Earlier this year, Weems officially entered the rap game, buoyed by a record deal with New South Entertainment, the group that represents Georgia rapper Bubba Sparxxx. Weems, 22, said his older brother, who also had DMD and died at age 19, turned him on to rap, especially Nas, and he adopted his brother’s habit of pumping hip-hop loud out of their bedroom speakers, much to the chagrin of their mother.

Weems will tell you that rap, and music in general, is his life. He wakes, wheels and dreams about it.

“I feel like it’s my destiny,” he said.