For Alijah Clark, Music is an Outlet

The Syracuse star safety has a side most do not get to see.

Everyone has a story to tell.

For Alijah “Cinco” Clark, he tells his story through lyrics.

Clark’s nickname Cinco comes from his biggest supporter, his mother for being her fifth child and for starting to play football at age five.

Growing up in a household of all girls, Cinco said there was always singing going on in the house. It was mandatory he joined in, but he never minded.

“People see me on tv they see me on everywhere, but they don't get to hear me. With music I express myself more,” said Cinco.

Cinco not only listens to music, but he writes, sings and produces his own music. You can find his single, Stimulated Brain on Apple Music.

The expression through music helps Cinco stay authentic to himself, which you can see in his football profile picture rocking the giant necklace or the way he keeps it loose on the field dancing in warmups. His greatest attribute is the way he is not afraid to be himself and that shines through on the field and in life.

If you asked Cinco to describe himself, he would say he is Jersey tough. To him that is all about the mentality you must have if you are from Jersey because it can be tough growing up there, but you build up that resilient mindset that you take it wherever you go next.

That is a mindset he has taken here to Syracuse and on the field.

It is no question Cinco has started to become a one of the difference makers in this defense. The defensive back has only continued to get better with each week he starts. In the last game verse Army, he recorded his game-high tackles with eight.

This year being Cinco’s second year in Orange after coming from his home state team, Rutgers, he now understands the rivalry between Clemson after getting a taste of it last season.

“We know they will come out swinging and we’ll have our hands up,” said Clark. “It’ll be good on good and whoever plays best that day will win.”

Cinco is focused on one thing this Saturday and that is having his best game and being himself.  

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