Imagine being backstage waiting to perform your latest songs in front of your closest friends and your local fans, the anticipation, the nerves, smelling the faint but horrible smells that linger throughout the tiny venue, knowing that every single person in there will hear what you have been working on for months, knowing every single one of them will judge you, be watching your every move and maybe some will even know your lyrics, this isn’t something most of us will experience in our entire lifetime, but if you ask Sophomore Ashton Funtek about what it feels like in the moments before you perform live, he will certainly have answers for you.

The average high school student participates in some form of after school activity, for many it is a sport, band, or a club that the school offers and, others have jobs. This is not the case for Funtek, he is far from your average high schooler, Funtek spends his afternoons, weekends,and any free time he has, writing and producing his own music. Like most activities, music also requires money, time, and most importantly the ability to write lyrics, and rap.

Music, particularly rap music, has been a passion of his since he was in the 7th grade. Throughout the years he has written countless raps, featured on other artist’s tracks, made an appearance on a local radio station, and has performed live.

Rap music, rappers, and the rap culture is often characterized as being centered around and promoting violence, vulgar language, drug abuse and many more inappropriate subjects, although this is not entirely untrue, Funtek believes his music is different from the stereotypical rapper image. “I only write and make music about real life experiences that have happened to me” Funtek, said. “I have a certain way with melodies, which make my songs very catchy, I also use a ton of metaphors.”

Funtek posts his songs on the popular music app “SoundCloud”, on SoundCloud you can listen to his first songs on his more recent mixtape “Big Dreams & Sixteens”. The love you receive as a performer, in the music industry or as an athlete, has a downfall, which is a great amount of hate, but despite the hate Funtek continues to post music and only hopes to go forward with his passion. “In the near future you can expect more concerts, new music and progression as an artist.” Funtek, said. Who knows what the future holds, maybe someday “Ashton Funtek” will be a household name.