Nyack Gets Rap Ode, Music Video

Marquis Julien may be California born, but his heart is set firmly in his new hometown, Nyack.

If there's any doubt, the above music video—"I Love Nyack"—will promptly dispel it.

The Jawonio employee and life-long musician penned an ode to the river village recently, releasing it on YouTube to over 6,000 viewers and performing it locally. The music video accompanies Julien through a day in the village, with stops at Veterans Park and the waterfront, and sly allusions to local businesses and the seasonal Streetfairs.

Julien's commitment to Jawonio, the Rockland non-profit that serves adults and children with disabilities, is strengthened by his family life—his brother back in California has autism. Julien is keen to explain how his family, his calling and his music all fit together.

"God has blessed me with the opportunity to give back to others while keeping the memories of my brother alive daily," he said. "I believe that once I am able to live with him again, the experiences I have gained over the past two years will help me to give him the best life experiences possible. Life is a gift and its presents lie within the people who live it."

"I have been granted the ability to share my life through music which allows others to connect with me," Julien added. "What I love most about that is that my intimate experience through music helps me build family every time I perform because my immediate family is what I truly miss in my current life."