As the release date for the song comes closer, and the questions of whether or not people will enjoy it arise, senior Mark Duran promotes his song as anticipation builds.

“It feels good seeing I have my own music on music pages,” Duran said. “It’s great knowing I’m adding my own creative work to the world.”

Seniors Mark Duran and Malik Rhodes have been releasing new rap songs on SoundCloud, a website that allows artists to upload, record, and share their music.

“I usually sit down, search a few beats, but I won’t really write to them unless something just pops at me,” Rhodes said. “If I hear it (the right beat) and make up something right on the spot, I know it’s going to be spectacular.”

Duran was introduced to music at a young age.

“Ever since I was a kid, my father would always play music around me,” he said. “He played a lot of rock and roll and rap. I could remember all those songs he played.”

However, one particular genre of music stuck out to Duran, he said.

“I love rap,” he said. “I really liked the beat, the wordplay and the technical substance. So, I decided I wanted to make music.”

Duran said he has a number of musical influences.

“Some of my inspirations are Eminem, N.W.A and Snoop Dogg,” he said.

Rhodes said that his journey with writing songs began in middle school.

“I’ve been wanting to make music since eighth grade, but I started my sophomore year,” he said. “I met a few people when I came (here) my freshman year who showed me what to do, as far as what studio to go to and what equipment to use.”

Although Rhodes is used to making songs now, he said that it wasn’t always like that.

“I was horrible when I started,” he said. “As years went by, progress was evident as my lyrics got better, so I just kept on making more music.”

Rhodes said he considers himself more than just a rapper.

“I think of it (rapping) as a career,” he said. “I don’t define myself as a rapper because anybody could be a rapper. I consider myself an artist because I can do any style of music.”

Rhodes has recorded at school, home and now in a studio.

“I actually got signed over Christmas Break, so my manager pays for my studio time right now,” he said. “We actually own the label, but they put the money behind everything.”

Rhodes’ stage name is “2Skinny Productions” or “That Kid Leek”.

“I don’t sell my music,” Rhodes said. “But I do have a song on iTunes called “Came To Party.”

Duran has a different method of producing.

“I try to separate myself from any distractions,” he said. “I record myself in my closet, which I made soundproof. I just zone out and play the beat I’m trying to make a song out of really loud.”

Duran said he concluded that there’s a certain process to write his raps.

“I write whatever comes to my head, and once I write it, I listen to it 16 times,” Duran said. “I listen to myself 16 times because I read in a magazine that your brain needs to mentally hear or see something 16 times in order for you to remember it.”

There’s a motive for using this process, Duran said.

“I do this to remember and understand my lyrics because when I officially record a song, I like to go in there with passion, emotion, aggression or whatever I need to feel to fit the mood of the song, and not hold a journal.”

Duran said that he receives a great deal of support from his classmates and teachers.

“They tell me that I’m pretty good and I could really go somewhere if I take it seriously,” he said. “Coach (Guy) Humes always messes around and calls me II Krams, the stage name he gave me.”

His football coach said he is confident in Mark’s career.

“Mark has the potential to become a successful artist,” Humes said. “He is a work in progress, but he is on the right path.”

Humes said that artists have different motives for success.

“Mark’s passion for his music is very contagious,” he said. “Too many times, rappers pursue music careers for the money and the fame.”

Duran is distinct compared to most musicians, he said.

“Mark has a different agenda,” Humes said. “He is about honing his craft as an artist. A man with passion like that, I have to support him.”

Duran has with a total of 8 songs uploaded on SoundCloud.

“I do not sell my music,” Duran said. “They can search me on SoundCloud, social media, or ask me.”

Social media has helped Rhodes advertise his songs.

“I put my music on SoundCloud and YouTube, and I use Twitter and Instagram to promote it,” he said. “My managers usually pay for our videos and buy Vevo packages that promote my music on different websites.”

It feels good to have good music on SoundCloud and YouTube, Rhodes said.

“I really enjoy everything I do and everyone who supports me on the daily,” he said.

Rhodes has worked on a song with Duran in the past.

“The reason why I love to collaborate with other artists is because it makes your music better,” Rhodes said. “Once you bring the ideas of others altogether, it (the song) sounds a lot better.”

Rhodes said he has big plans for his future.

“Graduation is the first thing, but I’m also trying to perform at prom this year,” he said. “I love being on stage and performing live. I see myself performing for people in the UK in the next two years. For underground artists, music gets played more there before it comes to the United States.”

Though one of his goals is for his music to become well known, it is not the most important thing, Duran said.

“It started out as a hobby, but now that people say I’m good, hopefully I can make it mainstream one day,” Duran said. “But, I’ll always do it, even if I don’t make it. I’ll probably be a 40-year old making songs.”