Advertising senior Mike Temrowski, also known as Quinn, and packaging senior Jason Naber, right, perform Jan. 24, 2014, at Mac’s Bar. Quinn has released two albums to date, both of which are available for download. Casey Hull/The State News
The crowd roared into a “Yes” chant when rapper Quinn strolled onto stage at Mac’s Bar on Saturday night.
His music, self-described as “sunny day hip-hop, chill, acoustic harmony,” kept the attendees on their feet, vibing with the beat throughout the evening.
Quinn, whose real name is Mike Temrowski, is a Grosse Pointe, Mich., native and has been performing music since high school.
Despite the area’s reputation for being more of an affluent community, Temrowski, an advertising senior, received encouragement from his family and friends.
In the past year, he decided it was time to take his music to the next level.
This past summer, the rapper dropped his new album, “Shlup,” and his career has only progressed upward from there.
In total, Temrowski has released 17 singles, some of which are covers.
His most recent song, “Home,” is an original song which dropped this past week.
“Music just comes to me,” he said.
Temrowski said his stage name Quinn, which stands for “Quit, Unless Instincts are Never Neglected,” stems from a class lecture at MSU. Temrowski’s guest professor told the class to do what makes them happy without quitting unless it is completely necessary.
Temrowski turned the inspirational phrase into an acronym and made it into his stage name, striving to always follow what makes him happy.
Even though Temrowski has performed in various shows and music festivals along the East Coast, Saturday was his first time performing in Lansing’s local Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave.
Temrowski said he enjoyed how the venue’s intimate and compact stage put him right up close with the crowd and allowed him to interact with the crowd better.
As a member of MSU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, nearly 50 of his fraternity brothers came out to support his musical dream, chanting and screaming during the 45-minute performance.
“You’ve heard Asher Roth, you’ve heard Macklemore — now it’s Quinn,” said advertising junior Aaron Mucciante, one of Temrowski’s fraternity brothers.
Mucciante, who has known Temrowski since childhood, said he watched him grow to be an outstanding poetic artist while remaining grounded and true to his family and friends.
Temrowski plans to move to New York to pursue his musical career after he graduates this May. His next goal is to sign with a management company.
“Everyone is super supportive towards my dream,” Temrowski said. “I couldn’t possibly be here without them.”
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