By Januel Timothy (Whetstone staff writer)

What started out as a hobby has perhaps become the beginning of a career.

Davonne D’Neil, an exercise science major who graduated from Wesley last semester, has just released a self-titled mixed tape and CD of 11 songs. The music was produced by current Media Arts major Nick Thompson.

Although D’Neil has been singing in the church choir since she was a child, she said she never really thought of it as anything more than a hobby.

“I always sang for fun,” she said.

Thompson, who has been producing music since he was in the eighth grade, said he recognized D’Neil’s talent right away.

“I met Davonne through mutual friends,” Thompson said. “I like to surround myself with people who are musically inclined like I am.”

Thompson said he enjoyed doing the project with D’Neil.

“We can go out for drinks and still go in the studio and make great music together,” he said.  “It’s good to have a good working relationship with a friend.”

Thompson says their hard work shows in this project.

The first track on the mix tape, “Deeper,” was written by Thompson and recorded in December.

The song was inspired by sex, he said.

“Listen to it. You’ll understand.”

D’Neil said she gave the song a different meaning.

“A lot of people say it’s about sex, but I think it’s about a relationship going forward or building a better relationship,” she said.

Thompson and D’Neil might disagree on the meaning of one of the songs, but they both had their favorites.

“I don’t have just one favorite,” D’Neil said. “Downtown” (produced by Smilez SP Production), “Fallin” and “Far Away” are three of her favorite songs.

“Far Away” was inspired by Marsha Ambrosius’s “Far Away,” one of D’Neil’s favorite artists.

“I had a lot of titles in mind,” D’Neil said about naming the CD after herself. “But I didn’t want the title to confuse people and take away from the music.”

The CD is available for download now on www.hotnewhiphop.com for free.