Warren Woods Tower’s student body is a diverse one, with students participating in a variety of hobbies and activities. For Nick Jenuwine ’12 and Juvante Hill ’12, their passion for music and rapping has turned into something bigger.
Nick and Juvante had both been dabbling in rapping for a year or so, but they finally got the chance to show off their skills during an open mic night at Blondie’s, a downtown nightclub known for its live acts.
Before their performance, they were both anxious about how they would be recieved. “We were definitely nervous. Nick felt like he was gonna throw up. That’s why we decided to get it over with and perform first,” Juvante said. Once they got on stage, natural instinct took over. “By the time we got off stage, it was cool because two local rappers, K-Will and Breezy, gave us props,” Juvante added.
“The crowd’s reaction at Blondie’s was overwhelming. It was our first time performing live and we were anxious. Everyone showed us love and I felt like Eminem in 8 Mile,” Nick joked.
This opportunity came to them through a producer, DJ New Money, whom Nick had met at Lakeside Mall. “He works for Hot 107.5, a local hip-hop and rap station. We started talking and for a couple of months now I’ve just been learning and getting experience as a music producer from him,” Nick said.
Through that connection, Nick was able to score a track on 107.5’s joint mixtape with local Detroit artists. Some major names on the mixtape include Eminem, Big Sean, Bei Maejor, and Tone Tone.
Juvante got involved when Nick decided that he wanted someone else on the track. “We were never really close, but he knew me from elementary school and he knew that I could rap too,” Juvante said. The two teamed up for the track on the mixtape and were impressed by the results.
Old Blues and Motown musicians as well as modern and old school hip-hop shape their style of music. “I’m influenced by more classic music but I like to incorporate the feel and soulfulness of that music with modern and old school hip-hop, from Kanye West and Mike Posner to Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest,” Nick said. Juvante is influenced by such artists as Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, and The Cool Kids.
Both Nick and Juvante draw on personal experiences and emotions to help them write their music so working together was fun for both. “I do kind of use writing and rapping as my kind of diary,” Juvante said.
Although the mixtape is due to be put out by the end of the month, Nick and Juvante don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “There are definitely more things in store for the future. Nick and I are still working together on our own stuff,” Juvante said. Nick confirmed this and added that he was planning on more shows in the future.
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