Chicago has produced countless artists whose music carries the weight, struggle and strength of the city. Ink Dawg is one of those voices—but his identity reaches far beyond the recording booth.

Born and raised in Englewood on Chicago’s South Side, Ink Dawg is a recording artist, songwriter, father, role model, designer, content creator and community activist. He also describes himself as a warrior for God who fears no man. His life has been shaped by street survival, family struggles, childhood trauma, music-industry rejection and numerous personal battles, yet he continues moving forward with faith and determination.

Ink Dawg grew up in a single-parent household after his mother and father separated. Englewood’s difficult environment forced him to understand survival and responsibility at an early age. He witnessed violence and death before he was old enough to fully process either. Several of his friends were killed when he was only nine or ten years old, leaving him with memories that continue to affect him today.

Writing became his refuge. When Ink Dawg felt unsupported, unloved or misunderstood, he turned his emotions into words. It gave him a place to release his anger and pain without allowing the streets to determine his next decision. In his words, writing became his cure—something that helped him calm down instead of “crashing out.”

His earliest recording sessions took place in an attic alongside his brother and cousins. Using the original Xbox, they created music, burned it onto CDs and sold copies around 63rd Street and throughout Chicago. One of the first songs Ink Dawg released and took seriously was titled “Mother Nature.”

Those humble beginnings eventually opened doors to larger industry experiences. His early involvement with Def Jam introduced him to the complicated business behind the music. He learned that talent is only one part of building a sustainable career. Contracts, ownership, relationships, branding and control can determine whether an artist benefits from the success created through that talent.

Ink Dawg has collaborated with respected Chicago artists including Rhymefest, Really Doe and GLC. Those experiences sharpened his writing, communication and networking skills while helping him enter more influential rooms. He also gained an understanding of which industry relationships should be protected, which bridges should never be crossed and which ones may need to be left behind.

His musical range includes hip-hop, drill, R&B, gospel, comedy and other styles. Whether gritty, hardcore, smooth or motivational, his sound reflects the many dimensions of his personality. Ink Dawg believes versatility is possible without abandoning authenticity—as long as an artist remembers who they are and where they came from.

That message is at the center of his current single, “CHUBBY NICCA,” produced by EGotDatWork. The record confronts body shaming, colorism, rejection and the pressure to fit the entertainment industry’s preferred image.

Ink Dawg remembers being told by major A&Rs and label representatives that he was too big, too dark, dressed incorrectly or did not have the right image. Those opinions once affected his self-esteem. Today, he stands proudly as a confident Black man who has taken control of his identity, image and career.

His impact, however, cannot be measured through music alone.

Ink Dawg has worked alongside respected Chicago community leaders and organizations, participated in youth leadership initiatives and helped lead a major peaceful Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march. He credits his mother, Andrea Hood; ICAN Outreach Community Organization; Rami Nashashibi and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network; Father Michael Pfleger; Reverend Jesse Jackson; and other Chicago leaders for helping make that moment possible.

He has also received humanitarian recognition from the Universal Zulu Nation. For Ink Dawg, recognition for music and recognition for helping people are equally meaningful. Music has always lived inside him, but service gives him an opportunity to turn his influence into something capable of changing lives.

Ink Dawg has survived being shot, stabbed, hospitalized, financially unstable and involved with the criminal justice system. He has also endured the deaths of people close to him and periods when alcohol appeared to offer an escape. Faith, family and positive influences helped him understand that numbing his pain would never heal its source.

Now independent, Ink Dawg maintains love and respect for Rap-A-Lot Midwest and Trust Da Process. He credits the organizations with accepting and supporting him during a time when he felt overlooked, blackballed and shut out by others. He specifically recognizes Damien “Prez” Emory and Eric “Big Eazy” Chatman while honoring the members of the extended family who are no longer here.

His ultimate ambition is bigger than a hit record, award or viral moment. Ink Dawg wants to create generational wealth for his children and family while building lasting resources for Chicago. He envisions a center, stadium, coliseum or museum where people from every background can develop their talents and pursue their dreams.

In his imagination, that future carries a name: the La’Ron “Ink Dawg” Hood Stadium, Coliseum or Museum.

That vision captures the full meaning of Ink Dawg’s journey. He does not simply want his name remembered—he wants it attached to something that continues helping people long after he is gone.

---

Limitless Magazine Exclusive Interview

20 Deep Questions With Ink Dawg

1. For readers discovering you for the first time, who is Ink Dawg beyond the music, awards and public image?

Beyond the music, I am a father, role model, designer, content creator and community activist. I am a warrior for God who fears no man. I could continue tooting my own horn, but I do not want to do too much. Most importantly, I cannot forget that I am a native of Englewood on the South Side of Chicago, born and raised.

2. You grew up in a single-parent household in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. What did that environment teach you about survival, responsibility and becoming a man?

I grew up in a single-parent household after my mother and father separated. Englewood was extremely rough, and we had to do a lot to survive and stay alive.

That environment taught me everything I needed to know about dealing with the streets and conducting business. I was also blessed to have a community mother who did not play. She helped prepare me for what life would require from me.

3. How did witnessing violence, gang activity and family struggles affect you emotionally—and how much of that pain still appears in your music today?

It affected me tremendously. I witnessed death at a very young age. Some of my friends were killed when I was around nine or ten years old.

It was extremely traumatizing because I lost important people before I was old enough to understand why it was happening. I pray every night and thank God that my family and I survived.

Chicago continues fighting against many of those same conditions and traumas today. We are still struggling to promote love, unity and peace throughout the city. Sometimes, the spirits of those I lost appear in my dreams. I pray they never return with evil intentions in their souls.

4. Before music became a career, what did writing give you that you could not find anywhere else?

I used to write about being poor, being talked about and feeling like I was not loved enough by other people. Sometimes, I even felt that way about members of my own family.

I did not always feel like people were helping, supporting or understanding me while I was going through difficult situations. When life became overwhelming, I had writing. It was my cure. It helped me calm down and kept me from crashing out.

5. You released your first song in 2008 and have remained committed to music ever since. What kept you going when the journey became difficult or uncertain?

The first song I released and truly took seriously was called “Mother Nature.” I started by recording music in the attic with my brother and cousins. We used the original Xbox to make recordings, burned the music onto CDs and sold them on 63rd Street and throughout Chicago.

Family and God kept me going because I was ready to quit. I was getting older, dealing with the streets and struggling without enough money or support. The journey was extremely difficult, but I had motivational people in my life who told me never to quit or give up.

I was born with a gift. I was a young prodigy, and when I finally bounced back, I realized music was one of my greatest passions. That is why I never completely stopped.

6. What did your early experience with Def Jam teach you about the business side of music that independent artists often learn too late?

Always read your contract and the fine print. Do not allow hundreds of thousands of words or stacks of paperwork to confuse or deceive you.

Pay close attention to the people you are doing business with and the people they are connected to. Make sure you remain in control of your career instead of allowing everyone else to control it.

Artists should enter the industry as businesspeople—not only as rappers, singers or entertainers. When your business is correct and you have knowledge of the industry, you give yourself a better opportunity to win.

7. Your sound has been described as gritty, hardcore and smooth. How do you balance the different sides of your personality without losing your identity?

Never forget who you are or where you came from. Many entertainers lose themselves because they forget those two things.

I studied the sound, creativity and art of music throughout the years. That allowed me to develop bars, lyricism, versatility and creativity across hip-hop, R&B, drill, gospel, comedy and other genres. I can experiment with different sounds without forgetting where I came from.

8. You have worked with respected artists such as Rhymefest, Really Doe and GLC. What did those collaborations teach you about professionalism, creativity and longevity?

Those collaborations showed me the difference between guidance in the industry and guidance in everyday life. They taught me how to network, communicate, write and rap more fluently.

I also learned which bridges should not be crossed, which relationships should be protected and which bridges may need to be burned. Those experiences expanded my knowledge and helped me enter higher-level rooms and events, meet legends and receive greater recognition.

9. “Momma Ain’t Raised No Fool” with Don Debo carries a powerful family message. What personal story inspired that record?

Don Debo created “Momma Ain’t Raised No Fool.” When he first reached out, I did not really know him. Once he sent the song and I heard it, I felt Chicago needed its sound and message.

We wanted to create a positive narrative and a peace treaty between the South Side and West Side of Chicago. We brought two powerful sides of the city together in the video, and it went viral throughout Chicago. That led to achievements we never expected.

There was a serious war happening in our city, and we needed a truce. Receiving a Chicago Music Award for the song changed everything for us and inspired others. It also helped create opportunities for us to open for artists including Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Rhymefest, MC Lyte and other major names in the industry at the time.

10. What does being Grammy-nominated represent to you, and did that recognition change how you viewed your potential?

When you are a Grammy-nominated recording artist, you must stand on that title throughout your career. You have to show people why you earned that recognition because reaching that level requires hard work. You cannot allow the title to be disrespected.

The recognition also made me feel like I should have reached bigger and stronger places. Sometimes, I believe I could have accomplished much more in my career.

11. Your current single, “CHUBBY NICCA,” produced by EGotDatWork, is confident, bold and unapologetic. What message do you want listeners to receive?

Love who you are. Never allow another human being to destroy your self-esteem or make you ashamed of where you came from or what you represent.

I reached a point in my life where I stopped caring about what other people thought of me. In the song, I say, “Be alarmed,” meaning: Do not play with me, and pay attention to who just entered the building.

When I say, “Chubby nicca with a charm,” I am speaking for bigger men who did not always receive the same love as everyone else. We are killing the hateful noise created by people’s opinions. I am handsome in my own way, and women see that too. I am who I am, and that is who I am going to remain.

12. In an industry that pressures artists to manufacture an image, how have you remained confident in your authentic identity?

I am very confident now, but I was not always this way. I struggled with self-esteem issues after major A&Rs and label representatives told me I did not have the right image. I was told that I was too big, too chubby, too dark, dressed incorrectly or wore the wrong wardrobe.

Those comments caused me to feel hated, overlooked and judged. Now, the ball is in my court because God works in mysterious ways. I have the keys to my city and control over my career.

People can talk about me or judge me, but their opinions no longer determine how I feel about myself. I am a big, confident Black man. I walk strongly every day for my family and children. My identity is that of a boss who came from some of Chicago’s most difficult neighborhoods and trenches.

13. You have been affiliated with Rap-A-Lot Midwest and Trust Da Process. What made those partnerships fit your vision?

I will always have love for Rap-A-Lot and Trust Da Process. That is like my second family. I respect the label, group and company because after I had been overlooked, blackballed and shut down, they accepted me when nobody else would. They gave me an opportunity to showcase and broadcast my talents.

I am independent now, but if they decide to build another successful machine with strong marketing and investment behind us, I would be open to it.

I respect the label for changing my life and career. Salute to Prez, Damien Emory, and Big Eazy, Eric Chatman. Rest in peace to the ones we lost. We experienced rough times on that label, but we remained strong and stood ten toes down.

14. You helped lead a major peaceful Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march in Chicago. What did that moment mean to you?

It was one of the greatest moments of my career, especially because it added to my humanitarian work and youth leadership efforts within the community.

I could not have done it without my mother, Andrea Hood; ICAN Outreach Community Organization; Rami Nashashibi and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network; Father Michael Pfleger; Reverend Jesse Jackson; and other elite community leaders throughout Chicago.

15. Receiving a Humanitarian Award from the Universal Zulu Nation connected your artistry with your community work. Which recognition means more to you?

Both mean a great deal to me. I love helping people, but music has always been in my heart and soul. It was inside me from a very young age. I also come from a strong musical family filled with many different talents.

Helping people and creating music are both essential parts of who I am.

16. What responsibility do successful artists have to the neighborhoods and communities that helped shape them?

Successful artists should build relationships with young people and their families. They should help others develop through education and mentorship.

Artists should also create programs, recreational activities and financial opportunities. Young people need to understand business, how to develop a brand and how to protect what they build.

17. Can you describe a moment when leadership and motivation helped you overcome a serious challenge?

I once believed I could drink my problems away, but that was a destructive message embedded in me. I did not have many positive people guiding me in the streets besides the big homie, my older brother Chris Hood and my older sister Carlishia.

They were older and had their own lives and friends, so they could not always be around me. But I still had God and my family. They helped wake me up and recognize how motivational I could be to myself and other people.

I survived losing people close to me, being injured and hospitalized, dealing with the system, being shot, being stabbed and having no money. There was a lot happening.

Eventually, I realized I had positive people and family members around me who wanted to see me win because they understood my story. They taught me that regardless of your age or the obstacles ahead of you, you should never stop. That belief helped me survive those serious challenges.

18. What is the biggest misconception people have about Ink Dawg?

There have been many rumors and misconceptions about me. Some people believe I am lying about the people I helped or the things my family and I accomplished.

We have receipts documenting years of work we have done for Chicago and other parts of the world. My actions speak louder than words. Whenever someone doubts me, I pay attention, even when they do not realize it.

I would rather prove the truth through evidence and action than simply talk about it while people assume it is all made up.

19. What would you tell the younger version of yourself growing up in Englewood?

I would tell him to focus on his dreams and goals earlier and get out of the streets.

If I knew then what I know today, I might have reached the level of artists like Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. However, the industry was different then. We did not have the same social media tools available today. We had to go outside, hustle and create opportunities ourselves.

I would tell my younger self to recognize his gift earlier and protect it.

20. What do you want the name Ink Dawg to ultimately represent?

I want the name Ink Dawg to become legendary and represent a prophetic image for my family and children. I want them to carry the torch created through my hard work, dedication and commitment to the music and my people.

I want to create generational wealth so my family and team will not have to live with the same worries after I am gone. For Chicago and my supporters, I want to leave generational resources that can help our culture, other people’s careers and their dreams.

I envision creating a center, stadium or major facility where people of every race can pursue their dreams and goals. I can see the La’Ron “Ink Dawg” Hood Stadium, Coliseum or Museum. I could even imagine a statue or a street carrying the name.

I do not only want to be remembered. I want to leave something behind that continues helping people.

---

Artist Spotlight

Artist: Ink Dawg
Hometown: Englewood, South Side of Chicago
Current single: “CHUBBY NICCA”
Producer: EGotDatWork
Roles: Recording artist, songwriter, father, designer, content creator, role model and community activist
Instagram: @bigdawginkdawg
Featured by: Limitless Magazine
Interview by: Fuji Mollotti

Pages: 1 2