Ahmad Davis Speaks on His PR Journey
Ahmad Davis Speaks on His PR Journey, The Importance of Building Relationships, Co-Founding Kazi Magazine, Starting His Artist Management Company and More.
Photo Cred: Linkonic/@linkonic
One of the many things that I believe we all struggle with as creators are being able to manage our time correctly. With so many things that we consistently tend to, it isn't easy to efficiently allocate your time to do what you need to do or abide by a set schedule. However, we can always find people who are considered a “Jack of all Trades.” Those people who seem to be able to take care of a million tasks at once, and we ask ourselves, "How are you doing this?" That's what was going through my mind during my conversation with Ahmad Davis. I've seen the young and energetic businessman do many things in the few short months that I've known him, and according to him, he still has a lot more to do.
From doing public relations work for other artists as well as his newfound role at a record label, to helping propel one of today’s most respected music publications, Ahmad has shown day in and day out the consistency within his grind. He also prides himself on spreading the message that building genuine relationships with the people you come across is key to catapulting your career.
I caught up with Ahmad, and during our two-hour conversation, we touched on a lot of different topics. I was curious to know more about him pursuing PR, getting involved with Kazi Magazine, knowing and understanding one's purpose, his new role at UCMG (Upperclassman Music Group), starting his own business, and much more. Read the full interview below.
1 - Let’s talk about the beginning. Do you come from a journalism background? How did this journey start for you?
It’s kind of weird. In Virginia, you can go to school for different specialty programs, like in high school. I didn’t go to the high school that was near my house. The school I went to was kind of far, maybe like an hour-long bus ride. My mom had to drop me off at the bus in the morning. The school I ended up going to had this television production program. They allowed you to do every job from on-camera, behind the camera, director, scriptwriter, editor. Whatever you wanted to do they gave you all the options. I did all of them but the only thing I really rocked with was being able to let other people know how dope the program was and talking about all the work that we did. I really wasn’t trying to do any of the processes. My interest came in when it was time to let people know why the work was important. I said to myself “I don’t know what this is called but you’re not telling me here.” I ended up going to Old Dominion University. Super dope school and I had a great experience there. I learned so much. When I got there I did the Mass Comm. program. I took an Intro to PR class in my sophomore year and I realized that this is exactly what I do every day without trying. I’m trying to get other people to know about things, I always put a focus on getting people to hear about things like new music, and making sure that people are representing themselves in the best way.
Photo Cred: Ahmad Davis/@AhmadDavisPR
2 - You seem like you take a lot of pride in being in PR. How important would you say making the proper connections is in this particular business?
Man, they’re so important, bro. It’s literally the most important thing. Side note but if you really peep me and how I tweet on the timeline, I delete at least 2-3 tweets a day because I can’t tell my clients to be mindful about what they put out to the world if I’m not. So, I had to create a burner, get a journal, and just throw things in the group chats that I have to get my thoughts out. Relationships are so important and you never know who you’re going to come across. The relationships that you build and how you treat people is like social currency, you know what I’m saying? Relationships are like writing a check. You just can’t cash them yet. You just gotta write these checks based off of being a good person and when you’re genuinely a good person the relationship-building becomes easier along the way.
3 - You’re the co-founder of Kazi Magazine. What motivated you to be a part of starting this publication that helps push the envelope in today’s music world of journalism?
I’m gonna keep it a stack, bro. Kazi Mag had just started and they had about two or three interviews on there. Kazi’s moniker is like the Ghost of NY because nobody knows this guy. I think I heard his voice once during a game of Warzone. But, we text and chop it up all the time. He hit me and said he had a lot of respect for what I’m doing and he asked me if I ever want to write for the magazine to let him know. He told me he had an interview he could lock in for me with Jay Prezi. Jay and I were on the phone and that man is solid, just an all-around good dude. We put that out and the interview did crazy numbers. It was getting some good traction. Different people that fuck with Prezi were commenting on it and saying their praise for it. I saw Cam’Ron comment on it then I saw ChaseNCashe and Hovain. Just a lot of people. From there, based on the relationships that Prezi had, a lot of people were ok with doing interviews with me. Then, I did an interview with Nyla Simone, the DJ from 105.1, and Charlamagne reposted it. I was doing interviews with people who had eyes on them from bigger people and every time they shared it, the people who respected them started to respect the mag. Then I did the ChaseNCashe interview and he only decided to do it because he respected what I did with Jay Prezi. Fast forward to now, I’m really starting to see the respect that others have for the mag. I’m starting to see us mentioned in other publications. They’re taking bits and pieces of what we’re doing and using it as critical information and that makes me happy because it shows the domino effect of just growing relationships.
4 - Speaking of Kazi, last month you guys dropped a huge digital cover with Pusha T. Can you speak to that moment and also, what it feels like to have well respected, a-list celebs now wanting to be a part of the brand?
Man, it’s crazy. I was doing a couple of pieces where I said to myself that this is lit. But, when the Doe Boy joint came out that did crazy numbers because that’s when we first started doing the digital covers. That one got really good traction and it felt good to see how many people were sharing it. When we did the Key Glock one, I was like ”Oh ok. This is different.” We did that interview and the cover went so crazy. He also did the drop for us. A lot of people didn’t believe that we did the interview but when he did the drop for us, everybody was like ”Oh ok, these guys are official.” Now, we did Pusha T. That’s ridiculous. I didn’t even feel comfortable doing it because that’s too much. I got a G.O.O.D. Music tattoo. I really grew up on that. All of those albums were like the soundtrack to my life. Armon told me he would come back to Kazi if he could do one of the covers; I told him I got him. When I told him it was Push, he was like ”C’mon bro, let's do it!” Overall, we’re just staying the course. We don’t do politics and click bait-ish articles. We really try to stick to introducing people and we’ll do pieces if a new song drops or something. But, I think that’s what separates us. We keep the integrity of what we’re doing.
5 - As a creator and an entrepreneur, can you speak to what it means to understand your purpose. As someone who struggled with that in the past, it’ll be good to hear from someone who seems to have a firm grasp on theirs.
That’s a great question, bro. I think realistically I’ve always had high-level goals for myself. I didn’t necessarily know at what time I would pivot to go toward these main goals but I knew that I would feel it when it made sense to pivot towards something else. It’s kind of hard for somebody looking in to know exactly what I do. But, for me, I know exactly what connects to what. So, obviously being a journalist and helping empower other people, it helps me understand how to pitch to a journalist. I think really spending time with yourself and learning yourself in and out is important. Also, not being afraid to ask for help. A lot of people will transition to new things and not see something through that they’re working on because they hit a point to where they don’t know what they’re doing and they’re afraid to ask for help. If you can’t be vulnerable then you’re not going to be able to fit in this landscape. You gotta be able to take criticism. Nobody in this space is perfect.
6 - A few weeks ago you announced that you were added as the Director of Publicity for the Upperclassman Music Group. Talk to me a little bit about that and how that came about.
A homie of mine who writes a lot told me they had an artist by the name of Asia Graves who’s really dope. He told me I should connect with her and maybe I could interview her. He said we’re both good people and he said we should catch up. So, I spoke to Asia and we had a really good phone conversation. I’m really good at judging spirits and judging character based on how genuine or sincere said person comes off. When we talked I heard a person who’s really focused on what they’re trying to do and I told her there are probably ways that I can help her. A couple of months after I made a few plays for her, her label UCMG came to me to chop it up with me. They have like a 15 person team. Asia and another artist and then the rest of the team consist of songwriters and producers. This team has multi-platinum placements. They just did something new with Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla $ign. They also did something on Teyana Taylor’s new album that just dropped recently. They did a lot of Bryson’s first album as well as “Bicken Head” on Cardi B’s album. They got crazy placements, bro. So, when you get a chance to get to know this whole group that’s behind this one artist you start to understand what they can do. We started talking about the work I did for Asia off the strength and based on that they wanted to build a long term relationship as far as letting me do PR for the whole label.
7 - We’ve been seeing stories for years about things that need to change within the music industry. Is there anything, in particular, you want to help change or would like to see change?
I think what’s most important when it comes to working with anyone in the music world is the genuine relationship you have with that person or group. It shouldn’t be about the money you think you can make off someone. Working with someone because you really mesh with them can alleviate a lot of these issues that I’ve seen. We should be normalizing asking questions when it comes to contracts and such because those types of issues can grow and eventually it’ll be beyond repair most of the time. It’s so easy to get caught up in a bad deal. I guess that’s the part I want to help normalize in this new role. Publications like DJ Booth do a really good job of offering resources to help new acts become true independent artists.
8 - Let’s get into more exciting news. You recently announced your new venture, No Wifi Music Group. You announced that a few days ago. Talk to me about that and why did you feel now was the time to get into artist management.
It’s definitely been one of those things that’s a long time coming. I love doing PR work and I feel like relationship building is my strongest quality. I like being there for someone and talking them through certain things. Malcolm, my partner in this, is younger than me and he is such a good writer, and based on him being a good writer, he was able to get those relationships that really helped us get things done. This was part of the reason why I felt really comfortable partnering with him on it. He and I have had a relationship for over a year now. We kept the conversation going about us getting into managing artists. My dream is to have a talent agency that I feel No Wifi can and will transition into. That’s the main goal. We’ve been working with this really dope artist by the name of Youngshann. She has the social following and engagement. We said we can use our relationships, our ability to get things done for someone, our time and resources to make some things happen. We wanted an artist that is willing to work just as hard as we’re going to work for them. The fact that people are receptive to No Wifi and don’t really know what it is yet is crazy. I already know once we really get to it and more information starts to come out about it, people are going to be much more excited.
9 - How’d you come with the name No Wifi?
I was in the computer lounge one day. This is when I was finishing up my Master’s. I’m in the computer lounge in my old apartment complex and I couldn’t get the internet to work for nothing. So, I’m like what the hell is going on. I typed in the password that was given to me 100 times and got nothing. A person walked in the room and he saw how frustrated I was. I told him I couldn’t get the internet to work. He then pointed to a sign and the sign said no wifi. I was like wow. If I was more aware I would’ve realized that. Luckily he had a hot spot and he let me use that. The moral is unless you connect in real life, you’re not going to be able to get to where you gotta go. That’s the purpose of No Wifi. You gotta be able to connect in real life and not only depend on the internet to get done what you need to get done. The goal is helping Shann on and off the internet really connect with people regardless of having internet access or not.
10 - What made you want to take Youngshann on as your first artist?
I think potential and likability. Being talented is a small part of being a good artist in this industry. People gotta wanna be you or want to be around you. You can take a person like Saweetie. She will never not get her music listened to because her personality so strong and people really rock with her. She’s gonna keep people tapped in, no pun intended, simply because of her likability. Also, with me doing PR for one of the strongest production teams, it’s only right I get those people around Shann. Malcolm and I have so many avenues to help and we found the right person to get to that next level.
11 - What is your definition of success?
Another great question. I think just knowing I did all I could. I feel successful when I did everything I could to ensure I helped as many people reach their goals as possible while also maintaining my sanity and my personal relationships. This is going back to No Wifi. At the end of the day, the computer closes. You lock your phone screen or it goes into sleep mode. When that happens I gotta lay up with my lady. I gotta go kick it with my mom. I gotta go hang out with my bro’s. These are real things. You always want to make sure that you’re staying connected to the things that are real in your life. I think that’s where the most success comes from.
12 - You’ve had your hands in a lot and have accomplished a lot since this quarantine. What else can we expect from Ahmad Davis?
What we’re about to do with Shann is going to be big. I’m really getting into connecting other artists with labels to help change the trajectory of their career. Even if No Wifi is involved, that’s still something I’m super interested in. I always feel there are people who are super talented and just because I’m not working with you doesn’t mean I won’t be able to find the right person to be by your side. You guys are going to see a lot of stuff coming out with UCMG whether it be Asia’s album coming out or any placements that the rest of the team gets. You’ll be seeing me push anything that has to do with that. With Kazi, we got some big covers coming. I got one other thing that’s like super duper crazy that I’ve been working on but we’ll have to wait for coronavirus to subside. We’ll chop it up more about that for sure.