Pass the Aux Is Building a Real Artist Community

We pulled up to Create Music Studios for the "Something Dope For The People" Pass the Aux event not really knowing what to expect—but by the end of the night, it was clear this was more than just another artist showcase. Over 100 artists came through, and the mix of talent, setup, and community gave the whole evening a pulse. Before the aux even got passed around, we got a tour of the studios, and the space alone was inspiring.

Create has four distinct rooms, each with its own energy. Two of them felt straight out of Star Trek—sleek, futuristic, spaceship vibes. Another was earthy and warm, like something out of the Amazon, with wood and turf details grounding the room in calm energy. That one got dubbed the “green room” by just about everyone. The fourth studio leaned into fun—a kind of Nintendo energy, complete with a console in the lounge area where people could play while waiting on their session. Each space gave a different kind of creative spark.

For the first couple hours, artists got to play their music throughout the studios. You could tell for many, it was their first time hearing their tracks on that kind of speaker setup, and the reactions said it all. It was laid-back but competitive—everyone wanted their moment, but there was a genuine sense of support in the air. Nobody was trying to one-up the next person; they were just trying to show up and be heard.

Later in the night, things got more focused in the green room. Dejon Paul was holding it down for music reviews, and the room stayed packed with over 35 people crowding in—and still enough space for folks to sit and really listen. DeJon gave thoughtful feedback that clearly meant a lot to the artists playing their records.

As the evening continued, King Chip—formerly known as Chip tha Ripper—stepped into the same space to do song reviews. If you know, you know: he's a legend in the underground scene, with classics alongside Curren$y, Kid Cudi, and Big Sean. It was one of those moments where having a respected artist in the room really elevated the whole energy.

We also spotted Jeremy Hecht from The Bigger Picture Podcast judging some of the records, and Jayson Cash made an appearance too, kicking it and touring the space. It felt like industry and community were meeting in the middle, and the respect was mutual.

Pass the Aux at Create Studios happens once a month, and the team also takes it on tour. Jeremy mentioned he’ll be naming some of his favorite tracks from the night on an upcoming episode of The Bigger Picture Podcast. If you’re an artist trying to be seen and heard without the pressure of a traditional showcase, this is the kind of room you want to be in. It was relaxed but charged with purpose—competitive, but all love. And that balance is something rare.