Meet Chris Davis

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
To introduce myself, my name is Chris Davis, and I’m from Gary Indiana. My story is different as I’m not from a place known for its industrial developments. In fact, a simple search of the words ‘Gary Indiana’ and the first videos are titled “America’s Most Miserable City” and “The Scary End Of The American Dream”. Business Insider listed it at as the most miserable city in the US in 2019.

I wasn’t born around the luxury of prime infrastructure, fortune 500 companies, and etc. There are no hotels, movie theaters, or anything like that where I’m from.

Yet, there’s hope.

I was raised with two amazing parents who told me anything was possible, and to strive for my dreams. Becomes of where I’m from, my work ethic is unparalleled. While I have a long way to go, I am the first person in the state of Indiana to work for two of the largest hiphop labels on earth, and I did it before 30.

Today, I am the manager of Product and Strategy for Dreamville Records, and I have my own consulting firm “CGD Consulting”. I have pride in my city, and I love to give back when I can. From every time I speak, to every post I make, I always emphasize that I am a kid from Gary.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As it currently stands I am the Manager of Product and Strategy for Dreamville Records. I think what set me apart from others is my connection to people. From growing up where I did, from the colleges I chose, to the jobs I’ve worked, I’ve been able to meet people where they are. No ego, no preconceived notions, nothing. Before, I worked at Def Jam the very last job was working at a middle school! My path was DIFFERENT.

It was definitely not easy, I had the door slammed in my face 100s of times. I used to go to stores and look at the back of albums just to look at companies I should apply to. I used to watch hiphop documentaries and write down names, just to see if I could get one person to respond to an email or a connection request. There are still challenges I face today. The industry is difficult to navigate but I am a strong advocate for equity and fair pay. It was a lot of prayer, my faith in God and Jesus Christ, and tenacity. No one from where I’m from has done this before, so I didn’t have a network, I just had a dream.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that I believe there’s enough for everyone, and collaboration is better than competition. I will not “gatekeep” nor shut the door once I walk through it. My brand is one of humbleness, empathy, and consideration.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I actually have a list! I haven’t gone everywhere. I live in Pasadena and it just so happens that my address here has the exact same numbers in order as where I grew up in Gary. That had to be God, but to answer your question!

AS SOMEONE WHO GOT HERE RECENTLY

The Best DJs in LA
(In no order)
DJ Nitrane
Dj R-Tistic
Blaq Pages
Foreigner
DJ Looney
Crystal The DJ
DJ Myles P
D. Woo
G Dot (Gianni)
Tha Prfssr
Knikohl

Events and Festivals (No Order) – Honestly @blkeventsla ran by Jocelyn will tell you where to go every Thursday. lol
Ebony Beach
Everyday Ppl
Black on the Block
Hot Water Corn Bread
Familiar Faces
Black Market Flea
Walk Good LA

Landmarks
Venice Beach
Lacma for free jazz
Hollywood sign
Griffith Observatory

Food is a bit different – I feel like I haven’t been to where I need to go, but here are some
Fixins in DTLA
Bludso BBQ

I’ve heard of The Breakfast Club, Earles on Crenshaw, Cali Shrimp and winghouse, and a ton of others, but I haven’t gone yet.

Moral of the story is: You don’t have to break the bank to have a good time. The rent is already depressing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people I would like to shoutout! Not sure if they all want to be known by name as they are exemplary in their own careers. In a general sense. I would like to thank my parents, the staff at both Philander Smith College and Arkansas State, Thornell Jones who gave me my first music internship at Hidden Beach when I was 18, LaGanzie Kale, Jeff Flanigan, Martin Ekechukwu, Jeff Burroughs, the people who continue to mentor me who I worked for and with at Def Jam, as well as the people I know now at Dreamville.

Instagram: imchrisdavis93

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdavismba

Other: TikTok: imchrisdavis93