Kid Ink on Staying Humble
Kid Ink’s career is in the fast lane. His second studio album dropped in February and he has hits with the biggest names in the game, from Chris Brown to Usher.
But there’s more to the man than tattoos and catchy hooks.
His success may seem meteoric but it has been anything but. In fact, for a long time he was in the back seat. Kid Ink, whose real name is Brian Todd Collins, has been grinding away as a producer since the age of 16, working with hip hop heavyweights like Sean “Diddy” Combs. Only recently has he come into the spotlight as an artist in his own right.
While he says that his producing background has given his music a different sound and feel then other artists, it’s also helped him stay grounded in his rise to the top. In an interview with ANDPOP, he said:
“I think the main quality is just me being humble. I think it’s something that I was able to acquire just from being in the game. I think as a producer and seeing so many other artists succeed and fail, seeing how things could play out, I think I was just a little bit more humble about the situation instead of always wanting to be a superstar.” — Kid Ink
He’s also not afraid to admit that he didn’t do it alone. From his manager, DJ IllWill, to his engineer, hypeman, and tour managers, everybody has a valued role on team Kid Ink.
“It’s not always about the Hollywood life. I think it’s just about teamwork. You can’t do it by yourself. Everybody plays a part, you can’t play every part.” — Kid Ink
While it’s important to always be in the driver’s seat of your career, sometimes slow and steady really does win the race. When you’re focused on gaining knowledge over becoming a megastar, you can learn from the accomplishments and mistakes of those who came before you. That way, when you’re ready to take on more responsibility, you have the experience and know-how to succeed.
Remember: you need to walk before you can run. If you’re an intern with CEO aspirations, embrace the learning opportunity. Make connections, take notes, and you’ll be big time in no time.
Stay humble, stay grounded, and you’ll find your way to the top. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for insight, wisdom and notices for when our posts go live.
Further Reading
Rapper Kid Ink Talks Usher, Fifth Harmony and His New Album
Image credit: fdrmx.com
Originally published at www.thisisyearone.com on March 9, 2015.
