He grew up around its local jazz scene and listened to his mother's CDs on her car stereo, including albums by Celine Dion, Anita Baker, and The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack.[12] As a teenager, he did neighborhood chores and saved up money to rent studio time.[12] As he recalled, "Oh man I had numerous hustles ... Washing cars was one of them, and mowing lawns and walking dogs."[12] He enrolled in the University of New Orleans and moved into its dormitory in 2005.[12] Shortly after he enrolled in the university, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and he transferred to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.[16]