Headphones over his ears, full of focus, Junior Owen Witherspoon adds drums to his song, mixing with the electric guitar and synthesizers to form an upbeat phonk song. Phonk music originated in the 1990s, and was heavily influenced by Memphis rap, gaining popularity on social media when Witherspoon stumbled across it.
Witherspoon started creating music three years ago, and has now grown into an artist with around 140,000 monthly listeners, and 5,000,000 streams. What originally began as a new hobby exploded into something bigger for Witherspoon, now finding joy in creating his music, which gained popularity after he spent two years consistently producing songs and promoting them on TikTok.
“Phonk music is kind of popular online, and when I heard it, I really liked it,” Witherspoon said. “I decided I was gonna start making music, and one day it would all pay off, and then about two years later, it started to gain traction.”
Creating his songs without many physical instruments, Witherspoon uses only his computer and an electric keyboard. While he is sometimes struck with inspiration, he often gains ideas for songs by experimenting with different sounds paired together.
“I have this studio on my computer, and I put different sounds together to see what I like,” Witherspoon said. “Sometimes if I’m looking through different sounds, I get an idea from some of them, but a lot of times I’ll try to make something and I just don’t like it.”
Using a music program on his computer, Witherspoon takes a different approach with music than others his age, choosing to create phonk style songs on his own, instead of being involved in a musical elective like band, choir, or orchestra.
“I think his songs are very creative and unique,” Owen’s mother, Anne Witherspoon said. “I have a few favorite ones that I have on certain playlists. While it’s not a genre I would normally listen to, I love what he gets out of making these songs and I’m very proud of him for going against the grain.”
Publishing his songs on Spotify under RXSTCXS, not all of Owen’s songs become popular. Anne notices that Owen doesn’t get discouraged when he experiences this, and instead focuses on his songs that become a hit.
“You also have to be able to accept failure because not every song is going to land,” Anne said. “His perseverance drives him in his pursuit of creating more music. Despite any song setbacks, he’s never let it stop him from creating more, because the songs that have landed have been worth all the failures.”
Putting his work out into the world takes a lot of self confidence, according to Anne. Owen faces the uncertainty of online without fear, accepting both support and critiques from online listeners on music and social media platforms.
“Owen has never been afraid to be who he is,” Anne said. “It takes a certain type of vulnerability to be comfortable enough in yourself to put something out there that you created knowing people may or may not like it. We’re proud of him.”
Releasing his songs requires Owen to go through long processes. His three years of experience in the behind-the-scenes of music production allows for him to learn important skills others his age haven’t dealt with yet.
“It takes an entrepreneurial spirit to not only make your own music, but to reach out to labels and other creators in hopes of getting your music heard,” Anne said. “He’s learning elements of business, negotiating, and contract reviewing which are generally traits you don’t learn at this age.”
Owen’s friends and family view his songs as a result of his entrepreneurial spirit. He is gaining experience in business negotiations and music production, which Owen’s friend Dane Pettit thinks will benefit him in whatever career he chooses to pursue in the future.
“He’s smart for doing it, because he’s ahead of everybody,” Pettit said. “I was just telling him that he should never quit, and that I’m happy for him.”
His friends provide Owen with encouragement and support daily. They regularly listen to his songs and show interest in his behind the scenes processes in order to make their support known.
“I really like them,” Friend Josh Berkey said. “I always tell him when I like his songs, and I’ve asked him to actually teach me.”
Ever since he began producing his songs, Owen’s friends state they have grown to see music as a large part of who he is. Berkey sees his success and is proud of how much Owen’s platform has grown due to his hard work.
“He started making phonk music for fun, a couple years ago, and now he has a career behind it,” Berkey said. “He’s been doing it for so long, that now, if he stopped making music, he wouldn’t be Owen.”
Working on his songs everyday, finishing one can take Owen anywhere from two hours to two weeks, which he then sends to record labels to see if one wants to pick it up. His songs will usually be released a week or two after he signs a contract, trying his best to release new music whenever he is able to in order to grow his following.
“I feel like I obviously have fans,” Owen said. “I don’t want to boost my ego, but I feel like I do have some people that look forward to my music coming out.”
Making music has no restrictions regarding age or health like other endeavors do, such as sports. Because of this, Anne is happy with her son’s pursuit of music, and fully supports her son’s creative outlet.
“Making music will continue to be something he will take with him as he ages,” Anne said. “Owen won’t ever have to give up his music because of age or injury. Music doesn’t have an end, it’s a trait that takes a certain skill set and will continue to grow with time.”
