My Life and Music

There was a time when I didn't have any friends. It was 10th grade. I was shy and awkward and tried to fit in instead of being myself. I had listened to rap since middle school, when I was trying to fit in in a school that was born into the culture of hip hop. 10th grade was when I decided to perform in front of the entire student body at the holiday talent show. I performed a cover of "When I'm Gone," by Eminem. The performance gained me my peers’ respect and some friends.

I performed at the next two talent shows, parodying rap songs and feeling the satisfaction of a cheering crowd.

As I grew up, I listened to meaningful rap music—which unfortunately has diminished with a new audience that cares for hot beats more than good lyricism. Artists like Eminem, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, and Kanye West helped inspire me to strive to make music that made you turn up your ears and your mind, not just your body.

In freshman year, I started writing remixes instead of parodies, and getting more serious with my music. Since then, music has helped me express myself in ways I couldn’t otherwise. Music is the one thing that every living person shares. Even deaf people can feel the vibrations of instruments in their chest.

When I step on stage, I get to reflect on my life and times in a way that excites an audience. Seeing people vibe to what I create is truly the greatest feeling in the world, and that’s what drives me.