Meet David Slagle jr | Recording artist, Graphic designer , marketer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Slagle jr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was seeing how hard I worked for other brands / businesses and knowing they could fire me or drop me whenever they felt like it. With starting my own business I know I was all I had. I applied that same hard work ethic that I applied at other jobs/companies into myself. I knew if I went hard if not harder for myself like I did for those other compaines I would succeed and noone could take it from me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a hip recording artist. I think my sound sets me apart the most. I was born with a cleft lip and palet. As a kid I went through six surgeries and seven years of speech therapy. The fact that I’ve become a recording artist is huge to me! Hopefully I inspire the kids to follow their dreams no matter the set backs . I’m most proud to say I’ve worked with alot if my favorite artist ,including Ripp Flamez and Ricky Hil. I have songs with both of them. I got where I’m at today but not caring about the money but what the opportunity holds. Buying on to big shows then being invited and paid to travel to preform. Not knowing the outcome just having faith in myself. It definitely wasn’t easy lol. Being a white dude making hip hop has its hurdles . I wasn’t really accepted as a kid who liked hip hop in school. White kids from the burbs teased me..told me to act my color..but they weren’t aware my home life was poverty stricken and it was never a front. It was really me. I over came the challenges by not giving up! No matter what good or bad I let it fuel me to go further . Along the way I’ve learned you’re always gonna have ups and downs. Staying consistent and focusing on what you can control is most important. I want the world to know anything is possible. I come from the bottom. Food stamps and county building meetings…ive never had a gimmick. I’ve always been myself. That’s why I feel I’ve been able to over come every hurdle . My music is focused on truama and has been therapy for me .it’s definitely gotten me through the worst times..My brand is Over Here It’s Original (OHIO) . We push positive and creative ideas into the world. Not focused on what anyone else is doing. Applying pressure on a society that seems to confrom. We’ve always stood out.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I have a friend coming into town , we definitely gotta hit Taco Mike’s. Taco Mike’s is a local food truck. Small business ran by great people! Some of the best tacos you can get ! We would have to go downtown Cleveland. See the aquarium, grab some drinks in the flats . I dont really do clubs but I like nice dinners and good views lol. I got a roof top spot in Cleveland I like to eat at. Good people . Good energy. There’s a place called the Other World about 2 hrs from me. It’s a creative art / psychedelic art museum, I guess is how I could put it ? Lol. It’s a interactive art exhibit. We would hit Pulp . Pulp is a smoothie spot. They got great smoothies and sandwiches.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first person is me ! Lol. I need to shout myself out for not giving up on myself even when things got hard I still kept it pushing to over come the hurdles ! I’d like to shout out my dad Big Dave ! He’s the hardest working man I know. He runs his own business. I credit him for my work ethic and ambition . I’d like to shout out some mentors ! Kevin Arocho ! Don Paul ! Two of my biggest mentors . They’ve taught me alot over the years ! My mother Jody who passed from cancer. My big brother Chris! If it wasn’t for seeing him try to make music at a early age idk if I would’ve tried it . My step father John Hayes. Taught me how to fight and not be scared of a bully as a kid lol . My step mother Kimberly Slagle. She has had a huge impact on my life ! When I was 15 years old I ran away from my moms to live with her and my dad. I almost dropped out of school around that time . She really pushed me to finnish and I credit her for me graduating high school ! I gotta shout out my best friends, Kooch , Nico,Max,Tyler .Just for always being good people and staying down, believing in me. As far as books The Art of War , Rich Dad Poor dad. Everything you need to know about the music business. One last mentor I need to shout out is Montress Sharpe . Local entrepreneur. Family friend. Learned alot from him as well.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ayeslagle?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ayeSlagle?t=FTcz_xRMd5zdWDNiu1NSEw&s=09

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayeSlagle94

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/SlagleTv5

Image Credits
Nico,Don Kooch,myself .