New York Artist Cenyc Raps What Matters Most in Upcoming Single "More to Life"

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“Trust yourself – you don’t know what you're capable of doing until you let yourself go,” a sentiment from Montauk, New York based hip-hop artist, personal trainer, athlete, and father. Cenyc shares that so much of his process in actualizing each of these roles in his life is about trust and showing up. Not only is 2+ decades of discipline packed into one man, but he’s present within himself, his work, and his journey. Symbolically, his artist name, Cenyc, is a blend of his initials, Chris Nick, NYC, where he comes from and which has shaped him, and the “scenic” view of who he is and the bigger picture ahead. The name itself alludes to how he carries himself in his music, entrepreneurship, and fatherhood. To commemorate another revolution around the sun, and a snapshot of his life now, he’s releasing his new track, “More to Life” on his birthday, November 1st.

When asked about creating “More to Life,” he jokes, “[I didn’t have an idea for the song, didn’t know what it was gonna be about, I just showed up at the studio, and then kind of just blacked out and a song came out].” He shares that part of the process of creating is trusting yourself, letting go, and once you open up in that way, creativity just floods through. "Let go and let God" is a phrase he shared that he didn’t used to understand on a visceral level, but after much reflection, he now sees its prevalence and application in many areas of his life.

From an early age, Cenyc was that kid in your elementary school class, with 2 pencils who turned any surface into a drumkit, much to his teachers’ dismay. But at home, he was encouraged; his dad even built him a drum set out of PVC pipe. Through a chance connection of his mom’s, Cenyc had the unique experience of playing guest drums at a Grateful Dead concert when he was a mere eight year old. This early support led him to study music more seriously, though he eventually found that music theory didn’t resonate with him— as he learned best by ear. Inspired by Brian McKnight, he taught himself piano, joking that he still can’t read music but found his own way to create it.

In later years, Cenyc also played professional arena football as a receiver and linebacker, tapping into a flow state, similar to his experiences in the studio. He reflects how that intense “letting go” feeling has impacted different parts of his life and how important it is to learn this. Training as a high level athlete, Cenyc's trajectory embodies discipline in both mind and body. This experience and skill set also benefit his clients, as he also works now as a personal trainer for high-profile individuals. He frequently travels to cities all over the U.S. to support their fitness goals and lifestyle changes, and offers 1–1 or group training workout programs remotely as well.

As a dedicated father of a 2 year-old baby girl, Cenyc believes that modeling perseverance and trust in yourself is essential. By showing up for his own goals, he leads by example, ‘cause he wants to teach his daughter that life’s possibilities and your potential are limitless, when you stick with yourself. He shared that even when he abandoned music for a period while playing football, he always had that itch to come back, and what’s important, regardless of the detours, is not giving up.

This belief in perseverance ties back to "More to Life," Cenyc ’s latest single, where his melodic rapping delivery, and a storytelling piano melody convey what he holds closest. In the chorus lyrics, “time is of the essence, I keep close to what I’m blessed with,” he shares the importance of keeping family and money close to him. Despite doubts from others close to him, the song also highlights how he overcomes the odds stacked against him. The beauty in sticking with something you love doing, is first you prove to yourself that you won’t let others derail you, while also proving those same people wrong. As a father and provider, he prioritizes this example, protects what matters most, and recognizes that how he spends his time shapes who he is, and that ultimately reflects his "Cenyc " view. 

As he embodies, Cenyc encourages everyone to “[just keep going and ride the wave—trust yourself. You’re going to doubt yourself, but it's that 1% chance of succeeding that motivates us to keep going—and that’s living].”

Catch “More To Life” on November 1st on Spotify.

Connect with Cenyc on socials for updates about his upcoming EP, and to watch behind-the-scenes studio footage!

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The Place That Shaped Madonna Into a Superstar

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Long before she became one of the most influential figures in pop music, Madonna arrived in New York City with little more than determination and a clear vision for her future. After moving to Manhattan in 1978, she immersed herself in downtown life, taking on odd jobs, living in modest East Village apartments, and spending countless nights in the clubs that helped shape the city's creative scene. Those formative years laid the foundation for a career that would redefine popular music, earning her multiple Grammy Awards and inspiring generations of artists.

Few people have documented that chapter of Madonna's life as extensively as Matthew Rettenmund, widely recognized by fans as "Encyclopedia Madonnica." Through years of research and writing, the author has chronicled the singer's New York journey in remarkable detail. With excitement building around Madonna's forthcoming album Confessions II and her 11th Interview magazine cover, Rettenmund revisits the places that played a pivotal role in her rise, guiding readers through the landmarks that helped shape the legend of the Queen of Pop.

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232 E. 4TH STREET

232 E. 4th Street

“Madonna’s first NYC apartment where she lived on her own. She also lived at 102 E. 4th.”

102 E. 4th.

 
 

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599 BROADWAY

599 Broadway

“Former site of Chase Park, advertised as Madonna’s first NYC appearance in October 1981.”

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119 2ND AVENUE

119 2nd Avenue

“Former site of Love Saves the Day from Desperately Seeking Susan.”

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213 PARK AVENUE SOUTH213 Park Ave. South (between 17th and 18th Avenues)

“Former site of Max’s Kansas City. In 1981, she was advertised for the first time as ‘Madonna.'”

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30B CARMINE STREET

30B Carmine St. (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

“Former site of Vinyl Mania, a record store where Madonna did her first (and one of her only) in-store album signings for her first album Madonna on August 26, 1983.”

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542 LAGUARDIA PLACE

542 LaGuardia Place

“Site of Keith Haring’s last home in which he died. Madonna and other intimates gathered here shortly before his death from AIDS to bid him farewell.”

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30 W. 21ST

30 W. 21st

“Former site of Danceteria, the legendary club where Madonna met her friend Debi Mazar running the elevator and handed her demo to DJ Mark Kamins. Also where a key dancing scene in Desperately Seeking Susan was filmed. The place is so vital to her history she is releasing a song called ‘Danceteria.’ She said in 2021 it’s the club she most misses.”

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515 W. 18TH STREET

515 W. 18th St.

“Former site of the Roxy. Madonna frequented the joint and performed in 1983. It is also where her first-ever magazine cover was launched (also 1983), Island. In 1998, she gave a legendary late-night performance to promote Ray of Light, and returned in 2005 to plug Confessions on a Dance Floor with Stuart Price.”

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210 TENTH AVENUE

210 Tenth Ave, Empire Diner

“Empire Diner, where part of Bad Girl was shot.”

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584 EIGHT AVENUE

584 Eighth Ave

“The Music Building, where Madonna rehearsed with her first group, the Breakfast Club, in an early incarnation, and where she occasionally lived. She took Kurt Loder on a tour of the place in 1998, and just this past month did a promo with Bilt to pay rentals for people working there.”

584 Eighth Ave

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TIME SQUARE

Time Square

“Where Madonna was dropped off by a cabbie upon her arrival in NYC in 1978. Also the site of her Who’s That Girl movie premiere, as well as her 2026 TSX Confessions II pop-up concert.”

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242 W. 45TH

242 W. 45th

“Royale Theatre, now the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, where Madonna starred for months in Speed-the-Plow.”

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201 W. 46TH

201 W. 46th

 “Former site of The Gaiety, the gay strip club that appears in her Sex book.”

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141 W 54TH

141 W 54th

“Ziegfeld Theater, where Truth or Dare (1991), A League of Their Own (1992) and W.E. (2011) premiered.”

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254 W 54TH

254 W 54th

“Studio 54, where Madonna often performed past midnight and where—in the basement area now known as 54 Below—she did some of the vocals for Erotica.”

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1697 BROADWAY

1697 Broadway

“Ed Sullivan Theater, where Madonna visited David Letterman and, in 2005, rode a horse down W. 53rd.”

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2 E. 55TH

2 E. 55th

“St. Regis Hotel, where Steven Meisel—with Maripol as stylist—shot Madonna’s iconic Like a Virgin album cover.”

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1 W. 64TH / 41 CENTRAL PARK WEST

1 W. 64th / 41 Central Park West

“Harperley Hall. Site of the apartment Madonna bought in 1985 after being rejected by the co-op board of the San Remo (145-146 Central Park West). Eventually renovated it until it was a 6,000-square-foot unit on two floors. Her brother Christopher Ciccone decorated it. It sold for $19 million.”

Harperley Hall. Site of the apartment Madonna bought in 1985 after being rejected by the co-op board of the San Remo (145-146 Central Park West). Eventually renovated it until it was a 6,000-s.f. unit on two floors. Brother Christopher Ciccone decorated it. Sold for $19M.

 

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