Meet Kegen Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kegen Williams.

Kegen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started doing music around 2015 once I discovered my love for metal. The musical roots stem back to at least 2007 when I first fell in love with live music specifically. Around the same time I got heavily into music, I started doing horror FX and making costumes. It was mainly for haunted houses and friends that wanted to look cool, but turns out I had sort of a knack for it and started doing it on the side with music and school. I also have a love for collecting; in 2018 I started to collect Funko Pops.

I’d say about 2 years later after accumulating quite a collection I started hearing about celebrities that come to town and sign stuff. After about a year or so of doing that for my personal collection, I branched out into private consignments and send in services. I’ve been doing that only for a few months now but I couldn’t ask for a cooler side gig than meeting people you grew up watching and getting to spread the love around.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been the smoothest road. In July 2018, I was sent to the hospital because both of my legs were completely black. The doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong. Gangrene was everyone’s first thought, because of course right? It took the doctors six whole months, mind you, I was admitted the entire time, to not only diagnose me as accurately as possible but to figure out what they wanted to do.

Their conclusion is that I have something called Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Basically, a fancy way of saying my body hates my blood. This led to finding out that the reason my legs were dying is that I had major occlusions in my major arteries not only in my legs but in my abdomen as well. Fast forward another 2 or 3 months and a 15-hour surgery; I wake up with a bypass, a completely new set of artificial arteries, stints, balloons, the whole 9. Only for everything to fail about 3 months later.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost I’m a musician. The guitar is my main/preferred instrument, but I also play the saxophone, bass, and percussion, and am currently on a journey to learning piano. I’m mainly known for being able to play extremely fast. My nickname in high school was ‘lightning fingers’.

I’m really proud of how far I’ve come on my musical journey, it’s definitely not an easy road or even lifestyle. What sets me apart is the drive. I’m always trying to fire on all 8 cylinders going after every opportunity I’m able to. You have to work hard until you’re recognized.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’d say on both accounts, the people. While living here I’ve met some absolutely incredible people that I’ll probably have in my life for a long time. I wouldn’t trade those people for the world, and I love meeting and working with as many new faces that’ll have I.

But on the other hand, I’ve also worked and met with people who were some of the rudest people I’ve ever met. Not to say that there aren’t learning experiences in both situations though.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ke_g_en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KegensKollectables/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@goliath_beast?_t=8UfrO5AMDTa&_r=1