One KSU senior has spent his college career pursuing hip-hop, solidifying a name for himself not only in the Kennesaw community, but the Atlanta’s underground community.
During his journey to graduating college, Jaye Newton released his first full-length album, “Real Men Wear Pink” in 2017, an EP earlier this year titled “Sunroof Season” and several other songs and music videos.
Newton said he enjoys all types of music, from Jay-Z to Coldplay, but the artists he primarily draws influence and inspiration from are Aaliyah, Andre 3000 and J Cole. His music touches on a variety of themes and subjects.
“What inspires me as a musician is people and real-life experiences in the past that I feel a majority of people can relate to,” Newton said.
Among Newton’s proudest accomplishments was performing at Homecoming 2017, where he was able to connect with the student body through his message and music, and releasing the debut album that helped him become a staple in the underground Atlanta music scene.
At the 2017 Homecoming concert, Newton rapped about the silencing of cheerleaders and protesting police brutality, showing that Newton uses his music as a way to take a stand — or in this case, a knee — on issues he feels passionate about.
“If I were to die tomorrow, I want to leave behind a legacy that is more than just party music,” Newton said.
He plans on dealing with more political subject matter for his future music.
“I’m definitely super political and conscious of things going in the country, and understand that people may not understand why things are the way they are and I want to be able to translate what I feel and my people feel,” Newton said.
Newton said he feels that KSU has done poorly at responding to the cheerleaders’ protest.
“I don’t think it’s fair and I think it’s to silence the hysteria of last year. I don’t think it was by accident that they didn’t make the team,” Newton said. “I hope that Kennesaw gets more diverse in its mindset of what should and shouldn’t be expressed because everyone has their right to [expression].”
Newton’s main goal for the future is expansion. Newton wants to explore different musical genres and even transition into film and says he wants to spread his reach through the country, and even overseas.
Within the next several months Newton plans on releasing a four-song EP while he finishes up his next album, which he plans to release March 2019.
Along with the new music releases, he plans on performing several shows and working on music videos for his songs. Newton will be opening for rapper Bas on Nov. 12 at the Masquerade.
Newton’s music is available on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud, and other streaming services. For more information and updates on Newton’s music and upcoming events, follow him on Twitter at @JayeNewton.
