SUNY Oneonta’s student-led music label, Red Dragon Records, has released its latest project: a full-length album that blends the talents of nearly 100 students, faculty mentorship and the unmistakable drive of emerging artist “ɆⱫ ALL THAT”—aka senior Music Industry major Ellis Devesin.
Recorded on campus in SUNY Oneonta’s state-of-the-art studios, “Born in a Blackout” was released April 25 on all major streaming platforms. The 10-track album, written by Devesin, is a genre-hopping journey—from hip-hop and R&B to jazz, trap and acoustic. The title is a nod to Devesin’s origins: he was born in New York City during the Northeast blackout of 2003.
MIC Magic
Members of the Music Industry Club (MIC) voted and selected Devesin as the 2024 Red Dragon Records artist, reviving a pre-pandemic tradition that provides students with invaluable real-world, hands-on experience in music production, promotion and collaboration.
“Ellis stood out from the beginning,” said Sam Starr, MIC’s president and a junior Music Industry major. “He brought a clear vision, and we were able to bring that to life by connecting him with producers, engineers, choir members, and creatives from across campus. This project is a celebration of collaboration.”
With guidance from MIC faculty advisor Assistant Professor Ryan Ross Smith, MIC and students across campus helped Devesin bring his vision to life: The album’s intro track, "INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES," features chant-style vocals recorded by a crowd of about 60 students who packed into Studio C. Music major Alexandria Lincoln sings on four tracks. The closing track, “CONCLUSIONS,” features piano by Associate Professor Jeremy Wall and strings by Adjunct Lecturer Marie Tucker and students in her String Quartet ensemble class. One of Devesin's friends, student Renata Palladino, helped him come up with the album title.
“This project was about more than just making music,” Devesin said. “It was about community. About pulling together people from different backgrounds and majors to make something real and inspiring.”
For senior Music Industry major Dylan Purdy, who served as lead recording and mixing engineer, working on the album helped him realize what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
“It made me realize how much I love engineering,” Purdy said. “Ellis had such a strong vision, and collaborating with someone who was that focused really deepened my respect for this craft.”
Starr said the experience confirmed for him that he wants to be a label head one day because “helping other people bring their art to life—it’s something I genuinely love.”
From Blackout to Breakthrough
Making an album while juggling eight classes and being an RA and active member of two clubs wasn’t easy, Devesin said.
“It was a lot. But I felt a responsibility to all the people who believed in me during the selection process. I wanted to use every free moment to make this the best it could be.”
Devesin’s dream is to work as an A&R rep, blending his love of global music with his analytical eye. He enjoys listening to and studying hip-hop from around the world, including London, Brazil and South Africa.
“Being part of this project helped me realize how much I enjoy both the artistic and production side of the music industry,” Devesin said. “Creating this album was my chance to show what I’ve learned, and what we can do together. This was about creating something meaningful while working with people who share that same passion.”
In addition to the digital release, ɆⱫ ALL THAT T-shirts and posters for the album are available for purchase. Find and listen to “Born in a Blackout” on your preferred streaming service.
