Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Shawn Ruffin.
D’Shawn, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I knew one day I could become successful with the influences I had on others around me. Growing up in South Florida in the inner-city of Miami, I became equipped with skills to lead by example and put others in position to better themselves. The summer of 1999 my mother enrolled me in Hialeah High School, removing me from my original element to better myself, and keep me from around my peers. There I meet my business partner of today T Da Tastemaker, at the time we had no ideal we would soon meet up later in life and join forces. Fast forward in life T Da Tastemaker adapted to the entertainment industry and made a career out of his passion for music. “T” always told me I can use my strong leadership skills and turn it to revenue.
After realizing the street wasn’t the life to live anymore, I decided to take “T” up on his offer. That’s when we came up with ideal Since99. We then started to promote for a local Gentlemen’s Lounge in Miami named “Heads or Tails”. A mid-shift Thursday turned into promoting for two different clubs on two different nights within a matter of months. That’s when I really woke up and took it seriously. With the money we managed to save from the club promoting we started at legal liable company named Since99.
This is where the merchandise, the website, and the music come in to play. With an amazing logo and brand name that’s intentionally common, we decided to start printing our own shirts and put the profit into starting an online store with our merchandise. A few friends of mine who I help in the past came along and ask me to help push their music, in return they would wear and support the brand as their own. So, it only made sense to team forces and there goes the Since99 entertainment part of this whole marketing scheme.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Since99 is more than a brand “It’s a Way of Life”. The merchandise is used to support the music which is the way we express yourself. At the end of it all we Since99 wants the world to know change is always welcomed. We were told growing up the world would end in the year 2000. So, 1999 to us means new beginning to a new “Way of Life”
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
Me being an artist and a C.E.O of my own company, I feel my role as artist is a tab bit different. I really feel with the voice I have (even other local artist in Miami) we are responsible for what the community feels is important. If we speak on the matter the community will listen. But more than just one artist has to one can’t do it by their self. When issues address themselves Since99 will always support what we fill is right as on organization so it actually brings us closer together to strategize for marketing and future investments.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Even though our Brand is still in the first stages of production, our work can be seen on all social sites (official since99) and heard through FM radio station. Check out our website for latest merchandise, music and visuals. www.officialsince99.com
Contact Info:
- Address: Miami Fl
- Website: www.officialsince99.com
- Phone: 7865397810
- Email: dshawnruffin@officialsince99.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsince99/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialsince99/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialsince99
- Other: https://www.instagram/freakyruff_in_since99
Image Credit:
Game Over Films
Woody Wood Productions
SPLIFF VISION
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
