Adam Kostylo didn’t intend to be a rapper, but thanks to his adeptness at expressing his love for his island home, he’s become very much an artist in development.
Kostylo (pronounced "Costello") is finding his way to what could be a promising career in music. The 2011 Kaiser High School grad is a sophomore at the liberal arts Chapman University in Orange, Calif., where he’s working toward a bachelor’s degree, majoring in creative producing in film with a minor in Spanish.
Kostylo, 19, has already established an online presence. He’s released two mix-tape volumes of "Undergrad," available at datpiff.com, and his AdamKostyloMusic channel on YouTube features his music videos, including the one that broke through to a local audience: the easy-flowing "Hawaii."
There is an earlier video posting on the channel of "Hawaii," made in March 2012, with Kostylo rapping over the backing track, that was broadcast live on chapmanradio.com.
"I was homesick during my first semester in college, and I had originally wrote the song the summer before going to Chapman," he said. "Growing up in Hawaii has had a huge impact on my character and humility in the way of treating others with aloha. I was always into poetry, so I had a lot to say while reflecting on the things I love about the islands."
The official "Hawaii" music video went online in August, produced by 1013 Integrated (formerly Pacific Focus). It’s Kostylo’s most popular video, garnering more than 14,000 views.
"It’s a video interpretation of my lyrics. I wanted to show my version of Hawaii and the people I hang out with. I talk about catching waves at Sandy’s, slowing down in Waimanalo, all the places that are not ‘tourist-y.’"
His interest in music started when he was a senior at Kaiser High School and did a couple of songs at his friend Aaron Collins’ home at Hickam. "He made his own beats, and he sparked a lot of ideas in me. Even though he’s since moved to Florida, he still sends me beats every now and then."
The popularity of "Hawaii" has given Kostylo some hope about a future in music, although he admits "it’s up in the air. Besides going to school, I’m working part time in the concession at a local movie theater.
"Still, my friends have told me, ‘Dude, I had no idea. This is sick!’ Taking one look at me, you’d have no idea I could do hip-hop. But people like what I do, and it’s enough to have sparked an interest."
One highlight so far was opening for well-known rapper and actor Ice Cube at an Anaheim nightclub.
"I’m just making music as I go to school," Kostylo said. "I’m trying my best to promote myself without being annoying. I want to share what I make, what I produce, and see what happens."
