbershop part-time at 15 years old with my best friend suffering from lymphoma cancer and being forced to sleep in laundromats and carry my clothes around in a black trash bag in order to have a wardrobe to wear as I continue to attend school on my own every day. After graduation joining the military at age 18 and completing four years of service being awarded three service metals, becoming the blue jacket of the quarter, the command fitness leader for four years in a row, a STA-21 officer candidate being the only one worthy in my entire command of 2,000 people, then ending my service after 4 full years and receiving an honorable discharge. Then back to being homeless again on three separate occasions for months at a time, living out of my car, showering at 24 hour fitness, sleeping on Hollywood Boulevard and melrose, counting change that I find in in my trunk in order to eat all while performing live music shows at different events to promote my brand and even getting signed to two different record labels while still homeless. The time spent in between learning about myself, watching the ways of the people of this world from having times in my life where I felt like the world had completely forgotten that I was alive, that’s where the music exists. You’d be surprised at how overlooked you become when people think you look like a bum. So, at times when I seem quiet while receiving the applause nowadays, it’s not that I shy away from what seems like the acceptance of the people in the crowd, but it’s that I’ve seen the depths of the uglier side of humanity as a whole and I don’t find pleasure in praise because I’ve seen punishment in people. My brand is called Bastion, a bastion is the section of a castle that is considered the first line of defense, this is the place where those who protect the castle from siege launch their first attack on any enemy who attempts to invade. Every day, every moment, every second, the enemy is formulating a plan to attack us all. To be a member of team Bastion means that while the enemy is attacking, you won’t sit idly by—no instead, you’ll be the first defense. In regard to what I find special and what makes being a musician worthwhile for me anymore is when someone contacts me to communicate that in someway shape or form I have helped them to live a better life through my music, content, biography, advice, or inspiration, hearing that is motivation for me to keep going, it’s the jam to my bread! Musically and creatively I have much to come, including Bastion II, Love fantasy III, a load of brand new singles with features from artists like Conscxous, Flash Marino, Novakan3, RaShunda and a few more. Very soon, I will begin my very first Patreon that will launch the most exclusive content that I have ever created. One where I build a house from scratch with a step-by-step tutorial and also brand new music for the soundtrack that would be introduced, new vlogs, livestreams, new ways for fans to interact with me by involving them virtually in my creative process and allowing them to create songs with me, new Bastion Designer-wear, exclusive music videos, my new E-book titled “The Method” sharing tips a vital information on brand development, exclusive music industry insight, and how I amass 20-30k views monthly and consistently on my social media platform, and lastly opportunities to meet me in person all exclusively available only to members of my Patreon.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Some people would consider me a man of many talents. The reason is because I never limited myself to simply learning one thing and only focusing on it instead, I’ve always regarded multitasking as a skill of its own. The only way to grow is through enduring pain, it is painful to admit that you are not good at a certain thing, but just like any 12 step process the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. I wholeheartedly believe that investing in areas where you are not strong, is the overall way to have continual growth throughout your entire life and personally I believe it’s the best way to never get bored. The key isn’t solely in trying new things, the key is being consistent.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The beginning of all wisdom is the fear of the Lord. If you don’t have faith in something then, what do you have? What is your purpose for doing what you do? I’ll answer, you don’t have one. Finding your faith will guide you to your purpose and if your faith is in God, then you will gain wisdom, and if you gain wisdom, then you will gain understanding, but before you gain wisdom and understanding you will bleed discipline.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.bastionforever.com
- Instagram: @Kako.66 https://www.instagram.com/kako.66/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kako66_
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Uu0GmtAeGGcvUoF98jY8u
- TikTok: @Kako.66 https://www.tiktok.com/@kako.66
