Looking behind the midnight black curtain, while thousands chant his name, his heart begins to race as he clenches the mic and takes center stage. From Austin to Waco, junior Gabriel Ewegbeje is performing hip-hop for crowds all across Texas.

“I want my music to inspire and lead people to think twice before they do something,” Ewegbeje said. “I strive for people to transform their perception of the world around them.”

He has performed in over 15 cities around the state.

“I remember my first gig was in a sanctuary of 1,500 people and it was terrible because I got so nervous and messed up at least twice,” he said. “Plus, no one could hear me.”

Ewegbeje said he always loved music, but became passionate about it in middle school.

“In 8th grade, my friend Alex and I were outside messing around, then he started making beats and I began to free-style and from then on it just stuck with me,” he said. “By sophomore year, I started getting serious and it paid off.”

He has gained a number of his fans through social media.

“When I first heard his song on Instagram, it made me feel uplifted and surprised me that someone from my school produced something professional,” junior Duke Williams said.

Ewegbeje gives himself personal deadlines.

“Writing a song kills me sometimes because I can be in the zone composing a masterpiece, but then one person can come and mess up the flow,” he said. “It can take anywhere from a couple minutes to a couple days to even months.”

Williams said Ewegbeje isn’t like most rappers on the radio.

“What I like most about his music is the fact that it is simply relatable,” he said. “He doesn’t rap about materialistic things like the rest of the artists out here.”

He said performing across the state changed his perception.

“At first, I just wanted to create raps with good beats and enjoyable hooks, but as I began traveling the meanings behind my songs started transforming to have an impact on (my fans) lives,” he said.

He has produced 15 songs.

“My music is not ready for release, but I have an album that I plan on releasing through iTunes and know it will be a game changer for me,” he said.

Ewegbeje said he hopes his music positively effects others lives.

“Having people who actually enjoy my music and are changed by it is my biggest fulfillment,” he said. “If I can change at least one life, then I know I’m doing something right.”

Listen to Gabriel’s music on Twitter @younggabrielE or Instagram @younggabriel.