New Town Student to Release Debut Hip-Hop Project

Although he already sees a future in music, 16-year-old Jay Verze has his priorities in order.

“School definitely comes first,” said the Owings Mills hip-hop artist. “Education is important to me and my family.”

Outside of school, however, Verze writes, records and performs original music.

He releases his debut musical project, 21117 (Two-Eleven-Seventeen), on August 17. He describes the project as “everything that I have learned up to this point in my life”. The title of his project is obviously inspired by the Owings Mills zip code.

“I’m giving the world an insight to my point of view,” he elaborated. Verze also has a single, “Cruisin,’” debuting August 3 on Verze's official website www.JayVerze.com for free download. This will be the second release from 21117 (Two-Eleven-Seventeen).

The multi-talented teenager writes all of his own music and cites Lupe Fiasco, Wiz Khalifa and Tupac among his musical influences. Verze also draws inspiration from old soulful music his father used to play for him, which perhaps provides him with his unique, “old-school vibe,” he said. It was at the age of seven that Verze first explored the world of hip-hop and began writing rap lyrics.

“If I’m going through a situation, I’ll write about it, or if I’m just feeling something that day, I’ll just write about, and it comes out naturally,” he said.

Verze, going into his senior year at , describes his music as “a college experience” because his music, specifically 21117 (Two-Eleven-Seventeen), is a culmination of his life experiences.

Growing up Owings Mills has had a major influence on his music, and Verze said support from his friends has greatly contributed to his success. He used to perform for empty crowds, and now people are coming out and paying to see him perform. He also has over 1,000 Facebook fans and gets almost 1,000 dowloads and plays of his music each day.

The hopeful artist was also recently picked up by a manager, Syranno DeBergiak, the owner and operator of Illustrious Symphony Media Group, a local promotion company. DeBergiak met Verze on Facebook, and after hearing his music and meeting him in person, he signed him in late 2011. Syranno has provided Verze with direction, and helped him grow as an artist and a businessman.

Although only 16, Verze can already imagine a future in music.

“In five years, I see myself growing as an artist. Hopefully, I’ll be financially stable at the time,” he said. “I want to be at the point where I’m comfortable with myself.” He hopes to have at least one full-length album out within that time.

For now, Verze is excited with the level he's at, and plans to enjoy it while it lasts.

“This year and last year has been a big change in my life,” he said. “From being a nobody last year, and now I’m getting more popularity.”