They call themselves Demonlow Studios.

They are young artists and entrepreneurs who came together to bring music to Staten Island.

"There's not really a studio we can rely on to go do our thing,” said co-founder Dennis Richardson. “In terms of the community, it's really for them to have a place that they feel comfortable to have a place to express themselves through music, through art.”

What You Need To Know

  • Demonlow Studios is a group of young artists and entrepreneurs

  • A founder, Jahade Chancey, was shot and killed at the studio on Van Duzer Street

  • The group wants to open a new studio and inspire others

"Family vibe, just all one with a little bit of rage in it you feel me? Demonlow is for the people” said co-founder Sonny D’usse. 

To this group, music and community go together. In the summer, they helped organize a Black Lives Matter rally on Hylan Boulevard that brought out over 10,000 people. And they put together a toy drive during the holidays.

“We felt really good that we were able to motivate and help people come out and support and share a voice,” said Richardson.

Richardson said it’s all about being a positive influence on the community.

"Where we come from there's not a lot of positive motivation. Us being able to show people that can connect to us that we're giving them a chance to see they can do things differently,” Richardson explained.

That became even more important when a member of their Demonlow family was shot and killed at the studio on Van Duzer Street.

In January, Richardson and others were together at the studio when an unidentified gunman entered and killed 23-year-old Jahade Chancey.

"That day, January 16, went from an ordinary day to one of the worst days of our lives,” said Richardson. 

Jahade’s family and friends called him "panda."

"What the animal symbols, it all makes sense, a loving creature, one of a kind. It fits him well,” said Richardson. 

Jahade’s mother, Lashon Stockton said it is still too hard for her to speak about her son. She sent NY1 a letter saying, “Jahade would help the elderly, volunteer for youth programs, everything to support individuals. My son loved entertaining. His heart and soul was good."

An investigation into Jahade's death is underway. There have been no arrests and the studio has been closed ever since. It was hard for members to be there. For now, they work out of their homes and plan to open another location soon.

"After something so tragic we can still keep going, we can still try to push forward and do more things. It may give people a lot of inspiration by opening a studio. If we could just help a few kids, maybe change their perspective on how they’re living, how they’re moving, we’ll take that” said Richardson.

Richardson and the rest of Demonlow say they vow to make the studio a success in honor of their friend.