Elon University Students Shine with Grammy-Worthy Album Submission!

While driving her 2014 Chevy Cruze, Elon senior Nailah Ware excitedly discovered a new beat crafted by junior Jax Bohnenberger. It was a sound that instantly caught her attention. “I said, ‘That is hard.’ My whole car was shaking,” Ware recalled.

Ware co-founded Limitless, a student music performance group at Elon that focuses on hip-hop and R&B. Bohnenberger serves as its rising co-president.

The two collaborated to record their song “DMV,” the first track on their upcoming album, “J MAJOR.” The album title combines Ware’s stage name, “N Major,” with “J” for Jax, and the title “DMV” is drawn from Ware’s roots.

“We just mesh. It just made sense,” Ware said about their working relationship.

As the semester wrapped up, the duo decided to create an album amidst the busy final weeks. Bohnenberger said they seized every opportunity to hit the studio before classes ended. “We said, ‘Let’s do an album,’ right in the middle of crunch time, when every final project and test was happening,” he explained.

For Ware, working with Bohnenberger meant a lot. “I felt respected with Jax. Coming from different backgrounds, we connect like siblings, and that’s special,” she said.

This summer, Ware is one of 16 students in the Elon in LA program. She challenged herself to rap in new ways while they worked on their album. “For us to come together with our diverse backgrounds, that’s something special,” she added.

At an Audio Engineering Society summit in South Carolina, Ware learned about press kits and submitted an idea to apply for the Grammy Awards. “We’re two college students — let’s submit this. Ain’t nobody touching that,” she said, excited about their unique position.

Bohnenberger shared that they approached the submission with professionalism and confidence. “I did my absolute best to make sure everything is industry standard. Everything is top-notch quality,” he said. “I know Nailah can say the same. I hadn’t heard music this good in a while.”

When they return to campus in August, they plan to promote “J MAJOR” with fresh ideas, including videos inspired by popular trends. “We’re lit on campus,” Ware affirmed. “When we get back, we’re gonna be very engaging.”

“J MAJOR” is set to be released on August 1 and will be available on major streaming platforms.

In recent years, the rise of college student musicians has led to a significant shift in the music industry. According to a 2022 report by the College Music Society, around 50% of college students are engaged in music production. Digital platforms have made it easier for young artists to share their work and connect with wider audiences, creating more opportunities for listeners to discover fresh talent. Ware and Bohnenberger’s journey reflects this trend, highlighting how collaboration and diversity in music can generate powerful results.

As they prepare for their album release, the duo taps into the cultural moment, emphasizing unity in a divided world. This approach resonates with listeners who crave authenticity and connection in today’s music scene.

To stay updated on their journey, you can follow the duo’s progress on social media and check the Music Performance Organization’s Facebook page for insights into their upcoming projects.

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