Tatiana Zaragosa

“I’m literally a reflection of myself [in] my music a lot of the time. I feel like I’m telling stories where I’m creating characters sometimes,” Brennan Martin said. “I really enjoy writing. Most times it’s coming from me. But sometimes I do lean into character building as well.”

Inspired by the work ethic of Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator, California Lutheran University senior Brennan Martin, also known as “Breeezy5,” is an emerging artist in the hip-hop scene. 

Originally from San Diego, Martin said he started taking his love for music seriously once he began producing at the end of his junior year of high school. 

“I had GarageBand on my original computer,” Martin said. “The beats were not good, but I was just learning how to use it … and then [my music] kind of grew into what it is now.” 

Martin said Cal Lutheran’s music production program and its proximity to Los Angeles influenced his decision to attend and expand on his craft. 

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to go to college for, but I was already making music on the side and [that] was just something I was kind of doing for fun,” Martin said. “Seeing that there was a program where I could actually get better at what I was doing and what I was genuinely interested in. I was like, ‘Oh, I definitely have to come here.’”

Since 2023, Martin has released 16 singles, a full-length album, and two extended plays on streaming platforms Apple Music and Spotify. He has also dropped extra songs on his SoundCloud.

Martin said Scott and Tyler are “super inspirational” to him and his music, as similar technique and production can be found in his own work and can relate to their overall passion.

“I lean more into the Travis [Scott] influence, vocally. I’m very into the whole autotune rapping and the melodies that Travis Scott has … listening to his projects has been very influential,” Martin said. “I like how much time Tyler puts on his beats because it feels like not only is he telling a story, but it’s like the production is influencing that story and it’s kind of making the story more impactful.”

Over the summer, Martin said he began working on his latest release, “BLISS.” The EP was released on Oct. 24 and consists of five songs.

“I wanted to put out better quality music from what I had put out in the past,” Martin said. “That was probably one of the main goals that I had when working on this project.”

Mark Spraggins, chair of the Music Department and program director for Music Production at Cal Lutheran, said he has had Martin as a student in his classes. Spraggins said he tells his students to put their music on streaming platforms and social media. 

“You can be creating the most amazing music in the world, but if nobody’s hearing it, then it might as well not exist. So students, getting their music out on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube [and] using social media to promote themselves,” Spraggins said. 

Throughout his time at Cal Lutheran, Martin has performed at a variety of campus events including Black Student Union’s Soul Fest earlier this year and Mic Check, a recurring music showcase organized by local artists since 2023.

On Oct. 31, Martin headlined and hosted the Halloween edition of Mic Check. The hip-hop and alternative concert consisted of performances by current and former Cal Lutheran students and special guests, KIDS NXT DOOR and J3mob.

Fellow performer and Mic Check founder Lothario Parris ‘23, performed in this year’s showcase. As an artist, producer, and friend of Martin, he said the two have collaborated on several projects including songs from Martin’s album “Go Left, I’m Going Right” and his singles “Goyard” and “Mario Kart.”

“We have stuff dating back from 2023 till now,” Parris said. “We got a couple songs scattered across his albums. Nothing on my music side yet, but it’s coming though for sure.” 

Parris said he has learned from Martin to stay “pushing the boundaries.” 

“I’m a very realistic person. I like to stay inside the boundaries of what is obtainable but he really pushes me to try these things and even if it may obviously be a ‘No,’” Parris said. “He just teaches me to keep on pushing the boundaries, honestly. I thank him for that.” 

Spraggins said he encourages collaboration among students since it’s enjoyable, and when interacting with others, there’s a shared creativity.

“The outcome of that can be greater than the sum of the parts. But it also can open up new opportunities for you,” Spraggins said. “So the more people you collaborate with, and the bigger your network is, the more opportunities that might come up because [of] somebody you’ve worked with.” 

Senior Justin Duverge Jimenez, a songwriter, rapper and friend of Martin, said he has also learned from Martin to be more “self-assured.” 

“He’s definitely given me advice on trying to push through and just trying to make music instead of just focusing on anything else,” Duverge Jimenez said. “I guess being more confident in the way that I approach music and just being more self-assured when it comes to that.” 

Sophomore Ethan Addom, also known by his stage name, “Apollo,” is another producer and friend of Martin. Addom said he will take inspiration from Martin once he starts singing and rapping in his music. 

“If I were to ever start making my own [songs], start singing, rapping type of thing, I feel like he’s someone I take inspiration from in a way,” Addom said. “I’d see him, like, come up with his flows, stuff like that, and I’d like [to] try and go that type of route.” 

 Navar Else-Boss, a senior and multimedia major, said he helps Martin with graphic design for his album covers. Through his time working with Martin, he said he has developed a friendship and believes Martin will make it big in the music industry. 

“He’s going to leave his imprint and inspire the next people to come,” Else-Boss said.