Senior Even Ellman and freshman Michael Nunez and leading the rap game on campus. Catch up! Left photo courtesy of Senior Ashur Stepro and right photo courtesy of English teacher Scott Nairne.
With the rise of new innovative ways to rap, San Luis Obispo High School artists have broken through. From studio sessions to smartphones and earbud microphones, rappers have started to create a big name for themselves.
Expressions decided to interview some locals.
Expressions: What got you interested in music?
Freshman Michael Nunez: It was actually my uncle, Gonzo. One day we just started freestyling, and he was like, “Oh, you’re pretty good.” And I was like, ‘Oh, I’m pretty good.’ Ever since then, I’ve been trying to get into the studio. My name is baby bird.
Senior Evan Ellman: Listening to my artists that got me inspired. Hearing lots of different music made me interested in, interested in it, and like, going to maybe, like, show my own ideas.
Expressions: What genre of music do you create and listen to?
Nunez: Hip hop, rap. So I’ve always been in love with music since, like, I was born. Like, I just loved music. I loved the way it was, like, produced, engineered. I always used to, like, think about that stuff and like, I always wanted to do when I was younger
Ellman: Well, I’ve been learning… I’ve been making beats like, like, hip hop beats recently, but I would be interested in trying a lot of different stuff. So I listen to a lot of different music.
Expressions: Where are you at right now in your career?
Nunez: Well, I mean, it’s kind of like the startup, but there’s a lot I need to, really need to do, but like, I’m doing pretty good right now. I have, like, a few songs out on Instagram.
Ellman: Just like having fun with friends, making music and like, but also trying to like, like, illustrate my ideas the way I want to
Expressions: How have you balanced music and other life priorities?
Nunez: So I balanced it out by only going to the studio on the weekends, but during school weeks, I go to school and I don’t go to the studio so I can focus on stuff outside of the studio life.
Ellman: Well, honestly, sometimes, it’s hard, I have to go to sports and stuff, especially after school, after school, and then I have to pull up to make music pretty late at night.
Expressions: Where do you record your music and what’s your plan moving forward?
Nunez: So right now, we’re starting up a project. It’s called Looney Goons. So basically it’s like Looney Tunes, but it’s like Looney Goons and like, I’m gonna be Daffy Duck and my other homies gonna be Tasmanian Devil. So we’re going to start like, doing release parties, a bunch of stuff like that, and merge.
Ellman: I’ve been going to senior Ashur Stepbro’s place. It’s pretty fun. Our plan moving forward is just like, keep having fun with it. Keep learning.
As both artists and students, these people are hard at work. Tigers, be sure to check out these artists on social media and streaming platforms. They put a lot of dedication into their art and support.
