We recently had the chance to connect with Antoine Payne and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Antoine, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What battle are you avoiding?
None, I’m all about addressing the problems head on. Avoiding stuff is pointless eventually you’ll still have to address it. I’m to old to be avoiding people, places or things unless I’ll have an allergic reaction.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m 900 Bill aka Lil3rdParty the KC tech guru with cool music. It’s 3 big brands you’ll hear or see related to me specifically
1. Wax Dabby is the music label I created to push me & friends.
2 Lil3rdparty is the gaming team created for content and tournaments, we made Lil3rdparty to offer tech assistance in multiple markets from lighting to cybersecurity.
3. 900 Bill the artist, creative, audio dope seller.
It’s easy to get bottled in especially in a world with shrinking attention spans/niches. I’m a realist (meaning I like to keep things in reality, not that im the realest) I like to make sure people understand that cause I’ve seen minds miss the difference between the two.
I’m an artist in music and technology. I’ve created a Cybersecurity product thats utilized around the world & made songs that have traveled just as far. I love creating, curating , and computers so I offer help wherever however I can often for less than the normal fee, cause it’s fun for me.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my brother really forced me to be myself. Growing up as “Little brother” you’re often placed in this shadow, parents expect you to be like them in some way. All their friends don’t know you as anything else. So you really have to make your mark.
While we’re both socialites it’s a big difference between us that i’ve always seen from a young age. That little brother relationship is one of the reasons I made Lil3rdparty, cause the idea that somebody could become giant across the globe and still be seen as “Little/Lil” is hilarious to me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Pay attention to their lack of effort for you.
I started this whole thing cause I wanted to have fun with friends, I always knew I could do stuff by myself but it’s boring solo. Unfortunately everyone isn’t in it for all, some are just for themselves. I’ve had phone calls mapping out plans, models, blueprints and seen friends turn cause they’re not the glowing point of the day or month. While I’ve never wished bad on anybody I do wish I wouldn’t have helped them at all to begin with so I’d tell my younger self to pay attention to how they treat you, your art, your time.
Light example I supported a friend’s photography journey from the start paid the fee no discount requested, and I got back the most subpar photos($50 4 photos in the same seat/position, likely burst shot, 3 months turn around time) but as a friend I said their learning and I took it as a lesson. It wasn’t their first time going subpar on my art either.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
This is tough cause I personally just live. I don’t really know what the public version of me looks like to people. 😅 I don’t really care about the public cause it’s rare that all of the public is involved in my growth or struggle, but I’ve never tried to create a fake image that I’d have to adhere too. Sometimes my hair is braided, sometimes I combed it with my hands, everyday I look good.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely, Im not my best form yet but I’ve put in a ton of best efforts to get where I am now, and I’m dissed/downplayed often now. Growing is learning that people’s praise or validation doesn’t set the mark of your work. In a sales sense that matters but in grand picture you knowing that you put your best into something should give you the best feeling in return.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Encodedcorp.com
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/WaxDabby
Image Credits
Tech photos by L. Rene photography
Studio/car photos by Lil3rdparty
