>>Even if the world falls apart, I'll still keep you right in my heart.

Because you're still in my heart.

And though the road we travel is long, I'll still keep you right-- >>From the second floor of the Orlando Public Library, welcome to Melrose In The Mix, our series of live recording sessions from here at the Melrose Center.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Jim Myers.

Today's session features EyeQ, a Florida based indie hip hop artist and M.C., EyeQ has been a Nerdcore fixture for more than a decade.

He brings a wide assortmen of musical influences to stages across the country, turning in emotional performances regularly.

Before the session we had a chance to talk to EyeQ about how he got started in music, some of those eclectic influences that have shaped him as a performer, the Nerdcore music scene, what he hopes his audiences take from his music and more.

>>Everybody snap it up with me.

Snap it up with me.

Snap it up with me.

Come on, come on, snap it up with me.

Snap it up with me.

Snap it up with me.

That's right, everybody, come on.

Everybody come on.

Everybod come on.

Hey, I come in peace.

Not to incite a rio but for all the people fighting for other lives, no matter the cost.

that want asylum.

I come to share a vision, to change the world we live in.

I bring you dreams and a triforce that's made of wisdom.

A peaceful world to live in, a pot that we can in.

With hard work and unity a common picture.

I wanna build it with ya.

Dreams I can share them with ya.

With one world and one heart, a pretty picture.

Tell me that you can see it, spectrums that build our prisms.

Rainbows across all our skies that paint the worlds we live in.

Not filling up our prisons.

Sharing this world we live in.

Projections shot on the wall I want to watch them with ya.

The winds awake your feelings.

My ocarina plays them.

A Hyrule made of tyranny We shall diminish.

Majorities mask will vanish minorities rights established.

Master no more cause they swore that other people mattered.

Till it came time to matter.

Till murder had no answers.

Emitting tills with no cash or other family matters.

Trumped up on charges gathered.

Hated those bushes planted with no regard in my yard creating holding patterns.

There was a secret passage, inside were body snatches.

Encrypted talks made of words to build a different languag The privilege few were granted, they act like it don't matter.

Running a race with fals starts as if it never happened.

I come in peace.

Not to insight a riot, but for the people fighting for other lives no matter the cost that want asylum.

I come to share a visio to change the world we live in.

I bring you dreams and a triforce that's made of wisdom.

A peaceful world to live in, a pot that we can in.

With hard work and unity a common picture.

I wanna build it with ya.

Dreams I can share them with ya.

With one worl an one heart a pretty picture.

I wash away the madness that picket fence I ravaged my toms beat.

I saw ya, trying to manage float down a river dancin and no not for romancing.

Our life line we shall define along this passage no we wont let you have it.

You took enough already.

Dead soul weep under our feet of friends an family our future you cant have it.

Corporate greed is rampant.

We stand to weather the stor and change the world together.

I come In Peace.

Not to insight a riot, but for the people fighting for other lives no matter the cost that want asylum.

I come to share a vision.

To change the world we live in.

I bring you dreams and a triforce that's made of wisdom.

A peaceful world to live in, a pot that we can in.

With hard work.

Unity.

A common picture.

I wanna build it with ya.

Dreams I can share them with ya.

One world, one heart, a pretty picture.

A pretty picture.

Together we paint a pretty picture.

A pretty picture.

Together we paint a pretty picture.

A pretty picture.

Let's paint a pretty picture.

Together let's paint a pretty picture.

One world and one heart.

I come In peace.

I've been performing at this point for over a decade and some change.

What drew me to performing was the fact that I felt as though I had a lot of things I wanted to express.

And when I first started, it was like I didn't tell anybody that I was actually making music and performing.

And I used to do it for fun.

And it kind of changed when I had things that I fel as though I needed to express.

And one day I met a friend who I thought was a really, really dope musician, and I bothered him about making music all the time, and he got tired o me bothering him to make music.

And he said, I'll make some when you make it with me.

DJ.

Let that rock.

Everybody now.

Aye.

>>Hey.

Hey.

Hey.

>>Come on.

>>Hey.

Hey.

Hey.

>>Another day inside, that's how I lived my life.

It was the only way that I could ever sleep at night.

See in the world there are sounds and dangers not in sight.

And often times I'd rather stay and play my games online.

See in these worlds I can fly and choose what class I like and I can become any character I cant in life.

Love grows inside for the stories I see.

And Im a hero moving mountains playing Rpg's.

From the slums we see to a worl unknown and I can make friends round the world from right inside my home.

Guilds form we grow, now we're never alone.

And I just made myself a family I can call my own.

Nomads we roam, playing game to game, and all the music I hear it's like it calls my name.

My life was never the same.

For that Ill always be playing and a fantasy can finally consume my pain and be like.

Theres a special place that I know that you can never define all the places I go.

It be like.

I grow from all the stories I've seen.

I'd rather stay inside and play my Rpgs.

It be like.

A universe thats filled with the sound.

The place I can go when theres no love to be found.

It be like.

I grow from all the stories Ive seen.

I'd rather stay inside and play my Rpg's.

All the pain that I see in a world that hates me theres a place that I need for my own mental peace.

In my video games all the scores that I see.

Because music is my drug and can cure my disease, to my own distant world on a cloud I can dream.

And I cant get enough of the joy it brings me.

Let it take me away and find me and bring right back to rhyming.

The loneliness fade around to the umpteenth degree Im immersed in a dream where the music takes me.

Every challenge I face for a difficult stage only prepares my life for difficult faze.

So Im playing it out in my digital days and its never a grind cause I love what I do.

And if you dont understand then you should get you one too.

I could never face my reality with nothin to do.

And it transcends throughout the galaxy and broadens my view and be like.

Theres a special place that I know that you can never define all the places I go.

It be like.

I grow from all the stories I've seen.

I'd rather stay inside and play my Rpgs.

And be like.

A universe that's filled with the sound.

The place I can go when theres no love to be found.

It be like.

I grow from all the stories Ive seen.

I'd rather stay inside and play my Rpg's.

Come on.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, everybody, now.

Hey, come on, come on.

>>Hey.

>>Come on.

>>Hey.

>>Come on, come on.

I'd rather stay inside and play my Rpg's.

>>Give it up one more time for EyeQ y'all.

[APPLAUSE] >>I mean, as it pertains to the to the nerd music scene, I've been lucky enough to have watched it grow and to watch it change and evolve over the years.

And back in the days at Geek Easy, I got to see so many different artists come and go right?

I got to see thei takes on making things inspired by video games and anime and TV pop culture, and I. I got to experience that, like away from the music as well.

So seeing like how people were aspiring to, to get to places to become more mainstream within music in general.

Right.

And so, you know, Nerdcore, as it's called, has has really seen so many changes and it's birthed so many different levels of artists at this point.

At this point, you can find more artists on like YouTube, you know, and there are so man that are such amazing artists.

But to see it go from like us using our microphones in our closets, you know, to to being in actual studios, from wanting to be in anime and video games to actually making music for these medium has has been a huge experience.

And, you know, a lot of us, that's what we hope to do with our lives, right?

I don't want to just rap about, you know, a video game franchise.

I want to be in it.

And that part of everything is seeing the difference between how people look at mainstream music and how they look at what we met, you know, like what we make.

And I've gotten the opportunity to laugh with people about video games.

I've gotten to cry with people all over anime and video game music and just thi entire scene that is Nerdcore.

And if anything, that's what I'm seeing now these days as people depar in their different directions.

And you know, there's been so much from like people gatekeeping to, you know, people breaking those gates and changin the way that this is looked at talked about addressed the fact that, you know we have artists now that have been in, you know, triple-A games is is amazing.

And for us seeing like not just I guess the other musicians but also seeing the the fan and the, you know, the friends that we've made along the way that are like family.

It's a huge community of people.

>>In the end, time waited for no one.

You see it came for us all.

One by one.

I remember in thos last minutes time slowing down.

Seeing all of my friends and family, the life we once lived, loved being taken from us.

From me.

In a flash.

All the things that once that seemed so important become meaningless in an instant.

All of it was replace with memories of joy, of pain, of sorrow and regret.

Regret of those moments that I didn't make a difference in the world, a difference when I could.

>>Take me back to the progress, take me back to the success.

Take me back to all the freedom my people once had possessed.

Maybe it was nostalgia.

I dream about our freedom.

To save the world for my loved ones I must destroy it.

All of the disappointments where all the life and hope went.

It stuck a cord to my hearts core I left unspoken.

It hurts because I watched.

My inaction allowed it.

For the triumph of evil is for good to do nothing.

Take me back to the progress take me back to all the success.

Take me back to all of the freedom my people once had possessed.

Maybe it was nostalgia.

I dream about our freedom.

To save the world for my loved ones I must destroy it.

all of the disappointments where all the life and hope went.

It stuck a cord to my hearts core I left unspoken.

It hurts because I watched it.

My inaction allowed it.

For the triumph of evil is for good to do nothing.

Acts in the name of freedom.

Privilege, preceded by th murder reported and documented by those who hold the power to make a difference.

I watched as they did nothing.

As others stand up screaming for freedom I watch the beat down by everyone in public who knows how much in private saying they don't matter at all.

Like they deserved it.

I watched this cycle of violence down through generations.

Children being taught al the hate of those abominations.

Some say were leeches.

I say that we are the saviors.

Rebels that will find us a cause.

To save us all.

Gliding upon the fabric of time.

We have created an energy save us right now before it's too late.

Take me back to the progress, take me back to all the success.

Take me back to all of the freedom my people once had possessed.

Maybe it was nostalgia I dream about our freedom.

To save the world for my loved ones I must destroy it.

All of the disappointments where all the life and hope went.

It stuck a cord to my hearts core.

I left unspoken.

It hurts because I watched.

My inaction allowed it.

For the triumph of evil is for good to do nothing.

Is for good to do nothing.

Is for good to do nothing.

Is for good to do nothing.

Is for good to do nothing.

While some see me as the end I usherd in a new beginning for this planet It was presented a plan that I created.

My might became inflated.

All values l recreated.

Devised before Christ the creator of life.

You will bow before my might.

Embrace in a new religion.

I watched you kill yourselves.

Take me back, to the place, my heart went.

Shine the light upon this darkness I have encountered.

Even if it means in the end I become darkness itself.

There will be no more prisons, institutional privilege, races, creeds, colors, genders, no more hateful division.

Everyone shall bow the villain who is their savior.

And you can hate me right now but you will be thanking me later.

Take me back to the progress, take me back to all the success.

Take me back to all of the freedom my people once had possessed.

Maybe it was nostalgia, I dream about our freedom.

To save the world for my loved ones I must destroy it.

As far as where I am right now, it's more celebrating and expressing what my life is and how I view it.

So I'm working on a project currently.

It's really rooted in, in jazz and different forms of music.

A lot of what I tend to do is I take something that I, I love and I relate it to me internally in some way, shape, form or fashion.

And you can sing it with me.

I would love it if you did, but if not sit and, sit and rock out.

You can let that go sir.

And shout out to Robb for making this amazing track.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light although they're trying to heal.

I said.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

I look back at all the stories Ive seen.

Of those I met along the way and all the love in-between.

You see there never is a perfect time to follow your dreams and so I soak up all the moments and the beautiful scenes.

In my life, as I look, for the meaning inside, all the miles that Ive traveled.

The pain and the trials.

Im still here until my end see Im not going nowhere.

If it's inch or it's a mile towards my goal I prepare.

So beware I am the wings o change that flaps in the night.

I am the symbol of a freedom that was taken from life.

I am the over-arching journe that moves on with your plight.

And I have come to bring yo empathy when nothing's inside.

There is another world you have to see just open your eyes.

Together we can change the world and give new meaning to life while making love our destiny to open up what's inside.

There's nothin that can make a difference if you dont even try.

Take the pain from yesterday we make it hope of tomorrow.

So come on take my hand and we'll travel the world.

Bring hope to the destitute lands of the world.

All the tales we create.

And the stories untold that have yet to be seen.

It's stuff made of dreams So come on.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

I said, >>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

Listening for the sounds.

Struggle to grab a hold.

Pointed up to the sky taking off to my goal.

Married all my ambitions I promised to never fold.

Though the years I will lov you.

Pre-nuptials to the world.

Hoping is not a feeling.

My life Is meant to be lived.

Seeking a sense of calm and balance that I can give.

Burning up with a passion.

Transforming thought actions.

Looking for the signs terraforming through times.

Translucent nature.

I try to keep it mind seeing though all the trials.

Ever are they elusive.

I close my eyes and walk towards the path that helps me feel it.

Tools that we can build with.

Hearts that we can heal with.

Streams that flowing bursting with sounds that keep you moving.

Calm and real smoothing.

Every day with improvements.

Perfection isn something we are so keep doing.

Fail and keep moving.

Show and keep proving and never let their hate bring you down cause you can do it.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

>>Don't let your life pass you by.

>>For all the pain that we feel for those who move towards the light, although they try to heal.

Don't let your life pass you by.

Everybody come on.

Come on.

Don't let your life pass you by.

Back in the day, I used to.

I used to work around the country and I would go to schools.

And one of the things that I saw was a disparity in the different levels of the schools.

Right?

So in one school, they were teaching them practical thing like videography, photography, you know, and in the other school they didn't have those things at all.

And the beautiful thing about the Melrose Center is it kind of levels the playing field because you don't need a bunch of money to come here and to learn skills that can take you to jobs, that can take you around the world creating.

You can learn it right here.

And that is if people don't say that enough, right?

That's amazing.

Even if the world falls apart Ill still keep you right in my heart.

And though the road we travel is long I'll still keep you right in my heart.

And even if the valley is dark.

Odds stacking against us from the moment we start, know your very existence keeps a place in my heart because Ill still keep you right in my heart.

Because you're still in my heart.

I miss you bro.

Even if the world falls apart Ill still keep you right in my heart.

>>Because you're still in my heart.

>>And though the road we travel is long, I'll still keep you right in my heart.

>>Because you're still in my heart.

>>And even if the valley is dark, odds stacking against us from the moment we start, know your very existence keeps a place in my heart.

Because I still keep you right in my heart.

>>Because you're still in my heart.

>>I wake up to all the madness the pain that I feel inside leaving me hollow about your passing.

Never thought it would happen.

One day you were here the next you were gone.

Wondering where time went.

Disbelief my reaction.

If life were an RPG Id scou the world to undo the madness.

Something to bring your life back.

See it was just yesterday that you were telling me you were happy.

Now all that I see is sadness in wake of a heartless land.

Steadily drifting towards the darknes wondering where my heart went.

Nothing that feels the same.

Constant reminders of how the worlds changed, things has been separated and scattered across in fragments.

Im fighting to gather pieces and driven towards a madness.

A pain that is so familiar I wish it would never happen, but never can we control our time to spend on this planet.

Through galaxies that we will travel to find at a greater level a state of coherence that will lead to a metaphysical point of existence.

From our dreams we emerge shedding physical composition to which we're immersed.

Cause it hurts to be mistreated and fighting for all your worth.

Swimming towards the surfac for air cause you're submerged.

Life bar is receding.

All your options depleted.

No continues left to move on if you're defeated.

Between us there is a feeling, guiding the light we share.

Helping us move the mountains wherever they shall appear.

Though the years if we're lucky, through moments if we are not.

So long as I can figh by your side, then Imma ride.

My friends I will never leave you.

Yes I will always care.

Remember me though all you feelings, challenge your fears.

Through them we gain a freedom, see it starts in the mind.

Life is truly living while leaving worries behind.

And we ride.

>>An even if the world falls apart-- >>What else is going on in the world, we got online and we ride.

>>And though the world we travel is hard-- >>Some days I miss that.

>>Keep you right in my heart.

>>But I remember I have friends.

And even though the valley i dark, odds stacking against us from the moment we start, know your very existence keeps a place in my heart.

Because I still keep you right in my heart.

>>Because you still-- >>See every day Ive been given a life that Im blessed to live in.

A world that I have no privilege to see my lifes value in it.

Im forced to make quick decisions to challenge a jaded system.

Just to create a plac everybody can have a space in.

I look in the mirror to analyze what Im feeling.

I see my mouth making movements but theres no words that Im hearing.

So it leaves me to think that there's none left to listen and I pray for a blessing to give me a clearer vision.

Im quick to make my incision and operate on the world.

Fighting for all the keys to the kingdom.

Or so I'm told.

Never stop with my movement, never stop my improving.

Continuousl leveling up and power boosting.

Ill never submit to failure.

One day well watch that sea, together we will share our lives right there on that beach.

And though I know this challenge is hard, it starts here within me building up a kingdom of hearts.

Ill set you all free, believe.

>>Tha even if the world falls apart, I'll still keep you right in my heart.

>>We get up and believe.

>>And though the road we travel is long-- >>It's not perfect.

>>I'll still keep you right in my heart.

>>But we get up and believe.

>>And even if the valley is dark, odds stacking against us from the moment we start.

Know your very existence keeps a place in my heart.

Because I'll still keep you right in my heart.

Because you're still in my heart.

>>And even if the world falls-- >>And I never forget.

>>Keep you right-- >>I will hold on to your memory.

Hold on to your life.

I will hold on to our journey.

And even though mines continues and yours doesn't start, it was still right here with me.

Right here with me.

And I will never let it go.

>>My heart.

>>So long as I breathe.

>>Right in my heart.

>>So long as there's energy in my body.

I will continue to fight.

My name is EyeQ.

Thank you guys so much.

You have a great one.

[APPLAUSE] So many influences and I get influenced by artists all the time.

So as far as that goes, that's kind of where my influences come from.

I'm I can talk about Anita Baker for days, and when I think about Anita Baker, I think about my mom and my mom.

When I was a kid she used to sing and I remember we would listen to Anita Bake and I would dance with my mom, and I stand on her feet and she would dance with me.

And I think about that stuff a lot and just what drew me into music and paying attention to what draws other people today and what things that I like.

I even listen to stuff I don't like at all because there's something t learn in everything musically.

So for me, that's that's a very big part of immersing myself into art and understanding wh I like the things that I like, you know, like, and why I don't.

>>Even if the world falls apart, I'll still keep right in my heart.

>>Thanks for joining us for this episode of Melrose In The Mix featuring EyeQ.

We'll see you again soon with another live recording sessio from here at the Melrose Center at the Orlando Public Library.