Steve McCloskey first rapped in public at age 16. “I stood up on a trash can and started to freestyle rap,” he said. “Pretty soon, a diverse crowd had gathered around me and was cheering.”
McCloskey, a senior in philosophy, still draws a crowd. But now he raps from behind the counter of the Courtside Café at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center. Instead of simply calling out order numbers when customers’ meals are ready, McCloskey invents rhymes on the spot.
ZACH TUGGLE/THE LANTERNSteve McCloskey, a server at Courtside Cafe, creates a jingle while serving a customer on Thursday evening. McCloskey has gained notice from customers because of his inventive freestyle raps.“Many people get disappointed if I don’t rhyme their order,” he said. “I know I have somewhat of a trademark.” Greg Leach, Courtside’s operations manager, said customers have asked for him on multiple occasions.
Glen Winters, a freshman in exploration who works with McCloskey, testified to his reputation. “He’s got a legacy,” Winters said. “People outside of work have asked me about ‘the guy who raps.'”
“Some people turn it into a game,” McCloskey said.
“They try to guess what I am going to say before I call out their order.” Jess Brubaker, a freshman in textiles and clothing, even rapped a response.
Leach said he has never received a complaint about his rapping employee, but McCloskey remembered one time when a customer voiced disapproval.
“I heard a woman say, ‘Thank you for not rapping’ to another employee,” he said. However, Winters said that he has never seen anyone upset or offended by McCloskey’s rapping.
“The line will build up and people will be getting angry,” Leach said. “But they always leave with smiles on their faces and thank him for the order.”
Arthur Chapman, an RPAC custodial staff member, has been a loyal fan of McCloskey for more than a year and said that he has a God-given gift.
“He is a beaming light for people that have had a bad day,” he said.
McCloskey’s raps entertain his co-workers as well as his customers. Jamal Austin, a junior history major who works at Courtside, said his shifts are more interesting when McCloskey is working.
McCloskey said that his co-workers are always happy to hear new rhymes, but they have criticized him for using recycled material. “There are only so many words that rhyme with the number seven,” he said.
McCloskey’s inspirations include Dr. Seuss, Robert Frost and John Reuben, a Columbus rapper. He also picks up rhymes from rap and said he often thinks in rhyme.
Leach said that McCloskey knows what is appropriate for the workplace and has never pushed the limit.
“I like his creativity and his initiative to engage people,” he said. “I ask [the employees] a lot, ‘What … will make it more fun for students to come to a café?'”
McCloskey answers that question whenever he creates a rhyme.
Stephanie Webber can be reached at e-mail address.
