Meet Zkivu | Content Creator

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

Hi Zkivu, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never felt like I fully fit into society. The 9-5 grind of working for another man or corporation just seems like an empty means to generate money and pay bills, and nothing more. The way I’m wired, I need tangible results. Product. Substance. I’ve always been creative and artistic, so the ability to take my artistic & creative skillsets and create product/services for people is a fulfilling endeavour. Whether my ultimate means of success over the next decades lies within my own musical veantures or someone elses, or is mainstream or underground, the result is still the same: my peace of mind & happiness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me (and my team mates @ Zkivu Park) apart from most people is an often unmatched level of planning, professionalism, experimentation, & unity. We purposely balance fun & creativity with caluculated mentality.

Over the past decade I have aided in the success of various rappers, singers, video game streamers, vloggers, etc. Their mentorship & advice over the years have allowed me to take their own successes & failures and apply them to our own content.

Whether we are releasing an album, music video, vlog, podcast, or any other form of content, we do it the best way we know how at that current time – “full send”. Although we don’t willingly/knowingly ever halfass anything, we DO often look back to our past content with a combination of pride and cringe for the progress we’ve made.

We have a palpable air around us when we walk in a room – whether its together as a team, or individually. We move official. Whether our success remains underground, or is taken to the mainstream, our bond & standards will remain strong. Whether the team stays small, or we continue to expand, Zkivu Park is something to watch out for, and Im really proud off that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Pittsburgh, but if friends come in for a week, I doubt we’d stay in the city long. I speak confidently from experience. I have had long distance (even international) friends visit me (especially before covid hit) and we almost aways head to NYC, Jersey Shore (where Im from), or LA. I’m straight edge (no drugs or alcohol), so I don’t indulge in much night life. Most of my visits end in skateboarding, traveling away from Pitt, hot wings, and studio sessions.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Before I rebranded in Pittsburgh, the overwhelming majority of my work, clients, support etc was in the Chicago area. My peers & mentors kept me motivated and focused. People like CHISongwriter & Montana of 300 especially had professional, driven mentalities & workflows that I’ve taken with me over the past decade of developing my own brand, team, & business practices.

Website: www.zkivupark.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zkivu/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6w13huQ8zaARLMfKhvdF4A

Image Credits
Shawn Mehaffey