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A.D. locks down the Las Vegas independent music scene

Jon Berrien
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GroundSounds wouldn’t be possible without the help of passionate individuals who have a love for independent music. We at GS love to highlight emerging artists, while discovering fresh new tracks, but first and foremost we are a family of friends who share a common bond and a productive passion. In this GS Spotlight series, we aim to highlight the amazing team that often works behind the scenes!

From the mean streets of Ohio, A.D. ventured out west, where he currently holds down the mic for 98.5 KLUC. When he’s not on the airwaves he’s breakin’ bread for GroundSounds, highlighting the Las Vegas and Ohio indie hip-hop scene. Beware, he’s a hustler who stays on the grind, he has his eye on the prize! Check out our exclusive interview with A.D. below!

 

Can you tell us a little bit about your background, motivations and inspirations?

I’m an avid hip-hop head & inspired by bringing dope vibes to the scene and focused on furthering the culture in a positive manner. I also work in radio – currently a night jock for a top 40 station as well as a podcaster, dog lover, marijuana advocate & promoter of education.

How do you define success?

This is a tough question for me because I definitely seek financial freedom; however I also pride myself on being a ‘renaissance man.’ With that being said I don’t know that I’ll ever be fully successful as I always want to jump into a different lane than I’m used to and proceed to carve my name.

unnamed-3How is GroundSounds helping you professionally?

GroundSounds has helped me professionally because it allows me to further my image in the entertainment sector as a blogger & music enthusiast.

How has GroundSounds helped you personally?

GroundSounds has helped me personally because it provides me the platform to support music that I believe in & feel. In doing this it provides me the opportunity to be a go-to person for artists on the come-up; therefore, I feel as though I am somewhat doing my part for the culture.

What has been one of your favorite moments while “on the grind” with GroundSounds?

One of my favorite moments while ‘on the grind’ with GroundSounds would have to be when the watches were released. I was a huge fan of the GrindTime watches and what they stood for as well as feel they were a great branding tool.

unnamedWhat kind of opportunities have you created for yourself through GroundSounds?

Opportunities that I have created for myself through GroundSounds would be those of venturing out onto red carpets/creating my own interview series/reaching out to label reps for interviews/making connections & relationships/networking in general.

Why is it important to have a productive passion?

It’s definitely very necessary to have a productive passion for plenty of reasons. It gives me a way to release steam and focus and turn negative energy into positive goals. It provides focus & structure as well as takes away from bad idol time. It gives me goals and desires to achieve and obtain. It also creates other visions that may have not been inspired had I not had a specific productive passion.

What are your ultimate goals and dreams?

This is another tough question lol. I wanna be known. I wanna be remembered. Not only that though; I wanna be remembered for the right reasons. I want to change the game & I wanna innovate it like no other. I wanna be Sway/Ebro/Charlamagne/Envy/Angie Mar/Yee/Elliott Wilson/Andrew Barber/Big Boy/Vanessa Satten/Rob Markman – ALL IN ONE.

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For someone interested in getting involved with GroundSounds what would you tell them?

I would tell them DO IT. My older brother put up a facebook post the other day similar to the likes of ‘the time will never be right for anything – stop putting it off & just go do it.’ Stop being scared, if this is what you want go get it. Don’t become an old person not having gone after your wildest dreams. You have to at least TRY. Write a post, start a business, talk to the girl of your dreams that’s way out of your league. STOP BEING A BITCH – no better way to put it.

Favorite bands/musicians:

The easiest & most fun question of them all (by the way this is in no specific order)

Cole, Wale, Joe Budden, Dave East, Jadaki$$, Fabulous, Nas, Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, BJ The Chicago Kid, Wiz Khalifa, Dipset, T.I., Big Sean