Crossing guard and rapper: Whizthekid promotes music and positivity on campus

Hasan Wilson Jr. is known online by his rap name Whizthekid. However, at UNC, Wilson is recognized as one of the crossing guards who keeps students safe from traffic on South Road.

Wilson recently released his latest track, “Carousel,” and has used his job on campus to spread the word. 

Wilson said he started full-time at South Road at the beginning of this semester, and described it as a gold mine since he felt it was the perfect place to promote his music. He often plays his own songs on his speaker when he is out directing traffic, and he put up QR codes on the street with links to stream "Carousel" when it was released on Nov. 20.

Wilson said he started rapping when he was 13 at the school lunch table. From there, he went on to perform at parties in high school and began releasing songs on SoundCloud, Spotify and other streaming sites. He now has two albums and over 25 songs out online. 

Although he aims to make music a career, Wilson said his latest song was about bringing authentic joy back into his music instead of looking at it monetarily. 

“What drove Carousel was when I heard the beat and how upbeat it was, I turned off my usual rapper lyricism thinking cap and just reminded myself to be just that simple, fun poet,” he said. “Carousel was just me trying to enjoy making my music again versus looking at it from the business side of having to make a certain standard music.” 

Wilson uses the crossing guard position to promote more than just his music. He also promotes positivity and says, “Have a blessed day, not a stressed day,” to nearly everyone who crosses the road. 

Wilson’s positive energy has not gone unnoticed on campus. Meredith Honig, a master’s student studying video journalism, is currently creating a documentary about him. 

Honig said she first saw Wilson a few months ago while walking to class. 

“I just passed by and was like, this guy is such a good vibe,” Honig said. “And there's something really genuine and unique about him.”

She said from there, she introduced herself and learned more about him. When an assignment came up in one of her classes, she said she asked Wilson to be her subject and began following him around with a camera. 

More than six hours of footage later, Honig said he proved that her first impression of him was correct. 

“He is who he says he is,” Honig said.  “And he shows that spirit, whether that's in his music or interacting with his friends or his parents, and that's not always easy to achieve, I think, we all put on facades, and he, as much as I can tell, he just really is himself.” 

Elton Richards, also a music artist, said he has known Wilson since they were kids and confirmed that Wilson’s energy is entirely authentic. 

“Literally, he wakes up with positivity on his mind,” Richards said. 

He said the two grew up together in Durham near some bad situations, both witnessing family members or friends facing jail time. Despite this, Wilson said he had many other relatives who encouraged him throughout school which helped him find his passion. 

“It's having this village behind me saying, ‘We're going to make sure you get a laptop, and you aren’t going to have to want for nothing,’” Wilson said. “‘We're going to make sure we facilitate this safe space so you can feel free and grow and do as you please.’ And that's how I found music.” 

Those interested in listening to "Carousel" can search Whizthekid on all music platforms or follow @whizthekid on Instagram for the link to his music. Wilson’s next album is set to release in the spring of 2025. 

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