By: Elizabeth Funes/Contributing Writer
Sana Ullah/The Beacon
Aspiring student musician Joe Leon is building his music career from the makeshift studio space in his room at University Park Apartments. Surrounded by the photos of famous rappers, Leon writes, records and mixes full songs from his headquarters.
“I’ll say I’ve invested about $6,000 here,” said Leon, as he fiddles with a MIDI keyboard and various computer screens, which is all a part of the production equipment he uses to create his music.
Leon spends nearly all of his spare time filling his room with the sound of his own beats. His equipment seems to spill out onto his bed. For Leon, the music never sleeps. “I’m lucky I have a really cool roommate,” he said.
Leon earned his stage legs at a young age by performing at a number of local events. His first experience performing ignited something within him.
“In the first grade, I did a play. It was me and one of my friends. It was actually a ‘Magic School Bus’ play,” he said.
“We were the muscles of the body, and we made a rap. Ever since then, I’ve always been into rap. I wish I still had that tape; that was just fun. Everybody loved it.”
Since then, Leon has dedicated himself to his passion. “You always seem to remember where and when you heard your favorite song for the first time. That’s what I enjoy about music so much, and that’s the type of music I am striving to create,” he said.
Leon was always surrounded by music throughout his childhood. His mom was an opera major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, but that is not the only family business he is actively pursuing. Leon picked up another family talent.
“I’ve always been business-oriented. I got that from my father. My parents have been very supportive, but my father was always more geared towards me going to school and getting an education,” said Leon. Because of his father’s encouragement, it comes as no surprise that the senior chose to major in marketing.
His next step is creating his own label in Miami. With the new vivacity of downtown and a growing entertainment industry, the Magic City was Leon’s first choice to launch his career.
“Three years ago, I knew this would be the place. The entertainment industry in Miami is booming. Labels like Cash Money and Maybach Music, on top of industry moguls like Rick Ross, are calling Miami home right now. It’s huge out here,” he said.
The major players within the music industry inspire Leon. He idolizes superstars like Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, Andre 3000, along with legendary pop music icons like Michael Jackson and Prince. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, but according to Leon, he is working to develop and understand his unique sound.
“I could honestly tell you in some songs I’ve tried to sound like my idols, but after it hits post-production, it never sounds like them; it’s always my own,” he said. “No matter how hard I try, I’m always stuck with my own sound.”
Four words about Joe Leon.. Dedicated to his craft.