Dominic Tierno, also known as NIXIN, is a sophomore majoring in finance at Penn State. He is also one of the only students who is able to say he just released a remix of a song created by a popular EDM DJ.

Tierno has always had a passion for video and photography. His portfolio shows a number of his more impressive works. His new calling however, music, has been his main focus as of late. Stemming from Los Angeles, Tierno just started throwing together some rhymes at the beginning of last year when he met up with his main producer, Janna Jennings (stage name: JAYDOT), who is also studying finance at Penn State. The two have recently started to create something magic.

Tierno says that his influences include Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Post Malone, and his own music of a similar style is beginning to pick up steam, thanks in large part to the MC’s talent.

I met up with Tierno right after he performed a show in Brooklyn, New York, and you could tell just from talking with him how psyched and excited he is about the future of his music.

Tierno described working in the booth with his producer as an incredible learning experience, similar to the way Eminem used to learn from Dr. Dre. Though he doesn’t have a lot of his music out right now, this is intentional to assure that everything he releases is of a very high standard.

“I’m not gonna put it out unless I know it would be something I would actually listen to,” Tierno said. Check out his remix of Party Thieves’ “Turn the F#ck Up!” below:

When it comes to his music, Tierno already has excellent rhymes in his verses. His flow could run a little smoother, but that type of thing comes with experience. The MC has really only been doing this type of music for a couple of months so there is both room and time for improvement.

After listening to some of his stuff, what I like most is the sound of his voice — it’s unique and goes well with the tracks he has recorded on. Tierno’s got an excellent style and I see big things happening for him in the future if he keeps putting in the work.

If you would like to get in contact with Dominic Tierno, aka NIXIN, you can contact him at [email protected].