Image by Erinn Gardner

By: Erinn Gardner, Staff Writer

On Oct. 20 Everett Dixon, professionally known as Nian Blaque, released a Halloween-inspired single titled “Out for Blood”. The 2011 Morehouse alumnus was beyond thrilled to release this piece of art, as it stands as the first song he has dropped for the world to listen to. While it was initially created as a fun piece, “Out for Blood” also serves as a catalyst for self-love and fighting adversity. 

During his time at Morehouse, Blaque was an art major and a participant in the glee club. His love for the fine arts began at a young age when he was surrounded by his family who too are musically inclined. With his father in the marching band and his mother frequently participating in theater, his knack for producing art was inevitable. 

“I remember being in first grade, and my mom had a boom box and CDs that I would rotate through all the time and sing along to. Music has definitely always been a part of me,” Blaque said. 

While music has always been his number one passion, Blaque was hesitant to make a career out of it.  In the past, Blaque has worked in retail, and at restaurants and served as a background actor. His affection for set and stage life was initially unmatched, but he quickly realized that it was not what he wanted to do for the remainder of his life. Although he thoroughly enjoyed theater, he continuously received similar roles and became fatigued with the atmosphere. Recently he decided to acknowledge his affinity for recording music. 

“I definitely lied to myself at different points in my life about what I wanted to do career-wise just out of insecurity because I wasn’t very confident in my lyrical ability. I wanted to find a job that I didn’t hate but still wanted to be able to pay my bills,” Blaque said. 

In the process of creating “Out for Blood”, Blaque originally struggled with writing the introduction, but claims that the lyrics eventually came to him in the shower. Additionally, his experience in the glee club influenced the piece, as he used similar singing techniques and melodies for the intro. 

Blaque hopes to inspire skeptics, such as his past self, to follow their dreams and carry out their passions in the same fashion that he did. He has aspirations of becoming a notable artist whom his community can look up to.

Copy Edited by: Elijah Megginson, Features Editor