Meet KING SHAWN DA DAWNN

 

We were lucky to catch up with KING SHAWN DA DAWNN recently and have shared our conversation below.

KING SHAWN DA DAWNN, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

Honestly I am inspired my multiple role model figures. I remember watching Michael Jackson documentaries. I would watch his rehearsal for his tour and be inspired by his strive for perfection. He would run rehearsal over and over again until he felt he had got it right. He would rehearse until he felt his dancers captured the vision he had in his head ( who went through hard working auditions) and the vision he had wanted to bring to life.

I would also watch Michael Jordan as a young jit, I would watch how he transition from basketball to selling Jordan’s (his name brand sneakers) to selling fruit of the Loom under wear and t-shirts. It’s his entrepreneurialship i would apply and adapt of being the best you can be in all aspects of life, to be the best in all your endeavors. If you want to play basketball ball, Michael Jordon put his whole ass in basketball. If you want to sell sneakers, he would research, collaborate and be the best in his field.

There was no cut corners, hard work and effort. By hard work I mean it was backed up with research. It was backed up by passion and drive. Sure MJ loved basket ball but he also did his homework. His sells was backed up by putting the work in, collaboration, forming net he wasn’t the only one who contribute to his success. He had people who helped and contribute along the way.

Michael Jackson (and 2pac my other inspiration), If it wasn’t for his disciplining father and the passion for entertainment, he probably wouldn’t be the man he is today! I was and still is inspired by Michael Jackson’s perfectionism. I am inspired by his long hours in recording studio sessions and and how descriptive his song writing is. I am inspired how big his heart was for music, human life, people and issues we faced. Michael wrote about discrimination, injustice and police brutality such as “They Don’t Really Care About Us” and still made it cool. I am inspired by how his music was heard throughout the world as well as his message to the people. Michael’s music was heard and inspired families and children from South Africa, all the way to people across the globe like Asians in my hometown China Town and New York City.

I am also inspired by 2 Pac, my former choreographer David Thomas and Deshawn Da Prince. I got my inspiration from there work ethic and humility as people. I am attracted to hard work and dedication. I am attracted to “putting the time in” and the “cle-shee” of Blood Sweat and Tears. In rehearsal I would train until my ribs hurt. Just when I think I couldn’t go anymore I would not only be inspired but be encouraged by these choreographers to push and go a little more (“Mind over Matter”).

I am also inspired by my old, former drill instructor from my high school JROTC program, Lenny Rodriguez. I member being 275 pounds in 10th grade, at about 5 feet two inches. I wanted to give up on myself when we had that PT (Physical Fitness) test! Lenney Rodriguez helped and did push ups with each and every one of us on Van Cortland Track and Field staircase (inclined) until we finished. I was not exception. He looked me dead in my eyes as if I was his birth brother, how a father looks at his sun or a mentor to its students, humbled himself and I and we complete the push ups! It had to be at least 20 of us in training. I am for ever humbled and inspired to apply that in everything I do. To use my whole ass and not just half of it.

In addition I trained without all these new wait loss products. I was extremely over weight. Though I gain my weight back, the work ethic never left and I am sure I will lose it again. If i want to be a writer be the best writer i can. If i want to be a dancer the same! As I said before I apply the work ethics in inspiration by these figures to be the best example i can, to use my whole ass and nothing less than that!

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?

Blessings! Hey yall! My name is Shawn Lackerson but i go by the name King Shawn Da Dawnn.

2024 Honerable mention for Writers Digest for poetry submission. Leman College Graduate writing competition Award Recipient for Alice Minnie Hertz Heniger Prize for Graduate Creative Writing I am a upcoming poet who been performing 🎭 at open mic nights throughout NYC and currently Miami FL. Chat with me if you need advice or anything arts related✍️📑📚

. Born in Harlem New York, raised in the Bronx but currently living in Miami Florida I have been training and performing since a young age winning first place in the 5th grade poetry slam competition. Since 5th grade I have developed a love for writing.

I discovered and developed all my love for poetry from my mother Ms. Lakerson. Since a young age I used to watch my mother write songs in her notebook. I was inspired by mother, who would also share her story of going to performing arts school in Manhattan, taking theatre classes.

I have had my work published in April 2024’s Issues of The Scene, winner of 2023’s Alice Minnie Hertz Heniger Prize for creative writing for best graduate creative writing in any genre & Honorable Mention of 2024’s Writer’s Digest writing competition just to name a few.

I have performed at many open mics throughout NYC from places such as the Nuryican Cafe, Harlem Bomb Shelter, Trouble Makers Open Mic, The Urban Juke Joint & many others, currently in Mellow Dramatic Mondays by On the B Side Ent in Miami Florida.

My name “KING SHAWN DA DAWNN ” has a sentimental meaning behind it. I got my name from an old high school friend who was also a dancer who life was shortened due to cancer. He always called me Shawn Da Dawnn. When he died I kept the name and just threw “King ” in front of it. My name is a way of paying tribute to him and his impact on my life.

Aside my poetry I enjoy acting, dancing reading, writing and listening to music. What every i endure in I definitely put my all into it.

Right now I just finish putting out a project. I completed a ep. with my engineer Zach from Bay eight studios called “LUNCH BOX ” on all streaming platforms. It basically trap music for the kids/schoolers.

I also have a poetry book out “Urban Words From A Young Urban Poet “. I have a few open mic events throughout south Florida and Broward County! Follow me on Instagram @Kingshawndadawnn for updates on my open mic or @Kingshawndadawnnn on ticktock. Also look out for my online store and web page coming soon where I would be selling books and merch and other product and etc.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For folks early in there journey I would say NETWORK! NETWORK AND NETWORK! It’s important to get out there among people. The more your network the more resources you open yourself up to and get exposed to! The more resources you are exposed to the more opportunities you open yourself up to and the more your name, your brand and the more people get to see your face and the more they will remember you!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impacting thing my father has done for me is graduate with a PHD. He set the bar to higher learning for me. He became a positive example for me to follow. I struggled with school and there was a point I didn’t want to finish. I looked at him as an example to find enjoyment and be inspired to finish my bachelor degree.

The most impactful thing my mom did was support my dreams, expose and inform me to her background of going to school for the arts and expose me to her love of writing music. I would watch her write music , harmonize and come up with melodies and a bridge in our two bedroom apartment in River Park Residence. I would be inspired and use that to write my own poetry and come up with my own music& for that i am for ever truly humbled and grateful.

Contact Info:

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@ninjastrealth

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