You might see seniors Tre Thompson and Elian Gonzalez on Stingtown News catching you up on the latest school happenings or simply working behind the camera. This dynamic duo can always be found with a smile on their faces because they’re always full of jokes. But they’re also two talented and aspiring rappers with their music on platforms including Sound Cloud, Spotify, and Apple Music.

How the two got together

  “I remember the first time we started rapping together was because our friend Brian aka WeNeedABeat (engineer/producer) bought a microphone. We started writing a bunch of songs, but we never took it serious until we started working with KRG! (last year’s Miami High graduate Randy Gregorio),” said Elian. Randy had just released a song called “Leave Me alone”, and Elian got inspiration so he decided to try it out for himself. That’s how his song “Feelings Like Uzi” came to be released on Apple Music and Spotify.

Tre’s experience was different. “Honestly it all came by surprise. Elian used to show me the beats he was making in 11^th grade, and I would freestyle over them for fun. I used to write lyrics to different instrumentals and rap to myself, but I hadn’t laid it down on a track yet,” he said.

Tre hadn’t stepped up to a mic until summer of this year, when he made a song with Elian. He direct messaged Elian during the summer because he liked one of his beats.

“We went to a studio and recorded a song together,” said Elian. “That was the day that I decided that I loved his energy. Tre was so comfortable with everything, so I told him to get used to it because it’s not going to be his last time there. So far, he’s proven me right.” Tre said, “People will probably never get to hear the first song I made because it was just a practice song, but it’s what made me and Elian decide to take this rap stuff more serious.”

Elian Making Beats

Elian started making beats during summer of 2016, when he got a laptop that was originally intended to make YouTube videos on. He was supposed to download editing software and effects to edit the videos.

“Pedro Ramos convinced me to get Logic Pro X, and that’s how I started. I had really frustrating times trying to learn how to use the software that major A-list musicians use, but eventually I got the hang of it and the rest is history,” he said.

 The inspiration behind the music

     Elian likes being able to create a song that will express his feelings in the best way, especially when he’s not able to in person. “What really inspires my music is whatever mood I’m in at the moment,” said Elian, “so if I’m happy I’ll make a song that’ll reflect my emotions. It’s all based off mood and vibes.”

Tre just loves seeing people listen to his music and show love. “I don’t make music for people that hate, and I don’t try to sound different because they don’t like it. I’m not going to change who I am as an artist to accommodate for others,” he said.

Challenges they face

Coming up with lyrics, beats and trying to make a song that people will like can be hard. “The most challenging part is trying to make a different sound and trying not to be repetitive,” said Tre. “I try my best to make sure that my next song sounds entirely different than my last. What I like most about rapping is being able to manipulate words and make punchlines that people won’t catch until the 2nd or 3rd time they listen to it,” he said.

For Elian the most challenging part is coming up with a catchy hook. “I want to make a song that would keep the listeners humming the melody the entire day,” he said.

Elian dislikes having to get used to being in a room with other people when recording music.  While Tre dislikes the self-criticism that comes with making music. He won’t release a song if he doesn’t like it, even if other people might.

 Idols/People they look up to

  Elian is inspired by artists such as Lil Uzi Vert and Trippie Redd. “They showed me from the beginning that being different and that not following everyone else’s sound is a good thing. They showed me that finding your own sound comes from what you believe in,” he said.

A producer he looks up to is Zaytoven. In fact, Zaytoven helped “pave the sound” his beats have today. All the beginning beats he used are named “Zaytoven type beat”.

Tre looks up to J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. He said, “You got

J. Cole, who tells you not to let anyone knock your dreams down. And then you have Kendrick Lamar, who is arguably the greatest rapper alive with his outlandish wordplay, crazy delivery, and he still has the ability to stay conscious and make you think about what he’s saying.”

 Possible career or just a hobby?

Thought they haven’t have performed live, it’s something both Elian and Tre hope to do soon. Tre looks at making music as both a hobby and future career. He feels that there’s nothing dull about making music. Everything about it is fun for him, whether it’s writing down lyrics or just hopping onto a beat and making it his own. “I think if we can keep this mentality, who knows? We could be one of the Drake’s, or Kendrick Lamar’s, or J. Cole’s of our time,” he said.

“I see this as a possible future career because all I’ve ever really wanted to do in life is be someone that people can look up to and just be an example of someone who didn’t stop until he made it,” said Elian.