Meet David Ortiz

We recently connected with David Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.

David, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

It’s not easy keeping creativity alive especially as being an artist. Creativity isn’t some endless fountain that flows on command. You keep it alive by fighting for it, even when it feels pointless. You show up when you’re uninspired. You create things that feel broken, ugly, unfinished, and you keep going anyway. You have to protect it from the noise, the doubt, the pressure to monetize it, perfect it, make it palatable.
Sometimes keeping creativity alive means letting go of what you think it should look like. It means surrendering to the fact that some days you won’t have anything to give ,and still returning the next day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is David Jordan Ortiz, but in the music world, I go by Block$ide$av. I’m a hip-hop artist born and raised in Los Angeles, and I’ve been in the industry for about five years now. Music’s been a part of my life since day one — not just as a sound, but as a language. Growing up in L.A., I was surrounded by rhythm, culture, and stories that shaped who I am — and I carry all of that into my music.
The most exciting part of this journey is watching how something that started as a thought in my head can turn into a song that hits someone else’s heart. I think that’s the most powerful thing about music — especially hip-hop — it gives us a platform to speak real life, to inspire, and to remind people they’re not alone in what they’re going through.
Block$ide$av isn’t just a name — it’s a reflection of where I come from and the vision I have. I’m here to represent not only my city but anyone chasing purpose, fighting through struggle, and choosing to keep creating no matter what.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience Through Real-Life Struggles
Coming from Los Angeles, life isn’t always easy — you see a lot early. I had to grow up fast and learn how to move through real obstacles: personal losses, financial pressure, keeping my head straight in environments that can easily take you off track. That resilience, that ability to keep pushing even when life hits hard, has been one of the biggest things that shaped me — both as a person and as an artist.
2. Navigating the L.A. Music Scene
L.A. is full of talent, but it’s also full of noise. There’s a lot of politics, a lot of people chasing clout over craft. Learning how to move through the scene without losing myself was a whole journey on its own. I had to figure out how to make genuine connections, stay focused, and stand out without selling out. That taught me the importance of patience, networking, and staying rooted in my own sound.
3. Discipline & Self-Development
I realized early on that if I wanted to turn this into a real career, I couldn’t just rely on talent — I had to treat it like work. That meant putting in hours writing, recording, learning the business side, promoting my own music, and building a brand from the ground up. There were days I didn’t feel inspired, but I showed up anyway. That discipline is what kept me growing and evolving, both creatively and professionally.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed — and trust me, it happens more than people think — I try to pause and get grounded. Life moves fast, especially in this industry. Between the pressure to keep creating, promoting, handling personal life, and just surviving sometimes — it gets heavy. So I give myself space to breathe. Sometimes that means stepping away from the music for a minute and just being present — taking a walk, praying, listening to something soulful, or just getting quiet.

One thing that helps me is remembering why I started. When I tap back into that original hunger — that deep love for the art — it helps me reset. I don’t always have the answers, but I remind myself that it’s okay to move slow sometimes. Progress doesn’t have to be loud.

My advice? Don’t run from the feeling. Sit with it. Process it. But don’t stay stuck in it. Talk to someone you trust, write it out, create from it — even if it’s messy. And most of all, don’t be afraid to rest. Rest isn’t weakness — it’s part of longevity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@BurnsideStudiosLa
@Teczzz_
@Blocksidesav

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