His classmates describe him as “a cool cat” and “very swag” but  senior, Taliesin Auten, known to his listeners as Italic, is much more than that. When he drops new music on his Soundcloud, it’s time to find some protective gear because it’s going to be fire.

  “I mostly make music because it’s fun, but it’s also a good way to think about my thoughts and sort out my feelings. To me, music is the language of the soul. It helps me get through hard times, good times, mediocre times, any times. It’s always there,” said Auten.

  Auten’s first mix, “Thought’s and Other Occurrences,” came out back in March. A mix of clever lyrics and catchy music samples scored it a couple thousand listens. Since then, the rapper has released seven singles, each one taking on a personality of it’s own.

  “I’ve got a lot of different influences. Mac Miller, Audiopush, Chance the Rapper, Childish Gambino, Earl Sweatshirt, Pell, etc. OutKast is also a huge influence for me. That was the first rap I was exposed to. I started listening to them in preschool. I also got to meet André 3000 when I was in Wilmington once, which was pretty cool.  I also like jazz a lot too.” Auten said.

 With multiple singles being dropped every couple of months, it’s hard to not wonder, what does Auten have in store for his listeners?

  “Right now, I’m trying to get my second mix out sometime in November. Then, I’ll be working on my studio-recorded EP. That will hopefully be out early 2016.” Auten said.

  As a high school student, it’s easy to get wrapped up in thoughts of the future and what the next step is going to be, but Auten has a pretty set idea of how his music fits into that picture.

  “I’d prefer to have rap be my career, but if I can then I will go to college and explore some other things. My music will always be something I pursue, at least on the side.” Auten said.

The interview nearly comes to a close, when another student sitting near by pulls up the Italic Soundcloud to see what all the hype is about. As soon as he hears the beat of his most recent single, “Better Than Me?”, begin to play, Auten starts rapping along and a mini dance party forms.

  As the song comes to a close and everyone calms down, a friend asks,

  Auten’s performance name choice was deliberate.

“Italics are used for emphasis. Emphasis is used for things that are important and I want to be important,”  Auten said.