Meet Dave Legend | Artist and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Legend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, what’s your definition for success?
Well success has a very simple meaning and it’s to win. Often we think that Success is a ending destination, some kind of happy ever after. No, It’s infinite accomplishments. Success isnt a talent, it’s hard work and succeeding on purpose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My biggest inspiration is without a doubt family. My family is literally like no other family on this planet. My grandma had 9 kids, all boys and one girl. That one girl just so happens to be my mom and then my mom had three boys and no girls. That should tell you that she definitely knows how to raise men. Being a director, my mom immediately saw talent in me so she started writing stage plays and had me star in them. At the age of 17 she ask me was this what I really wanted to do, I said yes so we started preparing for me to take it to the next level. My family and I are super close so when I left Detroit, Michigan to move to Cali it was a big deal. No one ever leaves that place, so I just never thought that where I am today was possible, growing up in one of the most dangerous city’s. Especially, knowing that right before I moved to Cali my house caught on fire, ultimately because of me. I just knew then I wasn’t leaving but God made a way and boom I’m in Cali pursuing my dreams to be an actor. Cali was actually my biggest struggle though, simply because I learned very quickly that I was on my own, no money, no protection and no experience with life. I didn’t know what credit was and that I couldn’t wear certain colors in certain areas, it was just completely different then what I’m use to. After a very long 4 years, I decided to try out Atlanta for one year and ended up being here for 6 years. I started my new family and really started taking music seriously. I had been doing music since the age of 13 but never told anyone because I thought they would just say stick to acting. Now I’m in talks with major companies trying to sign me as an artist. I have my own establishment helping independent artist be successful on their own and I also write music for artist overseas. I love what I do and I know my WHY! The goal has never been to reach the end but it’s always been to go beyond. People are carrying the mountains instead of climbing it. So many sprint through the Journey and never stop to see the view. There will be challenges but as long as you stay present you will appreciate it. This hasn’t been an overnight process but some will say that. This hasn’t been all fun but hey, I may make it seem that way. One thing for sure though this is my story and chapter 1 hasn’t even started yet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I absolutely love breakfast so the first spot I’m taking anyone to is Home Grown. They have amazing food and incredible service! Also For dinner Grand Lux is absolutely amazing! I’m pretty cool with a couple of DJs so I try to take people to their spots. I don’t go out much but when I do Koo Koo room, La Pura Vida and Reverb are my go-to night spots to kick it. I usually try to support people I know, that have nonprofits or open mic/pop up shops to support local artists every week. Last stop would have to be to see me and my partner (Jonathan Felix) establishment (KLF & Real & Wealthy Ent) that should be open to the public top of 2022. This is so people can see where I’ve come from, what it takes to run a company and also how I can help in anyway.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Eleanor Word (my mother) has a lot to do with my success. At a very young age my mom saw something in me and decided to put me in stage plays. Even wrote a few of her own and allowed me to star in it. Sounds fun to have a mother as a director right? Wrong, countless hours of practicing, rehearsals after rehearsals and consistently reaching for perfection because she made the character and knows how she wants it to be portrayed. Most importantly, she never let me quit anything I started. She knows how impactful It is mentally to see the ball go through the net.

Instagram: @Daveislegend

Youtube: https://youtu.be/pOpP8nfRgWY

Image Credits
Living Out3ide The Box Podcast Perla Maldonado