Meet Adonis Hayward of Slum Elite

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adonis Hayward.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up like many young men from my area. From my birth, I was born into a loving yet broken family. My Mother and Father were separated since my birth, eventually resulting in there presence is more of a treat than something I was used to, being raised mostly by my grandparents. Although I have lived in many places such as Arizona and Louisiana, I was born and bred in Los Angeles. Touching from the valley to Burbank where I was born to most recently living in Long beach until coming to Arizona permanently in 2012. I naturally gravitated to the arts and fashion just as a way to express myself. In a world where a young black man does not have many outlets that don’t lead to a prison or funeral home. My thirst for knowledge and love for music gave me a path away from the streets that a lot of my friends fell victim to. Reading and soaking up as much as possible to this day. That being said, I am not an angel, along the way found myself in situations that could have been the end of me. But God gave me another chance when I came back to Arizona and eventually met my Fiance. Ever since then, I have been more and more inspired and motivated to make a great life and environment for my kids, my family and those that face or have faced the same battles I still do which tends to spread hate and envy instead of love for one another. This along with the need to have financial literacy and structure for a platform in my demographic created a personal initiative and journey to creating my company, Slum Elite. The Premise of it is like the rose that grew from concrete. Saying that no matter where you come from everyone has greatness inside of them (as cliche’ as that sounds) and can reach heights unimaginable if only you believe, take action and have faith for what you can not control. I am just getting started and our future has no bounds.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have had to stay in shelters and was homeless at a young age. At an early age, I also started losing important people in my life to natural causes and violent crimes alike. Whilst going down a dark path myself to find myself and having my own life-changing and near death experiences. Once I started to really build a foundation, I have made many mistakes with my finances just being unaware of how things worked and I have had to start over more times than I would like to count. I could go on for days about certain adversities that I have faced, but how I feel is that if it were not for those down and out times, I would not be the man I am today.

Please tell us about Slum Elite.
When you hear people say music saved my life, that is not something to take lightly. The flow and manipulation of words have always interested me which is why I started to write poetry. That passion for expression brought me to HIP HOP, which gave a bigger platform and more of an interest in arts, fashion, and just the human expression. I now see myself as an artist in the hip hop community and not just a rapper. I work to stay grounded but still elevating and that’s why my music is different. My clothing line is meant as an extension to the message my music spreads, giving a voice to those who need to be heard. I am proud that God gave me another day to prove why I deserved another day. But also im proud that my craft inspires those around me to do what they love and love what they do and keep spreading the love we all want. What sets me apart is I show appreciation for where you are coming from and why you do what you do because I come from the mud and what’s understood does not need to be explained to those who know, but needs to be vocalized to those who are able to change for the better so that those who come after do not make our same mistakes.

Is there anyone, in particular, you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc?
Glory to god first and foremost. I have had many mentors or just people that gave me the game because they knew I would actually take the time to receive it. My grandparents, especially (step)grandfather Stephon Foster, who taught me a lot about just being a man and how to carry myself as such. Torin Jessie has been a big mentor to me with my journey into the music industry has taught me a lot in an out of music and is always a big supporter. But my lady and my kids and my family are my biggest cheerleaders and advocates.

Contact Info:

• Email: adonishayward@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @A_Don_is_7
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adonis.hayward

Image Credit:
Alan Miller/ @milleriller22/@miller_milestones on Instagram

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