HES GOT THE MAGIC Ian Johnson (12), otherwise known as IanJ, performs a freestyle to the song Magic

c by B.O.B. at the Red/White Week pep rally with the winners of Ramstock, GoodLuck Joseph. When I did that pep rally, I had never talked about it to my teachers at all so the next day I came to school and they were like, You make music?, Johnson said. Photo by Seth Fisher

Its crazy how music has changed my life. I went from recording a mix tape in my best friend Cal Handmakers basement, to recording records with nominated Chicago Producer of the Year, Nael Shehade. A year ago, I never would have imagined myself boarding plane flights to headline concerts in places as far away as L.A., Vermont and North Carolina. However, all of this came from the support of the people closest to me. Its funny. I have fans in places as far away as Germany, England and Ireland, but I still care most about what the people around me think about my music. I remember sophomore year, Jake Mcnair (12) got ahold of a freestyle I had recorded for fun. He came up to me the next day and told me I needed to start recording. Its one of the weirder situations. I dont talk about [my music] a crazy amount in school so I think that reflects. Ive kind of separated those two worlds. I feel like its been a good gain; weve built a really good fan base so far for what Ive done and what Ive put into it. You need more than just raplogically everybody can rap. I used to be so against the idea of making pop music because society views it as not original and not organic. When I create new music, the first people I show are the kids who have supported me from day one. Showing them the music is the best part of what I get to do. I receive the tracks from my producer, forward them over to my manager Kris Linney, who lives in Chicago, and then show them to the boys. Cal Handmaker, Scott Englert, Kyndl Woodlee, Richard Ballard and Adam Pierce. These are the guys who I trust when it comes to playing my music and getting feedback. Music has definitely become a huge part of my life. Im getting the opportunity to work with incredible musicians, and this is really just the start. My future goals are set high very high, and the team I have working with me is so dedicated to making this whole music thing happen. Having people believe in you is all that matters. Im so thankful for everyone who supports me.

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Among the cacophony of band, orchestra, and vocal majors were students whose passion for music drove them to produce a higher quality sound, independent from the walls of Manual going from music replicators to music makers. Continued on page 10.
Student Life Music 009

Ian Johnson (12)

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