Guarding with Rhythm
Michael Layne Secures Carman with His Fancy Lyrics
It’s late Monday evening and “she’s a super fear, super freak ...” is blaring in the lobby of Carman Hall. It may seem a bit out of the ordinary for residential life, but Carman’s residents are used to it by now—the music comes from Carman security’s star personality, Michael Layne.
Every Monday, Thursday, and Friday, Layne entertains the Carman lobby by playing oldies and interacting with the residents.
“I love talking to the students ... they are driven but nice kids,” he laughs. “Well, most of them… I would like my kids to be like them.”
And the students enjoy his presence, too.
“Michael and I chat a lot!” resident Laura Taylor, CC ’09, said. “I love his taste in music. It’s nice to know them [the security guards] on a more personal level.”
Layne brightens when a Reebok-sporting student greets him and inquires about his day. Regardless of his personal friendships with the students he sees day in and day out, Layne takes his job seriously.
For the past five years, Layne has had a perfect attendance record even though he commutes from Brooklyn. Although he has received recognition for this accomplishment, including an award from the department of public safety, Layne insists that his commitment is not out of any desire for praise.
“I enjoy my job. These kids are very open minded and inspiring. I am motivated to do things because of them,” he said.
Layne isn’t one to be easily satisfied, however—he has plenty of goals for the new year. In particular, Layne would like to master more instruments and perhaps play professionally on a cruise ship. This goal reflects his passion for music, which extends back to the days when Layne worked security for Jay-Z and Damon Dash before they hit international fame.
Looking back on his time with Jay-Z, Layne remarks that his former boss “definitely gave the impression of being a player. Jay-Z knows that he’s a big shot.” Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Layne prefers working at Columbia.
“With Jay-Z, the environment was very hectic,” he said. “We never knew when we were going to get off work because those guys party all the time!”
Nowadays, Layne himself is immersed in the music business by working on his own CD, entitled Cruisin. The CD is a collection of Layne’s rendition of 16 retro songs, from Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” to Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.” Cruisin can be purchased—and autographed—in the Carman lobby.