Davontay Jennings of Akron on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Davontay Jennings . Check out our conversation below.

Davontay , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
“I would say I’ve been walking a path for most of my life because I’ve always had a clear vision of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to pursue it. I’ve been very intentional about setting goals and following through with determination and focus. At the same time, I’ve experienced moments of wandering, and I’ve learned that those detours can be valuable. Plans don’t always unfold exactly as expected, but sometimes the turns lead to growth, new opportunities, and a broader perspective. Wandering has helped me build curiosity, step outside of my comfort zone, and appreciate the journey instead of just the destination. Overall, while I may wander at times, I remain grounded and committed to the bigger picture and the goals I’ve set for myself.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Davontay, also known as BagVicious Tay. I wear many hats in the entertainment world—I’m a promoter, host, talent manager, executive producer, and entrepreneur. I founded Bag Vicious Entertainment, a fast-rising full-service entertainment company that spans talent management, a record label, branding, media relations, event planning, a sports agency, and even a clothing line.
What makes us unique is our mission: we focus on elevating underground and local talent—artists, athletes, actors, producers, influencers, models, and comedians—by giving them the tools, opportunities, and exposure they need to succeed on a global scale. We combine creativity, authenticity, and innovation to transform raw potential into real success stories.
For me, this is more than a business—it’s a movement. We’re passionate about pushing boundaries, creating groundbreaking projects, and inspiring others to chase their dreams with full dedication. Alongside managing talent, I also promote and host events of all kinds—from nightclub parties and showcases to celebrity bookings. I’ve had the privilege of booking and promoting major names like Sukihana, Queen Key, Babyfxce E, Hurricane Wisdom, Lil Poppa, Chicken P, Big Lex Not The Lil One, Summer None Other, Big Boogie, YK Niece, MyaaP, and Tay B.
At the end of the day, my goal is to keep building platforms that shine a light on rising stars while continuing to raise the bar for entertainment culture.”

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Someone who saw me clearly before I could truly see myself was the late Dimitri Davis, known to many as MeechTheDJ. He recognized my potential at just 14 years old, long before I fully understood the path I was stepping into. To me, he was more than a mentor—he was like an older brother. I could come to him with questions, ideas, or even doubts, and he always offered me perspective and guidance.
Meech believed in my vision and encouraged me to pursue it with focus and consistency. He gave me valuable insight into the world of party promotion and event planning, teaching me lessons that shaped the way I approach business and creativity today. What stood out most was his ability to keep me grounded—reminding me that success isn’t just about the wins, but also about learning from the losses and continuing to push forward.
His belief in me instilled a confidence that I carry to this day, and his influence remains a major part of the foundation of who I am and what I do. Meech’s support and mentorship showed me the importance of having someone who sees the bigger picture for you, even before you see it for yourself.”

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success alone never could. It showed me resilience—the ability to keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned. Success can be rewarding, but it doesn’t always test your character the way setbacks do. Through challenges, I learned patience, humility, and the importance of gratitude.
Suffering also forced me to look deeper into myself and discover strength I didn’t even know I had. It reminded me that growth often comes from discomfort, and that the toughest moments prepare you for the opportunities ahead. Success celebrates the outcome, but suffering shapes the mindset, discipline, and determination it takes to reach that outcome. Without those difficult experiences, I wouldn’t appreciate my wins the same way, nor would I have the drive to keep building when the road gets hard.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. In everything I do—whether it’s building Bag Vicious Entertainment, working with artists, or hosting events—I make sure we stay true to who we are and where we come from. The entertainment industry can sometimes push people to change or fit into a certain mold, but I believe real success comes from embracing individuality and originality.
For me, protecting authenticity means making sure my team, the talent I work with, and the culture we’re building always reflect honesty, creativity, and real passion. It’s about staying grounded, respecting the community that supports us, and giving opportunities to voices that often go unheard. No matter how big we get, that value is something I’ll never compromise.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I’m doing what I was born to do. In fact, I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of what’s ahead. Everything I’m doing right now—the events, the management, the brand building—I see as the early stages, the baby steps toward something much bigger than even I can imagine.
Since I was a kid, I knew my path would be in music and entertainment. As I grew older, that vision only became clearer and closer to reality. I’ve never been the type to just follow what I was told to do—I’ve always been driven to follow my own calling, even if it meant taking risks or failing along the way. To me, failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of the process. Each mistake teaches me how to grow, improve, and get closer to my goals.
You can always tell when someone is doing what they were born to do—the passion and energy are different. It’s not about money or recognition; it’s about the joy, drive, and sense of purpose that comes from doing what you love. That’s how I know I’m on the right path, because I would still be doing this work even if I wasn’t getting paid. This isn’t just a career for me—it’s my calling.

Image Credits
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