We had the good fortune of connecting with Willie D. Davis, IV and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Willie D., why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose music after seeing an album that my mother appeared on as a gospel singer. Along the way it became a way to not only entertain but to educate. It also allowed me and allows me to express my thoughts and feeling in a creative and constructive way. Music eases the tension and the stress in my life. It has allowed me to touch and to inspire so many. It’s opened so many doors and allowed me to meet and learn from other artists.
Last year marked the release of my 9th album called THE DECLARATION OF ME and this year, I released my new single, PILLOW TALK.
Acting, I kind of fell into because of an ex who was the actress, claimed that she couldn’t find any acting jobs in Atlanta. Out of curiosity, I stepped into the arena just to see how difficult that it was. It was Bobby Peoples who gave me my initial start by casting me as a hitman in the movie PURSUIT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM. After that wrapped, he introduce me to Playwright Shahara Ruth who introduced me to another Playwright, Nosente Uhuti.
Since then, it’s been a non-stop journey of stageplays and films. In 2021, all of the hard paid off with me being voted by Dr. Angela Harris and the BLACK I AM AWARDS 2021’s Actor On The Grind and by Bryant K. Marshall as 2021’s ATL HOTTEST Male Actor. But it was the music that opened the door and will always be my first love.
In the interim, I’ve written and published 5 books. LOVE FOR THE GAME Books 1 and 2 with the final chapter being completed soon, BRUTAL, and CONFESSIONS FROM THE FLIPSIDE OF LOVE Vols. 1 and 2 which are books of original Poetry.
Creativity fills my soul!
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of the things that sets me apart musically is that I’ve never had to degrade or belittle women in my music. I have my mother, sisters, cousins, friends, nieces. So there’s no way I could feel like a man by de-valuing women.
My music has clarity. It’s not mumble rap. It may be hardcore and edgy sometimes but you don’t have to figure out what I’m saying or the message that I’m trying to convey. This is what makes me the proudest.
As with the acting and everything else, no, none of it is/was/has been easy. It takes commitment, dedication, sacrifice and more to achieve what I or anyone else in any industry has. I’ve lost friends and relationships to pursuing my goals and what I’ve had to learn is that not everyone is meant to ride with you. That was the hardest thing to accept and hardest lesson to learn.
I’ve had to overcome financial losses as well and have had my share of NOs. But my determination to succeed keeps me striving until that YES does come.
To know me is to know my loyalty. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly which was why I started my own company, KUUNTAAR MUSIC, LLC. I chose to make my own path but I also chose to leave behind me a trail to follow.
What do I want you to know? Stop letting others hold the key to YOUR destiny. That key was given to YOU. Write that song, write that book, that script! Get on stage or in front of that camera and be your best YOU! Prove to YOURSELF that it can be done not to us. All we have are opinions. And some are designed to intentionally discourage.
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.
Man, I would definitely show them around Atlanta. There’s still so much of this city that I haven’t seen. We’d eat at Maggianos, Hibachi, no usual restaurants that you can do at home. Check out Stone Mountain. Take a trip to Miami and Destin on the way back and just travel this Southern region.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many but Acting wise, I would have to say BOBBY and RENEE PEOPLES.
Musically, my Mother, Penelope Walker.
Becoming an Author, CREATIVE LOAFING, most definitely.
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