Terry Phebe is widely known at SUNY Old Westbury as a mentor, manager and media creator. Few, however, know of his alter ego: KingCasso.

KingCasso is Phebe’s moniker — a name he takes on to create hip-hop and R&B music.

“I started off making music for me,” Phebe said. “I had no intention of showing it to anybody. It just so happened that one day I was playing back something I recorded and someone overheard it and asked ‘What is this?’ And I was like, ‘Ahh you got me.’”

But creation isn’t just a hobby for Phebe. In high school, he began writing to deal with grief.

“I’ve had a lot of friends and family members who passed away,” said Phebe. “To figure out how to cope, I used to write poetry, but for some reason music elevated that sense of healing for me.”

After four years as KingCasso, hip-hop and R&B still provide a place where Phebe can let out stifled feelings. And let people in.

“Pouring out emotional turmoil or when I’m having a mental lapse,” said Phebe. “It’s my safe space, and I allow people to enter that space and understand me better, by making my music.”

As a former student at SUNY Old Westbury, Phebe was a part of several clubs that aided in his creative journey. These clubs held open mic nights where Phebe was able to share his work.

“When I attended SUNY Old Westbury, I was just doing spoken word, and I had the luxury of being part of an event called ‘poetry me, please’,” Phebe said. “That helped me get comfortable doing things in front of people.”

Phebe’s friends and family have been his greatest supporters in publishing his work, including his most recent album ‘(E)Motion’ that was released on Valentine’s Day.

“Without them, I don’t think I would be releasing any music, to be honest,” Phebe said of his family. “They would listen to it and enjoy it, they liked the stories that I told.”

Phebe, who immigrated from Haiti, grew up in Elmont. Both have lasting impact on his art. He uses his voice to amplify the stories he hears to give them justice.

“A lot of my inspiration is from my culture,” said Phebe. “We have our war stories. Sometimes I write and I’m not talking about myself, I’m talking about somebody else through first person.”

After hours, once everyone has gone home and finished up, Phebe ensures everything is ready for the next day; then allows any students lingering to listen to his music.

“We have a DJ set up in the studio,” said Phebe. “Sometimes it’s a group of four, sometimes it’s just one, just to get a general consensus of if this is going to work, or what’s missing.”

Having graduated SUNY Old Westbury in 2019, Phebe returned to campus in 2024; beginning part time, then taking on full time as of 2026. Yet working does not stop Phebe’s creation. If anything, he said, it enhances it.

“I like to be around creatives,” Phebe said. “There’s a lot of musical students on campus, even some staff who make some stuff too. I’m still taking it as I’m a student of music and learning from everyone.”

SUNY Old Westbury has given Phebe plenty of opportunity to mingle with other music artists, appreciators, and DJs as well.

“Anytime I’ve bumped into fellow staff, students, or even some faculty who have heard what I’ve done, they’ve enjoyed it,” said Phebe. “They’ve requested more music, some have given criticism of what I could try or what they want to hear from me.”

For Phebe, there is only up, only progress from here. He wants to create more, whether that is a new EP or singles, and said SUNY Old Westbury is one of his longest supporters.

“One thing about SUNY Old Westbury is that it’s always been very tight knit,” said Phebe. “It’s like a second family, everyone wants the best for you, to see you do what makes you happy, and also do good at it.