We had the good fortune of connecting with D’Angelo Caywood “Kwood” and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi D’Angelo, why did you pursue a creative career?
I think being able to create or innovate new ideas is a big part of life. Especially with expressing yourself. It allows you to fail and make mistakes, but show people that it’s perfectly fine. I’m pursuing a career in music and entertainment because simply because I love it, and I love what it can do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well for starters, I started out making music in 2014 while attending Sweetwater High school. I grew up in National City, California where it’s never been ideal to make it “big” off something like rapping. At the time most of it was people way older than me, that told me to find an actual career and “quit dreaming”. But I noticed it was mostly because their dreams never became true, or turned out how they wanted. Nobody ever actually gave it their all, or if they did they eventually gave up due to feeling “too old to be doing this”. So it was never easy, especially in the beginning. It got even more challenging the more serious I became. Growing up didn’t make it any easier either, since you don’t have all the time that you did as a younger teenager or early 20’s. So all the “older people” who once challenged my mindset and ideas I slowly started to understand why they made their choices; but also understood I have my own to make. You can only take things so much further with so many odds stacked against you. That’s a big lesson that lit up my flames in the first part. We all walk a different journey in life. All I want the world and my family to know is that I never gave up on what I believed in, also never lost sight of my goals in the process. It’s a real grind and hustle you embody in your spirit when it’s something you want so bad, it keeps you awake at night. You aren’t going to get there overnight, but it’s going to happen if you put the work in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh that’s easy, I’m showing them all over La Jolla, Mission Beach, Downtown SD or East Village, Paradise Hills, especially local taco shops in National City. Being born and raised in San Diego and the westcoast in general, it becomes normal to know the best mexican food spots. If they’re into Korean, Japanese or Thai eateries easily heading to North Park or Convoy in balboa area. I can’t give out too much sauce cause if you know, you know!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My entire family deserves a shout out too, and that’s for life. They’ve all taught me how to survive in this world & showed me what real love is. My mother. Without her I truly wouldn’t have a purpose and dedicated love for life. She showed me that life is to be enjoyed, but it can’t be enjoyed if people around aren’t doing the same.

Instagram: @MixedByKwood

Twitter: @MixedByKwood

Youtube: @FYTEMPIRE

Other: TikTok: @MixedByKwood
More on Youtube: @QzProductions

Image Credits
@LosCreatorsClub
@kaithleenclarise
@d.bryanvejar

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.