From their humble beginnings, Cory Clarke (CO), Nick Arsenault (Arson) and Cody Marsden (Mr. KD) have come a very long way to become the successful entrepreneurs, musicians and students they are today.

Emancipation at the age of 15 and never meeting his mother until just a couple years ago sculpted Clarke’s spirit to lead his own life, but it wasn’t always in the right direction. Through high school, he struggled to find the right paths to success and often found himself learning many lessons the hard way.

Shortly after losing his father at the age of 20, Marsden began to re-immerse himself in music, guitar and production.

A mutual friend between the two had introduced the future of Kind Dub, “CO and Mr. KD”, to one another before leaving to join the Air Force. After spending a summer vacation in Fort Collins, Marsden went back home to Atlanta to sell his car and acquire funds to move out to Colorado.

On the same day, Clarke made room in his house, quit his dead end jobs, enrolled in college and bought a keyboard to assist in production. Their friendship quickly grew and catalyzed the musical and entrepreneurial bond between Marsden and Clarke. Out of their prophetic friendship, Kind Dub was born.

Meanwhile, Arsenault was overseas serving under the stars and stripes in the Navy, and completed two tours. After serving, Arsenault moved to Fort Collins and one unexpected night after FoCoMX two years ago, the three of them crossed paths freestyling late-night at a bus stop.

Two days later, the trio wrote their first song,“Twist It,” together.

Adversity sculpted the raw determination that fuels these three young men to accomplish their dreams and has only motivated them to overcome the hurdles they set out to clear. As of today, all three men are full-time students, musicians and entrepreneurs.

With a diverse musical talent ranging from hip-hop to electronic and bluegrass, Kind Dub sports an impressive range of musical capabilities; although, not limited to a specific genre, they have been focusing their efforts on hip-hop.

On Dec. 26, 2012 the idea of Hood Life was born, as Clarke was busy pondering the next move waiting for Marsden to return from a trip to Atlanta. This idea evolved from a simple band merchandise into a branding and apparel business that is available in over 15 retailers across the Front Range and growing.

Marsden’s and Clarke’s brand, Hood Life, represents the progressive collaboration the Fort Collins and Colorado communities strive to achieve through proactive law reform, respect and love for our community and environment, which is leading the way for the rest of the country.

Look for their music and apparel at KindDub.com and at the Colorado Room on College Avenue in Fort Collins, and be sure to check them out at the Colorado Music Buzz Bandwagon 5 Semi-Finals in Blackhawk on March 14. Keep your eyes peeled for their new EP titled “How We Do It” dropping this spring.

Keenan Bender can be reached at community@collegian.com.  Bender is the director of marketing and advertising for Determined Nation Magazine