'Give up,' 'kill yourself,' Nakuu's York High classmates told him. His music is now on MTV

In 2011, 15-year-old musician Terrell Bryant, stage name Nakuu, distributed his CDs to classmates at William Penn High School, hopeful that his peers might embrace his music.

The result, however, was anything but positive.

As he made his way into the hallway after a class period switch, Nakuu witnessed his carefully crafted CDs scattered all over the floor.

“It felt like a movie scene – it was crazy,” he said.

The scene turned into a nightmare, as Nakuu was handed one of his CDs with handwritten messages saying, “give up” and “kill yourself.”

The young music artist said it felt like his whole world came crashing down, though he didn’t let this shatter his confidence. Instead, he was tenacious, using the hate as fuel, determined to keep going.

“I had good people in my support system that kept me going and kept me motivated. Without them, I probably wouldn’t have seen the success that I’ve seen,” Nakuu said.

Without family and close friends who inspired Nakuu to continue working towards his dream, he said he would have given up.

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'One thing led to another'

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Nakuu watched his parents, Jason and Carman Bryant, from a young age, making music and performing in an American R&B and electro-funk group called the S.O.S Band.

His parents were his musical influences growing up, as well as music artists Chris Brown and Philly singer PnB Rock, who Nakuu was able to tour with before Rock's tragic death last year. They inspired the York singer’s sound and musical style.

In high school, his R&B-inspired songs were inspired by and rooted in pain and heartbreak.

“I had a lot of heartbreak in high school, and the best music comes from pain and experiences you go through,” Nakuu said.

One of his songs, “Depression,” has a special place in his heart.

“People told me that song alone stopped them from suicide and helped them get out of the deep hole they were in,” Nakuu said.

Hearing how his music was helping people motivated Nakuu and took his career to lengths he never expected.

During the week of his senior year graduation, the York singer went on his first week-long tour called the Unknown Tour.

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“After high school, I met a management team (Early Management Team) that took me to the next level,” Nakuu said.

Through signing with this team, Nakuu said he was able to meet PnB Rock, and later went on a six-show tour with him.

Following that tour, Nakuu met Freeway Ricky Ross, who helped land the young talent TV and blog interviews.

"One thing led to another, but it was a lot of work," he said.

Now, at 26, the York City artist has switched over to an upbeat sound – rock.

“I wanted to do something different, and I found what I wanted to do,” he said.

His most recent tune, “We outside,” is an upbeat party song that Nakuu said is all about being with the people you love.

The song has been so well received that it’s currently being featured on MTV, soon to be available on other music streaming platforms as well.

A message to those being bullied: 'Stand your ground'

Nakuu said that if he didn't believe in himself and work toward his dreams he would have never come as far as he has.

"You're going to have people that don't support you, and people that do support you - just worry about the people that do support you."

His advice is for people being told they won't succeed or go far is to stand by the people in your support system.

"Stick with the people who are in your corner, use them as your motivation to keep moving forward," he added "Stand your ground and keep doing you."

Nakuu believes the negative moments are temporary and life does turn around.

“Now it’s at a point where the same people who were throwing my CDs on the floor and calling me names – they're the ones giving me shoutouts. It’s a whole turnaround.”

Lena Tzivekis is a Central pa reporter. Email her at etzivekis@gannett.com or message her on Twitter at @tzivekis

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Once told to kill himself York, Pa. singer Nakuu lands music on MTV