We had the good fortune of connecting with Jameal Pullins-MDRD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jameal, why did you pursue a creative career?
I would like to believe I chose a career in artistry but in truth it was the one thing that resonated the most with me . As a child in elementary school, I would isolate myself and draw in my sketch book. I found peace often times alone. Growing up we weren’t presented with many opportunities of making it out of our circumstances. For us it was rap or go to the league, or get caught in the streets. I’ve always had a love for music, but instead found myself in sports. It was the best way my mother knew how to keep us out of trouble. I recall times I expressed my desires to learn instruments but where would my mother find the financial backing. Later in middle school I found my passion to be a poet but in high school I found rap. In our culture the music artist were the story tellers; they were the hope for the hopeless. Being an artist seemed ideal, if you wanted to make a change. Being an artist stood for something bigger to the youth. Being an artist meant being a voice for the people. I found my voice and I chose to be an artist, it’s therapy and a place of peace. I believe words have power & the tongue is a sword. There was a song for the good and the bad times but often times a song brought us together. I wanted to be apart of something greater and the best way I knew how was to be an artist. A creator just like the creators before me. A visionary of my generation.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I came from humble beginnings. I adapted when the odds were stacked against me. I pushed forward when there wasn’t a way. Determined to build a legacy. A legacy I would be proud to leave behind. I am a survivor. The one they least expected. I was born to make a difference especially in my family. I wasn’t always taught the right things and often times misguided. In life we must escape the fears and the what if’s. We must go for our soul desires. I’ve learned living a life in fear will only stop you from your true potential. Everything I’ve done has led me to another opportunity. I see success and failure the same, just another opportunity with endless possibilities. I always say to myself if it doesn’t go against my morals ,values or ethnics it’s worth a try. I’ve lived life and watched people live life. My biggest key is listen and observe. My mom always said it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for. I got to where I am by living on these principles. My biggest key is “Do unto others as you’ll have done unto you.” Treat people how you’d want to be treated. Even in business that works wonders. Being selfless has gotten me in places you could only imagine and on the right side of righteousness. I am always a student of the game everyday I’m learning.

I don’t put myself in a box. I like to consider my self a multi-hyphenate. I am not just an artist or businessman. I believe they go hand and hand. Im excited about the success of my music career and high fashion line. My intention is to reach and teach others who have interest in building their business, whether in entertainment or corporate world. I want to show people from my background & more that we can take our power back. Just like the mission statement for VoyageAtl. I too hope to empower people to go the entrepreneurial route. Teach them Financial literacy and build generational wealth. “Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention.”

Lastly, I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with working for someone but learn from that business. If you feel you can contribute or add more value then do so. Apply for a higher position and move up within the company. If you’re not given the opportunity and you’ve worked your hardest, then create the opportunity for yourself. In this world there’s no hand outs, we work hard daily for our beliefs and we make sacrifices. We thrive on loyalty and respect. I was taught respect is earned not given. Give respect to get respect. We must do the best we can with what we were given and be the change we want to see. As an artist I had to keep a job to support my artistry. I later went entrepreneur and used that to support my artistry. It takes patience and perseverance but just remember your ultimate passions and goals. I am a multi-hyphenate. I will have a successful music career and high fashion line. I will open several business ventures and empower families around the world. I speak these things into existence but they’re not possible without faith and the help of my community of supporters. I am forever grateful.

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?
First day I have take them to the family run restaurant, Favors & Flavors in Alpharetta, Ga. After that I have a few places listed in no order or specific day but they’re some must sees.

Nature/Outdoors:
Roswell Mill
Stone Moutain
Piedmont Park
Atlanta BeltLine
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Lake Lanier
Georgia Guidestones

Markets/Retail:
Avalon In Alpharetta
Little Five Points
Ponce City Market
Buckhead (Lenox Square)
Atlantic Station

Museum/Other:
Trap Music Museum
Black Wall Street Market
High Museum of Art
Georgia Aquarium
World of Coca-Cola

Bars/Clubs:
The Battery Atlanta
BURN by Rocky Patel Atlanta
Cigar City Club
Whisky Mistress
The Roof at Ponce City Market

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?
I dedicate this shoutout to my mother Cynthia and Grandmother the late Delores Pullins-Carter. In my earlier years it was my grandmother who raised me, when my mother was working several jobs to provide. My mom often times said I got my love for fashion from my grandmother. I recall in my youth, my mom and siblings would ask my opinion on fashion attire. I later discovered my love for modeling from my mother, whom on several occasions competed in model competitions. Amongst other things like being a community activist my mother was a singer in the church choir. It inspired me to sing as well. I appreciate my mother for putting me in football programs. In football I learned how to let out my aggression and the meaning of sportsmanship. Football truly taught me life lessons and discipline. In martial arts I learned how to manage my aggression and find peace with in. My mother has been my biggest hero and supporter. She has always wanted us to win and have a better life than she had. I believe she did her best with what she had and was given. My mother and father always reminded me of this scripture. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long.”

I also would like to give a shout-out to my cousin Dr. Kelly Mccants, whom my mother introduced me to as well. Doc seen my vision for fashion and business consulting. We opened and ran several businesses in Alpharetta Ga. That was my first experience of entrepreneurship. I later took a sales and marketing job with a private organization, working for a Fortune 500 company. I thank them so much, for their state of the art management training program. I advanced my interpersonal skills and the art of sales through this company.
Furthermore, I would like to give a shout out to my good friend and mentor in the music industry Dj Rico Sanchez. He has played a prolific part in the progression of my musical career. Words can’t express my gratitude for this guy.
Lastly, I give a shoutout to all the teachers and people that I’ve come across that seen something in me that I didn’t see in myself! I thank you all for the push and motivation. My biggest shout out is to God and keeping Faith. Peace, Love and Prosperity.

Website: https://unitedmasters.com/mdrd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdrdofficial/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMInAG2IGvFQa9iVvAenhGA?sub_confirmation=1

Other: https://www.facebook.com/jameal.pullins/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mealdarealdeal

Image Credits
Sam Poze Kyra Rosa Clay BxF Unspoken J.Taylor exhibit jay MDRD productions

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