BELLO #192

What was one of your first introductions to
music that had a strong impact on you?
Michael Jackson and Kanye West. Their dancing
and singing; not being afraid to be themselves,
reminding you to share your energy with the
world. They were never afraid to be themselves,
to show their emotions.
Growing up, you spent most of your life as
a refugee moving from country to country.
How has your childhood experience played
a role in who you are today? In your music?
I feel like a lot of the people that hear my music
think ‘Wow, it’s such a mixture of everything.’
I think that it is due to the fact that I lived in so
many countries and I am a product of all those
different environments. I mean, I am super blessed
and I think it was so difficult for me to do
what I wanted to do back then because I had no
support; no one believed in me. That made me a
miserable person, but now I am successful doing
what I love, and that makes me happy. One
thing I have learned is that money isn’t going
to change anything. Who you are is who you
are. I think the best thing that I did in my life was
not quit. It’s so beautiful that I can make other
people happy. Seeing other people smile is what
makes me happy.
Was it a person or event who inspired you to
pursue a career as an artist?
I would have to say just watching the 90s, like
BET and watching all these artists. I was just so
in love with the crowd chanting and the sounds
they made. I realized that I wanted to share my
energy with the people.
What prompted you to create your latest
album?
I really wanted the world to hear all the sounds
I am able to make. My lows, my highs, my loves,
my heartbreaks, everything. I didn’t want to
leave anything out.
How does it feel to see your music being
used as anthems in all areas: sports, top
hits, and more?
The fact that I created something that people
are playing for sports and during the New Year,
I think I cracked a code. My whole mission on
earth is to leave something behind and be remembered
forever. The fact that “My Year” is
going to be played when I’m gone, that’s what
makes it special. Watching sports now, I feel like
I am super in the game. It’s an incredible feeling.
Tell us something about yourself that most
people do not know.
I have a lot of secrets. They think they know, but
they don’t know.
Do you believe that everything happens for
a reason in life?
Yes, I do. But I wish I could know the reason.
If you could have three wishes: what would
they be?
It would probably be just one. My only wish
would be to be in heaven. To be a pure soul, I
just wish to be a pure soul.
What is your “ultimate goal” ?
My goal in life is to be remembered as someone
that was special on earth, to be remembered
for my art, for being timeless. That’s my goal: to
create music that people will remember. I want
people to remember me for my music, my passion,
and as a trendsetter.
Say you could be anything in this world:
what would it be?
Happy.
What is something about yourself that most
people don't know.
I took a detour from acting after I graduated
performing arts college and did a business
Bello
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