By Jaemee Cordero and Murphy Garcia, Reporters
Sophomore JayVon Malik is called up next to perform. He steps out on the stage, hundreds of eyes glued on him, but he blocks out the audience in front of him. He focuses on what he’s there for: to share his talent.
He drowns out everything else and listens to the music as it begins to play around the auditorium. The moment he begins to sing, a nervousness rises up in his chest, but it’s natural and it quickly fades.
“I remember hearing cheers and not seeing anyone,” Malik said.
His voice hits every key in the chorus of his song. His body loosens and his feet slide back and forth, in sync with the beat.
“I let myself get ‘in the zone,’” Malik said.
Malik is one of the many students at Kaneland who’s involved with music and actually has a song on iTunes. He began singing at a very young age and continued to progress his talent from there.
“I was one or two [when I started singing], and I could barely talk. It was just really natural,” Malik said. “I think music’s always been a part of my life.”
According to Malik, he has been so attached to it that he went through different phases of music throughout the years, even having a temporary liking to the late 90’s rap artist DMX, and now artists like Lady Gaga.
Malik has also contributed his talent into his school by joining chorus.
“JayVon performed in each of the Mixed Choir concerts last year as well as the Holiday Concert this year,” Bryan Kuntsman, music teacher, said.
Malik currently has one song on iTunes called “I’ll Go Deep.” He has been creating and recording music with his producer, whom he knows personally from his church. His single “I’ll Go Deep” is one of his self-written songs.
“I have so many. I don’t remember the exact number, but I’m always creating something,” he said.
With sophomore Dalvell Triplett, who also makes his own songs, Malik will be combining both of their own unique music together.
He is presently writing some in the style of their new songs. While Triplett’s has a more techno or rap feel, Malik said his style of music has a dance, R&B, or Pop influence.
“It’s just fun, and we get along really well, so it works,” Triplett said.
The two have known each other and have shared their talents since they’ve known each other. Malik is planning on sharing his work to the world in the future.
“It’s going to be hot. I really want to liberate the minds of the people,” he said.
His goal is set on changing the world and sharing his view on life through his harmonic artwork.
Popular artists like Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and David Bowie have helped Malik influence others with his art to be “artistically free.” He said he would like to let them forget about the problems in their lives for a few minutes.
“I feel like an outcast. I don’t feel like I fit in. I really don’t care, though,” Malik said. “I love people who aren’t afraid to show their individuality and eccentricity.”
From performing at his church and malls to now recording music, he said it’s hard for him to believe hes don’t that in front of so many people.
Malik isn’t afraid of what’s ahead.
“Every moment is crazy. My whole life is a performance,” he said.