During the cold weather and the approaching finals week, on Friday, all I desired was to stay indoors, stay warm, and perhaps catch up on some work. However, the numerous posters around campus advertising the Underground Music Night proved too enticing to overlook. Just like many other Kenyon students that evening, I braved the cold once again, hoping that listening to the works of these emerging artists would be worthwhile.

Uncover the Magic of Underground Music at Kenyon

Collaboration between Kenyon Men of Color (MOC) and the Horn Gallery

The event, meticulously planned by Kenyon Men of Color (MOC), took place at the Horn Gallery. This marked a significant first-time collaboration between these two beloved organizations. As I entered the familiar lights and warmth of the Horn, I was warmly greeted by Antonio Gonzalez ’25, known by his stage name AchozenG. Before the performance started, he stood at the entrance, ensuring that every student received a personal welcome. His emphasis on appreciation was a common trait among all the artists. During the intervals between songs, they never failed to express their gratitude to those around them. Even before the show began, this was evident as they warmed up on stage and frequently interacted with friends and classmates in the audience.

Debut of AchozenG's "Pain" Music Video

Once a considerable crowd had gathered, AchozenG kicked off the evening with the premiere of the music video for his song "Pain". The video covered personal themes such as grief, friendship, and love, which were not only conveyed through the song but also through the visuals. It was like a moving collage where images were duplicated and rearranged in sync with the music, and actual home videos were also included. This served as a perfect introduction to the night as all the songs we were about to hear were rooted in personal inspiration.

Live Performances and the Dance Floor

The rest of the night was dedicated to live performances as each artist presented their favorite tracks from their discography. With each song, the crowd moved closer to the performers, eventually forming a large dance floor with the artists at the center. This was not a coincidence as the performers actively invited audience members to dance with them, transforming the Upper Horn Gallery into a massive dance floor. It was clear that the underground artists loved sharing their work with other students and were determined to make the evening a unique experience. The key to this originality was collaboration. There were several songs that featured multiple artists. For instance, Jordon (Jordon Benjamin ’26) and Sunnn (J’Sun Gardner ’26) performed alongside AchozenG in his crowd-pleasing song "Wasabi". However, no artist ever left the stage. While SMB Dukes (Jackson McCullough ’28), Rollüpurp (Samuel Eluemunoh ’26), and others gave outstanding solo performances, the other artists danced with the crowd, showing as much excitement for each other's work as their own.

Insights from AchozenG

When asked about the source of this excitement, AchozenG's answer was prompt. "Without these guys, I wouldn't be anything. At the end of the day, they were with me, and they are the reason I even started making music. We will keep growing together." I also inquired if, after this milestone performance, he had any advice for his younger self. "Believe in yourself always. You are the one who makes it happen. You are the main character of your own movie. Chase your dreams because the only person who will get in your way is you. And we tend to do that as we are only human. But take your time. I have a song called 'TYT' - 'Take Your Time', man. Good things take time." So, if you missed the chance to see these artists in action, keep them on your radar. Although this was the first collaboration between the Horn and MOC, the artists have assured us that it is far from the last.