The world is filled with aspiration. For some, music is the end-all be-all. CHS is loaded with such individuals, and it’s about time we give them their moment in the sun.

Unsurprisingly, not everyone believes the hype when a group of teenagers says they want to supplant Coldplay as the biggest band in the world, or when a girl tells her parents she’s going to be the next Beyoncé. Most of these people want to be famous, sell a billion records, and be the center of attention everywhere, at all times; but only a miniscule percentage actually realize this ambition, an even smaller one if they’re in it with their artistic integrity to the end.

Senior Orestes (Tico) Pena Casas, whose stage name is “NuBreed Lyrix,” is part of the group The Fusion Era along with fellow seniors Jason Izaguirre, Chris “Scotty” Jones and Julian Ross. Casas is one of many rappers roaming around CHS.

Casas says that each member of the group has their own specialty, and his is lyrics. Rest assured, despite the negative perception of the rap game, Casas emphasizes what he refers to as “positivity” in his work, which includes avoiding violence and drugs, cutting back on curse words and spreading their topical horizons.

The group has put together math raps, some about world history, and even one that pertains to Africa. Casas refutes the idea that flash and show are the way to go, and he finds his ground in the emotion of his work.

“The way you word things triggers certain emotions, but if you’re delivery is weak, no one will believe it,” he said.

No doubt Casas takes his work seriously, but he refers to himself as the realist of the group. He realizes the difficulty of breaking the music industry, and he is in the game for the love of it.

“I don’t expect much from it. I do it mostly as a hobby. The other guys are the dreamers,” he explained.

Maybe, but bandmate Izaguirre doesn’t seem to care much for the monetary gain of hitting the big time.

“Money’s not the goal. I just want to have the taste of accomplishing a goal,” he said.

Dreamers or not, each member of the group has their own role, and makes a major contribution to the finished product.

“You could say I’m the engineer. I mix the music, try to make it sound good,” said Izaguirre, who produces the group’s tracks.

“I need to hear every clarity,” he continued. “You have to have an ear. It takes a lot of training.”

The group built their operation from the ground up, paying for their own equipment and are currently saving to buy their own copyright so they can officially release their material, a catalogue with over 200 songs.

In reference to any controversy the group may stir up, which has happened with one particular song, “Crackhead Like Whitney,” Casas has but one response.

“What is music?” he asks.

The reply is usually a mixed bag, but the way he sees it, the definition of music is fairly cut and dry.

“Music is a(n) reflection/expression of oneself. If they say something, they say it. Not everyone has the same sense of humor, and I take criticism well,” he said. Casas would like to emphasize that “Crackhead Like Whitney” is not an accurate representation of the group’s musical ambitions or purpose.

Like a true lyricist, Jones aims to make a point.

“I basically give a message. [I’m] just trying to get people to recognize what I’m talking about,” he said. The “what I’m talking about” spans topics like facing adversity and the importance of family, along with numerous personal observations.

Izaguirre points out that some of the group’s material is based on topics that some may not understand, like ethics and morals as well as religion.

So with all the ways in which the group is a paradox, one has to wonder where their musical inspiration comes from. While Casas has an affinity for Lil’ B, he quashes yet another stereotype, finding inspiration from sources some might not expect.

“I listen to classical music. I like Mozart. If it’s rock, I like 3 Days Grace.” He goes on to cite artists like Beyoncé, Trey Songz and R. Kelly as influences, because “R&B is the most emotional genre.”

At the height of its commercial validity in the 90s, rap was at center stage over the East Coast-West Coast feud, which played a role in the murder of two of the genre’s biggest icons, Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. What do the guys make of modern day spats?

As far as Ross is concerned, feuds are pointless and he tries to avoid them, saying that “You can’t go anywhere if people put you down.”

Izaguirre agreed, saying that he tries to stay out of those things, pointing out that by indulging in those behaviors, they “all look like fools.”