When Raleigh Nolan stepped onto a small, makeshift stage at a homecoming after-party this fall, he didn’t expect the crowd to erupt like it did. But as soon as the beat dropped, the room shifted to an atmosphere unlike any other. Kids were jumping, shouting his lyrics back at him, turning the space into a mini concert.
“It was awesome,” Nolan said. “Everyone was going crazy, the energy was unreal.”
For an artist who only started rapping because of a high school assignment, moments like that still feel surreal.
Nolan, who goes by RN0, a name created from his initials and a last-minute change from “RN0LAN” just minutes before his first release, didn’t grow up planning to be a rapper. His journey started in a junior year law class, when he and his friend, Vince, were paired for a project.
“Me and Vince decided to present our project through a song,” Nolan said. “He was already into music, and when he heard me on the track, he asked me to feature on one of his own songs. It all went from there.”
What started as a simple school assignment ended up revealing a level of talent even his closest friends hadn’t seen before.
Since releasing his first single “Tomorrow” in November 2024, Nolan has quietly built a resume of 12 released songs, each experimenting with different flows, moods, and styles.
Nolan credits Juice WRLD as the artist who inspired him the most, but he’s far from a copy cat. Nolan prides himself on blending different styles and making his sound unique to his own.
“He’s not a one-trick pony,” said senior Will Lancaster. “Every song has something different in it.”
His manager, Idelmar, puts his sound into clearer terms.
“A blend of rap and melodic with that underground feel. It’s fresh, it’s a break from all the drill music. Raleigh is always trying something new, whether it’s his beat selection or his presets. He’s always looking for new ways to capture people’s attention,” Idelmar said.
Nolan typically works with Net Spend-type beats, purchasing the rights online before shaping the track into something personal. As for lyric writing, he keeps it simple.
“The lyrics kind of just come to me,” he said. “Its natural, comes with time”
Like many other underground artists, the biggest challenge is to get people to listen, which has been the same problem throughout Nolan’s journey. This isn’t because the music isn’t there, but rather the fact that Nolan doesn’t fit the stereotype.
“People judge a lot on appearance,” Idelmar said. “Raleigh doesn’t look like most rappers. He’s not drowning himself in chains and designer. Personally, I think it adds to his persona, but some people underestimate him because of it.”
But the more he releases, the more the stereotype fades.
“Everyday at school, at least five kids come up to him asking about his music,” Idelmar said. “The come-up is starting to show.”
Still, it hasn’t always been smooth. There was a phase where Nolan stopped liking his own sound, a moment that could’ve ended everything before it even began.
“There was a point where I just didn’t even like my own sound anymore,” Nolan said. “But I never stopped creating. Eventually my love came back, and I came back stronger.”
Despite the growing attention, Nolan remains a senior in high school, juggling classes, college applications, and recording sessions.
“Raleigh has a good head on his shoulders,” Idelmar said. “Hes getting accepted into colleges while making music. School actually brings him new ideas and topics to talk about.”
His peers and teachers have played a large role in keeping him locked in.
“I’ve received a lot of support and love,” Nolan said. “I appreciate everyone who supports me for real.”
While digital streaming platforms have helped him take off, the rise of RN0 isn’t just digital. His first performance, the electric
homecoming after party, set the moment that he realized people were genuinely liking his music in stone. Idelmar believes that performance will be a time capsule moment.
“I know that footage will be legendary looking back in five years,” he said.
Since then, the momentum hasn’t slowed down. Nolan recently received a cosign from Jah Pool, a known underground promoter, a crucial step in exposing his music to the greater Chicago area.
“It’s huge,” Idelmar said. “We’re connecting with creators and rappers across the Midwest. This is only the beginning.”
An open mic, a collaboration with an artist from Wisconsin, and more live performance opportunities are in the works.
On December 19th, Nolan will release a new EP, his biggest project yet. This is a milestone that symbolizes how far he has come since that project in law class.
In five years, he sees himself continuing to improve, still making music, still building, and still standing on business.
“I see myself advancing in both aspects of life, as a person and an artist,” Nolan said. “Ill still be making music. It’s all about consistency.”
Idelmar sees the same future taking shape. He believes Raleigh is already on the path toward it.
“What people don’t expect at first glance is that Nolan can genuinely rap,” he said. “Ive seen him flow on most beats that majority of people couldn’t even touch. He’s hungry, he’s improving, and he’s surrounded by people who want to come up with him.”
RN0 is just getting started and if the crowd at that homecoming party was any indication, people are in for the long run.
