Throughout high school, and even before, students invest in hobbies that become lifelong passions and aspirations. Most times, it’s sports or unique investments that make the media and allow teens to ‘make it big.’ For two young men, it was music that completely changed their lives.
“My parents wanted me to join orchestra in kindergarten,” senior Cameron Thomas said. “My father was the one with the passion for music, but my mother was emotional support.”
Having family ties in music plays a huge role in Thomas’ descent into the passion. He grew up with love, support, and someone with experience. This bond between the three of them made it easier for Thomas to carry on the family musical legacy.
“My dad loved music; he played every instrument in the band,” Thomas said. “My grandma played the piano.”
Thomas’ grandmother had a huge influence on his love for music. In her lifetime, she brought love and support to everything he did, and even now though she is gone, she’s still giving Thomas a reason to shine. His love for music represents her life.
“When my grandma died, it made me want to learn the piano more and learn the talents that she had,” Thomas said. “Art, music, and singing are some of the things she liked to do, so I learned them for her.”
Thomas didn’t stop at general instruments. He wanted to make this passion more than just a hobby, for both his family and himself.
“I used to compose songs on paper,” Thomas said. “Freshman year, I started making beats.”
In every genre, Thomas has excelled in making beats, writing lyrics, and gaining clientele. His family is heavily involved in mainstream rappers, such as Don Toliver and Travis Scott. Thomas has also received production offers from labels like Only The Family, a label that was founded by popular rapper Lil’ Durk.
“I’m going to continue to sell beats and make music after high school,” Thomas said. “It isn’t something I’m going to give up on that easily.”
While Thomas has achieved a lot throughout his music career, so have his peers. Senior Santana Smith, coworker and friend, has always made big steps in the music industry.
“In elementary, my dad played his old ’90s CDs on the way to school every morning,” Smith said. “It influenced me to start percussion in the 4th grade.”
Smith took this influence and ran with it. Since then, he has integrated himself into every aspect of music, pushing forward through the process and gaining lots of recognition.
“I’ve continued to do percussion since elementary,” Smith said. “I’m currently the only drumline section leader, but there are usually two per band.”
Family is also big for Smith. They’re his inspiration, his call for help, and who he thinks about as he climbs the ranks of success in the industry.
“Although my family has never played any instruments, they’re always supportive,” Smith said. “They come to every school event, even if they aren’t about music.”
Having this support system has definitely helped Smith push through any struggles he has faced over the years. As a senior, he’s already looking at three general admissions offers for Commercial Music Production for the University of North Texas, SFA, and the University of Full Sail in Florida. Both of these young men are pushing their limits as they bring music production past a hobby and towards a career.
“I’m inspired by Santana,” Thomas said.
These two have been friends since the 8th grade and started producing simultaneously in the 9th grade. Under the aliases’ PLASTIQZ and BEASTSANTA, the boys worked together to produce the song No Problems, which is available on all music streaming platforms. Working together has brought the passions of two young boys to life with active work and constant support on both sides of the fence.
Both Thomas and Smith have other aspirations. Their dreams don’t stop at music production. Smith, a 3-sport athlete in soccer, baseball, and taekwondo, would follow his dreams of turning towards sports for a career choice if music production didn’t work out. Thomas, on the other hand, would turn to Aerospace Engineering, or even the medical field, another interest that his father embedded into him at a young age.
All in all, these young men only want to carry on family lineage while making a name for themselves and giving their passions time to grow into lifelong abilities.
“You know the saying,” Smith said. “Just follow your passions.”
