Meet Don Kody

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

Hi Don Kody, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
First. Just wanting to something I could say belongs to me. I’ll share anything I have and know with you but I still want a little something just for me. In addition to that, it’s the willingness to fail. I know that sounds crazy but I understand that I don’t know everything and no plan is fail proof.

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.
I’ve been writing songs since I could remember and even participated in talent shows but the passion for production came at the time I realized I needed to put out original music. As I rose in ranks, the thing that set me apart from a lot of artist was the fact I wrote, produced, recorded, and edited my material. Thats the norm today but it wasn’t at first. In turn, I produced and developed so many local artists in the Youngstown music scene over the years it’s unreal. I was on super producer status when using PCs for studios was still a new concept.

I had to work to convert every fan or supporter I had because for a long time being into performing arts was looked at as a weirdo or corny thing honestly. I hated that because I come from a very street background but I wanted better because it’s easy to get lost in that life for sure.

Fast forward to today, I find myself comfortable in my skin but it’s not without cost because today is not as talent driven as it is metrics driven. I’m older now so I’m now doing some of the things the newer artists do because at this stage in life I’d be look crazy out here. I can produce any type of record but as an artist, I like to make music I like to make rather than be out here trying to compete with my younger brothers and sisters. I’m a witty writer. However, I got them beats for whatever flavor you need.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m going to completely honest, this area isn’t exactly tourist attraction material. As far as the eats, I’d likely tap in with my home girl Trina Williams from A Fresh Wind catering. If they wanna smoke good, I’ll tap in with Nephalem Xotics.. I’m not much of a drinker and the club scene ain’t really my speed anymore but for them we’d hop around the downtown area probably hit Octave or something. If a good event happens to come to town, we’d hit the Covelli Center then maybe hit the outskirts.. thats just what I can think of off the top of my mind.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to show out Hank the Majestic Misfit for bringing in the music business proper, the Drew Mac for furthering my engineering chops, I want to shoutout Maurandis Berger, a great filmmaker/writer/actor a guy I’ve seen greatness in since junior high school. It’s refreshing to see his accomplishments. My guy Rufus Blaq for the insights on things in the music industry from the perspective of a people who’s been in those rooms, had solo chart success as well as writing some of your favorite songs for your favorite artists and last but not least my baby Lexie for just being her.. too many words to describe the light she is in my dark world.

Website: https://donkody.com

Instagram: @donkodygotslapz

Other: I also have an Instagram to showcase beats if you haven’t been to the website : @yoslapz