Guru Pluggy Simmons and Sekunda Connect on the Independent Music Business, Creative Strategy and Building a Lasting Career
ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta-based independent artist and industry figure Guru Pluggy Simmons recently connected with Springfield, Missouri recording artist Sekunda for an in-depth conversation presented through Tha Purple Shell and Indy Industry Network.
The conversation provided an inside look at the realities of operating as an independent artist in today's music business, covering digital marketing, audience development, creative positioning, live performance, networking, international experiences and the importance of building a sustainable career outside of the traditional industry pipeline.
A major portion of the conversation focused on digital strategy and social media growth. Pluggy questioned Sekunda about his ability to generate more than 1.5 million views on Instagram Reels, opening the door for Sekunda to explain the consistency-driven philosophy behind his online presence.
According to Sekunda, every day represents another opportunity to create momentum. Instead of waiting for a single viral moment or attempting to predict when a breakthrough will happen, he approaches his career one day at a time, understanding that every post creates another potential entry point for new listeners and supporters.
That mentality reflects one of the fundamental realities of today's independent music landscape: consistency can be just as valuable as the individual piece of content itself.
“Make It Happen” and the Importance of Differentiation
The conversation eventually moved toward Sekunda's single “Make It Happen,” a record that immediately caught Pluggy's attention.
Pluggy praised the song's distinct sound and recognized its commercial potential. Sekunda explained that the record was influenced by a Will Smith film, with the concept ultimately becoming part of a larger vision to help shift the perception surrounding artists and music emerging from Springfield, Missouri.
Rather than positioning himself inside a single genre or relying on one established audience, Sekunda has continued experimenting with different sounds, concepts and demographics.
Pluggy specifically recognized that versatility, noting that Sekunda “covers ground” with his music.
In an increasingly competitive independent market, that ability to move between sounds and audiences can become a significant advantage. Sekunda's approach demonstrates an effort to build multiple points of entry for listeners rather than restricting his brand to one lane.
417 Mafia's Seven-Day Creative Lock-In
Another major topic was the “417 Mafia 7 Day Lock In Challenge.”
The concept centers around Sekunda committing himself to an intensive seven-day creative environment designed to push his productivity and output.
Pluggy acknowledged the difficulty involved, referring to the idea of spending seven consecutive days locked into a room as a “tall task.”
From an industry perspective, challenges like this can function as both creative experiments and audience-engagement opportunities. They force artists to operate under pressure while simultaneously creating content around the process.
For independent artists without the infrastructure of a major label, developing discipline and the ability to consistently produce can be critical components of long-term growth.
Springfield's Independent Representation on Major Platforms
Sekunda's conversation with Pluggy also highlighted the artist's progression from Springfield's local music scene to larger stages and national opportunities.
The artist has opened for established acts including Soulja Boy, Waka Flocka Flame and Mexican OT, while also participating in major industry events such as South by Southwest (SXSW).
Those appearances represent meaningful milestones for an independent artist operating outside of one of the country's traditional major music hubs.
Pluggy recognized Sekunda's willingness to take a nontraditional route and build his career through direct audience engagement, live performance, networking and consistent creative output.
International Experiences Influencing the Artist's Perspective
The discussion later moved away from music and into Sekunda's international experiences.
One of the most unusual stories involved a trip up a mountain to receive a tattoo from an individual Sekunda described as the oldest tattoo artist in the world.
The journey reportedly required approximately 24 hours of travel, turning the experience into much more than simply getting a tattoo.
Pluggy reacted to the story by describing it as something that sounded almost like a ritual.
For Sekunda, experiences like this have become part of the broader perspective he brings into his music and personal identity. His willingness to travel, explore unfamiliar environments and pursue unconventional experiences has given him additional stories and perspectives outside the traditional artist lifestyle.
Sekunda also discussed experiences he interpreted as examples of divine intervention, including a trip to the Philippines shortly before a volcanic eruption.
According to Sekunda, the hotel where he had previously been staying was later affected by a volcanic event, while a nearby mountain reportedly became active only days after he left the area.
He also recalled being underground in Taiwan during an earthquake, adding another unusual international experience to the conversation.
Pluggy Breaks Down Sekunda's “TMU”
Pluggy was also introduced to Sekunda's latest release, “TMU.”
The track immediately stood out to him because of its unconventional sound.
“This is definitely different.”
Pluggy continued by recognizing Sekunda's creative range and ability to connect with multiple demographics:
“You definitely different, I hear a bunch of creativity, and a lot of markets being touched.”
As the song played, Pluggy visibly reacted to the record, reinforcing his positive response to Sekunda's approach.
The exchange ultimately led to a conversation about genre positioning.
When asked how he categorizes his own music, Sekunda described himself as approximately half hip-hop and half pop, before delivering a straightforward description of his overall strategy:
“I got music for everyone.”
That statement arguably summarizes Sekunda's broader positioning. Rather than attempting to fit into one predetermined category, he is building a catalog designed to move between audiences and musical environments.
September 11, 2001: An Unexpected Personal Moment
The interview also produced a surprising personal moment when Sekunda revealed that he was born on September 11, 2001.
Pluggy immediately reacted to the significance of the date.
“Damn, that was the day. That was the actual day. Wowww.”
Pluggy then reflected on his own memories of being in middle school during the September 11 attacks, briefly shifting the tone of the conversation from music and business toward history and personal reflection.
Pluggy Shows Support for Sekunda and Caden Burks
As the conversation concluded, Pluggy continued expressing support for Sekunda's independent strategy.
Sekunda's current trajectory combines music, digital marketing, live performance, networking, experimentation and personal branding — several of the key components required for independent artists attempting to build sustainable careers in the modern music industry.
His experience opening for established artists, appearing at major events, experimenting across genres and maintaining a consistent digital presence demonstrates an approach centered on creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Pluggy also took a moment to show support for Caden Burks, giving him a public shoutout and encouraging viewers to “tap in with my guy.”
The conversation between Guru Pluggy Simmons and Sekunda ultimately served as a snapshot of the modern independent music ecosystem — one where artists increasingly have direct control over their branding, content, audience development and career trajectory.
The central message coming from Sekunda's approach is simple but increasingly relevant to independent artists:
Stay consistent. Continue creating. Explore different markets. Take opportunities when they appear.
And most importantly, take the career one day at a time.