This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at PSU chapter.
“Hip hop’s not dead. It just needs a little Oxygen”
Name: Synclair Jackson (aka Oxygen Pernell)
Year: Senior
Major: English literature with a minor in IST
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Artist page: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/oxygen-pernell-audiodopeness-psuing-song.1219558.html
There has been no shortage of aspiring rappers and hip-hop artists who attempt to make themselves known at Penn State. I’m sure we can all half-heartedly name that one guy who released a mix tape last semester…or something. Well, the time is here to be impressed, because Oxygen Pernell has arrived and he is determined to leave his mark on Penn State. His recently released video for the single, “PSUing,” has already reached over 8,000 views. HerCampus was anxious to find out more.
HC: Has the response to the video been positive so far?
OP: Oh yea. People sing the hook to me on the street and stuff. I’m hoping for 10,000 views by Friday.
HC: How do you handle the inevitable criticism?
OP: Not everyone’s going to be a fan of what you do. It’s all a part of being a musician. As long as the majority of the response is positive, I feel like I’m doing something.
HC: How did you come up with the idea for the video? How did you cast it? HerCampus wishes we’d been invited!
OP: It’s been in the works since the song dropped last February. We created a Facebook event to cast the extras, and overall it went really well. Shout out to Samuel TaVarese, who shot and directed. He really put the whole thing together. There were some difficulties, though. The Nittany Lion was hard to get ahold of- we had some footage, but ended up losing it, which pushed the release back a week. I wanted to release it right before the Michigan game, but you can’t have a Penn State anthem without the Lion.
HC: I noticed that Boombox Guy (aka Brian Courner) made an apperance. How do you two know each other?
OP: He was actually one of those last minute “ooh ya, we should include him” type of thingsI reached out to him over Twitter and he was down with it.
HC: Are you friendly with any other aspiring rappers here at Penn State?
OP: Mike Wallace (also known as Mike Wallz, class of 2012) actually hooked me up with his producer and studio engineer, Matt Landro to film the video. Mike’s out in California now doing big things, making me look bad! (Laughs) I gotta step my game up. A person who I’m excited to work with is Crystal Seth, who I met at last year’s PSU Rap Battle. I’m always down to work with new artists; if there’s anyone on campus, hit me up!
HC: What can HerCampus readers expect next?
OP: I have a few other songs in the works, and will be releasing an EP around May. I’ll drop a few singles before then, though. Got a few party songs that are definitely gonna set the campus on fire. Reaching out to the fraternities is one of my next steps.
Take a listen and decide for yourself, readers!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opernell?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OxygenPernell
PSUing Gear: http://www.reverbnation.com/store/index/artist_1495638