Today we’d like to introduce you to Kali.
Kali, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I like to say everything for me has been about connecting the dots. From playing sports in high school, which got me a baseball scholarship. I only attended college for a semester because I ended up signing a record deal with universal Motown with my group “Dem Get-a-way Boyz.” Our career was on the uprise but we had bad management which caused us to leave music alone and move on in life. For two years, I was stuck not knowing what do because I didn’t have any work experience and I didn’t finish school. I think picked up tattooing in which I self-taught myself until I met Nate “King Tat.” From buying tattoo supplies from him locally. He later offered me a position at his shop studio 219 in which he would teach me more about tattooing if I helped generate traffic to his new shop. Within six months, I tackled my first portrait which was a spike lee. My confidence grew through the roof and I started challenging myself daily. To soon become a well-known tattoo artist in Atlanta. I, then, got a call from the NAACP to become a sponsor in their turkey drive. I saw how much of a big impact that I had on the event. So, I then started my non-profit organization Huglife Cares. I’ve always been a selfless person and I always put others before myself. This leads me back to music in which I started managing an amazing artist “TALEA.” And then, began to build a team, that lead me to meet “JROD” who became TALEA’s engineer and head producer. They are like Aaliyah and timberland of our time. My good friend of a long time “YBT” decided to team up and help manage with me. And soon after TALEA released her first body of work MADE IN GOLD. My good friend from when I did music “KY ENGINEERIN” wanted to team up with us to take it to the next level. TALEA just released her new project IN MOTION which is growing very fast. During the process of releasing the album, I got a call from a few of my buddy’s that I came up Tattooing with, for the opportunity to Open a shop together. Atlanta ink is set to be a pillar in the community and live up to the name. Our social media presence for the shop grows daily. This will be a place that is more than a tattoo shop, but an art gallery and a hub for the artist all over to come together to teach each other and build into a better artist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everything has been a journey for every stage in my life and things I and my team work for. With music, we deal with it being a male-dominated industry and is going to bat with people who don’t understand good music & judge without knowing. With Huglife cares, we deal with the city of Atlanta going against us for helping rebuild and help the community. Everything in life is a journey. You have to fall in love with the process & what comes with it.
Atlanta Ink, Huglife cares, Prolific Management, Ink By Kali – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
With the music, Atlanta ink & Huglife Cares. I am motivated and inspired by my team! They are all so talented and the world needs to know who they are.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is inspiring people and helping them reach their goals. Seeing people win.
Contact Info:
- Email: inkbykali88@gmail.com
- Instagram: @inkbykali
Image Credit:
@88.focus
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
