As a local hip-hop collective spreads through Gainesville’s underground music scene, the six members balance writing, promoting and school to work toward the goal of reaching new fans.
Late Nights Early Mornings entertainment group assembled about three years ago. These heralds of hip-hop tote their musical equipment around campus during football games and events and randomly throw makeshift concerts among large crowds of college students to expand their fan base.
“Our work is relevant to Gainesville’s scene because people may see us walking around campus and performing at a local venue all in the same day,” member Nicholas Swain said.
Swain, 22, is a hip-hop artist and UF telecommunication senior known by his performing alias, Ya Boy Nick Swain. He has been writing music for about nine years.
As a full-time student and full-time musician, Swain maintains his hectic agenda with diligence and dedication. He said school and music take up all of his time now, but he will graduate in December and focus on his music afterward.
“You’ll catch me writing music in class and doing homework in between songs,” Swain said. “I try to keep those aspects of my life separated, but sometimes the line between them is blurred.”
Dylan Jones, one of two producers signed to LNEM, also balances music and school as he produces beats and attends Santa Fe College as a business administration senior.
The 22-year-old has been producing music for about six years and worked with about 50 artists. He continues to improve his work by composing beats every day.
“After graduating from school, I want music to be my career,” he said. “I want to be an audio engineer owning a studio and touring the world.”
The group maintains a young sound to reflect who they are.
“We are all students and student-aged,” said LNEM president Jonathan Seays. “The music that we put out and the ways we present it is a reflection of that.”
Seays, 23, has been involved in the music business since 2009. He was inspired by popular rapper and entrepreneur Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter to start his own record label.
“Our name, Late Nights Early Mornings, defines hard work ethic and the fun of possessing youthful energy,” Seays said.
