Junior Gavin McDonnell is gaining attention in the local music scene after earning a performance opportunity at Manchester Park next year. On Aug. 14, McDonnell, also known as L4M GAVO, will perform in a cypher at Ballwin Days. 

In hip hop, a rap cypher is when a group of performers stand on stage spitting raps together.

McDonnell began his rapping journey near the end of his eighth-grade year at Parkway South Middle School. Since then, he has continued pursuing music while using his personal experiences as motivation to keep moving forward.

“What motivates me is my story, my story is what makes me who I am. A lot of people know who I am; but they don’t know my depth,” McDonnell said.

McDonnell said he uses his music to express the struggles he has faced growing up, including losing family members such as his mother. His rap name, L4M GAVO means “Love 4 Mother.” He said he hopes his music can connect with listeners who may be experiencing similar hardships and remind them they are not alone. McDonnell said he is both surprised and grateful for the opportunity to perform and showcase his talent to a larger audience.

He credits his first Spotify release, “YOLO,” as the beginning of his growth as an artist.

“I would say just recently the highest song that just came out was ‘YOLO.’ It was the first song that I released on Spotify, and within the first couple of weeks it got a few thousand listens,” he said. 

A few months ago, McDonnell said he nearly gave up on music. However, he said his story and the people he hopes to inspire have kept him motivated to continue.

One person McDonnell feels comfortable around is sophomore Saimir Kajo, who described McDonnell as both dependable and hardworking. Kajo said he has watched McDonnell improve with every song he creates.

“I have seen him grow as a performer by doing better and better every time he makes a new song,” Kajo said. Kajo also described McDonnell as “a kind and generous person” who uses humor to bring out the good in people. He added that he plans to attend McDonnell’s concert in the future.

Math teacher Abigail Zuniga, who taught McDonnell during the first semester of his junior year, said she has seen him grow both personally and socially throughout the school year.

“Gavin has grown a lot this school year. He has come out of his shell and is polite and respectful,” she said.

Zuniga also said McDonnell has become more communicative with teachers and classmates and often checks in on the people around him.

“He is always the first person to say ‘hi’ to adults in the hallway and check on people. Gavin is social and has a contagious personality,” she said.

McDonnell shared advice for others facing challenges in their own lives.

“Always keep your head up. No matter what you come from, people are going to hate no matter what you do. If you feel free just keep going,” he said.