Let me do what I need to do. Hes the one that wrote the chords on the bridge. : Right before I dropped my first album, Ivory, in April of last year. While you were making "Ivory," was a Grammy Award ever on the vision board? Then I had a show that night in Atlanta, [and it] felt like the whole day was a celebration.". You know what? I felt like, 'This would be a start. "I was in Atlanta when I found out I was nominated for Best New Artist," he recalls. I was making all these unrequited gay love songs. Omar Apollo is a prominent American singer-songwriter who sings both in English and Spanish. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. He's like 67 now. A friend told me to also add it to Spotify he even gave me the money to do it. Out Grammy Nominee Omar Apollo Talks Queerbaiters & His Breakout Year. My Twitter is a place for empty thoughts. Jun 26, 2023,09:00am EDT Listen to. W.C.: I didnt even know I wanted to do fashion at that point. And it made me really emotional. Omar Apollo is back with another sultry soul saga of down-bad love, 3 Boys., The tune boasts supple bass, simple drums, and tender touches of guitar, but the real draw is Apollos vocals and his torn-up lyrics: Three boys would work if I wasnt so tethered to you, he croons on the hook. "I feel like I'm barely getting started, so the category fits for me," Apollo says. That alone is . Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. And he was like, 'Oh I'm so excited.' 1 for a third week on the chart dated. Apollo also gave his thoughts on TikTok virality ("definitely net positive") and the tone of his next album. It seems to be working. It's definitely net positive. He was like, I gotta cross back and get her.. Below, Omar tells Billboard about the making of Evergreen, leaning into his cultural identity, what pushed him to get active on TikTok and more. That made me [secure] about what happened after. How old is Omar Apollo? As the legend goes, you made a whole album that got scrapped before you made the final version of "Ivory." But its true, there are moments when people are like, Omar, paint your nails. If I wanted my nails painted, Id have come here with them painted. August 6, 2019. Talking about his family, he is the youngest of his Mexican parents . This year's nominees include a historic slew of LGBTQ+ musicians, including Brandi Carlile, Lizzo, Steve Lacy, and breakthrough nonbinary and transgender representation from Sam Smith and Kim Petras, whose song "Unholy" has been ubiquitous on the radio waves. When a cautious new fan asked if Apollo was just "another queer-baiting singer" -- a reference to straight artists who woo LGBTQ+ listeners with coy suggestions and thirst traps -- his response went viral. The hit song soared onto the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced Apollo's unique brand of queer yearning to a broader audience. '", "To experience rejection, not just from there, but from everybody, definitely was a part of me wanting to actually succeed," he continues. Like four texts from my manager Jake, my A&R, everyone. What else do I gotta do? Respectfully. How does Apollo feel to be a part of that lineup? Did you ever consider that singing in Spanish would impede your mainstream growth? A few days later, Apollo would perform his music, a mix of Latin-infused soul and R&B, on a North American tour as SZAs opening act; Chavarria hadnt yet come down from his triumphant fall 2023 show, staged at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, which had awarded him the 2022 National Design Award for fashion. The psychedelically soulful singer-songwriter talks about living up to his parents' expectations, the meaning of hard work, and . His rejection of labels for himself is seen by some as important normalization for gender non-conforming individuals. Omar Apollo Secret NYC Show Review - Billboard "Even just owning up to hard times. It isn't singular, but I think it's just a very, very important growth that was necessary. I didnt realize youve got to have an awareness of how things fit. Stream Kickback:https://omarapollo.lnk.to/kickbackYDTour starts in November, tickets are almost all sold out, buy here:https://omarapollo.com/#TOURShop looks. People do make music for the platform. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. "I used to just make music and it would just be what it was and I would post-rationalize afterward. I was very much a loner. It's the morning after his second sold-out show at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn when I meet Omar Apollo in. Thats why I really loved it. Omar Apollo (@Omar Apollo) 1669679980 When we asked him to list his favorite queer-baiters, Apollo actually obliged. Apollo, a native of Lake Station, Ind., who first found success on Spotify, was more familiar with Chavarria, whose garments chinos with exaggerated proportions, mourning gowns reimagined as nylon sportswear reflect the soulful romance of Apollos own falsetto-inflected songs. Rumors about dating Frank Ocean The rumors about Frank and Omar supposedly dating stemmed from a viral picture on Twitter that surfaced months ago. T: Both of you, in your work, seem to want to represent where you come from sexuality, religion, background, family. The Indiana pop star is fresh off a sold-out tour, newly nominated for his first Grammy award, and learning to create his next project with intention. Omar Apollo: the LGBTQ-supporting, Mexican-American Prince - Los Trending If I want to wear a skirt, I wear a skirt. O.A. W.C.: I have a big family, too, but I was an only child. Im like, Let me let me get these TikToks together. All rights reserved. It don't matter. If I want to put on glitter, imma wear glitter, you know?" So I'm really excited to see him and my mom and dad. That's actually insane to think about, especially being in I think it was middle school. The record features assistance from Daniel Caesar, The Neptunes, Kali Uchis, juggling pitched-up slappers like "Endlessly" and "Tamagotchi" with a handful of the types of ballads Apollo is known for crafting so well. It feels like Gen Z's ability to find music online, music that feels authentic to them, is such a big part of that shift. The Recording Academy announced the class of 2023 in November, and Apollo knew there was a chance he'd be nominated. I uploaded a song that day, Ugotme, and it blew up. : Of course. As a fan of her new album, SOS, Apollo is excited too. : No, I just made music about things. : And its not just about queerness. And it's just a blessing to be alongside all these names of everyone who's been putting out music this year.". Ivory the artist's newly-released, full-length debut finds Apollo at his most experimental yet, coasting from psych-pop dance songs to stripped-down soul and bilingual hip-hop in the span of. O.A. He returned to Heatseekers Albums in 2020 withApolonio, which hit No. I grew up in a very conservative state, conservative family. O.A. : You told me earlier, I think Im the best designer because I want to be the best designer. Thats how youve got to feel. Yeah, actually I am. In the beginning, I didn't even think about it. A few months after the album's arrival, the cathartic 14th track "Evergreen" went viral as TikTokers reenacted Apollo's anguished delivery of the bridge: "You know you really made me hate myself / Had to stop before I break myself / Should've broke it off to date myself / You didn't deserve me at all.". Now, he'll compete for best new artist at the 2023 Grammys on Sunday. Stop acting like you don't cry. (Evergreen also reaches a new No. Published on December 12, 2022 08:05PM EST, Grammys 2023 Nominations: Beyonc Earns 9, Ties with JAY-Z for Most of All-Time See the Full List, Get to Know PEOPLE's 10 Favorite Up-and-Coming Latinx Musical Acts, Omar Apollo Says It's a 'Blessing' to Attend the 2023 Grammys, Meet the Talented Emerging Artists You Won't Want to Miss This Spring, Muni Long Says She Hasn't Yet 'Processed' Earning 3 Grammy Noms: 'Everything Is Going So Fast', *NSYNC Remembers U.S. The song wrote itself really quickly. "Hahahhhahahhaah," he began via email, then started naming names. Oct. 16, 2020 7:14 AM PT Somewhere in Brooklyn, an aspiring Mexican American heartthrob is making his rounds. And now that fan -- and the world -- knows Apollo isn't the type to just dip his toe in queer aesthetics for the clout. Dec. 12, 2022 8:15 AM PT Omar Apollo makes dreamy bilingual soul music about his life as a gay man, as a son of Mexican immigrants and as a kid who grew up in small-town Indiana before moving. Omar Apollo performed Evergreen, along with En El Olvido, Petrified and Endlessly.. You guys all cry behind closed doors. Dealt with a lot of bigots and homophobic people. "no i be sucking dick fr," he replied, "from the back." May 20, 1997 Birthplace Hobart, Indiana , United States of America Age 26 years Birth Sign Taurus Table of Biography [ show] Omar Apollo is a prominent American singer-songwriter who sings both in English and Spanish. My real-life relationships are the ones I want to tend to. Omar Apollo responds to speculations about his sexuality with a - HITC Omar Apollo - Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All - YouTube What has inspired you to make the change? So yeah, I do think it's important and it's a responsibility to just be who I am in these spaces that definitely weren't built for that are historically harder for queer people to be in. Who Is Omar Apollo, The Gender-Rebellious Mexican-American - TheThings Omar Apollo was born Omar Apolonio Velasco on May 20, 1997, in Hobart, Indiana. View more / View less Facts of Omar Apollo. It seemed like we were both in the same mind state for a song like this. : Id go to vintage stores. Omar Apollo on Catholic guilt, body image and self-care - Los Angeles Times This article is part of Out's January/February 2023 issue, out on newsstands February 7. It was a beautiful time rave culture had just hit the United States from the U.K., and house music was coming from Chicago and New York, and it all kind of arrived in San Francisco and created this amazing lifestyle of music, drugs and sexual revolution. What do I need to do to play a show? Were you openly queer in high school? As a queer artist, do you feel more responsibility to celebrate recognition from industry gatekeepers that have historically been resistant to the LGBTQ community? I feel like everything I wanted people to feel, it was felt.". [Daniel] told me come to the studio, so I pulled up and started playing a guitar riff. When his father was 23 years old, he crossed the border in Guadalajara as well as visited his mother who was still in Mexico. Do you think it's a net positive or a net negative? It also felt like the song more likely to go viral on TikTok but it ended up being Evergreen. Did you expect that? Omar Apollo - Wikipedia "That's probably the hardest, going in with intention," Apollo continues. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Just congratulating me, doing what a father should," Apollo shares. In 2017, he borrowed the $30 registration fee from a friend to upload a song to Spotify. W.C.: But I know exactly the answer to it. Thats why it was so cool. With love.". Similarly, his income makes around $64k per year. T: Omar, youre the youngest of four siblings. APRIL 18, 2022. And I always, always know how important it is, especially to the generation that we're in right now. Yes. I wrote the song with a friend of mine, Dylan Wiggins. The tune boasts supple bass, simple drums, and tender touches of guitar, but the real draw is Apollo's vocals . I had a few conversations with people like, 'Oh, I wanna do music.' I was always an artist, but I never had any plans. His whole team surprised him with the news just before a tour stop in Atlanta, he says, and he immediately called his father a man who watched this journey unfold the whole way through. By Rebecca Holcomb Published Oct 19, 2020 It seems that whatever the future holds for this up and coming artist, he's ready to roll with the punches and take life as it comes. Before the pandemic, I was just touring, I wouldnt really be on the internet like that. And after a year, the song crossed 15 million streams on the platform. I was more comfortable with it there. And then my aunt sent a picture of my mom to her brother, and he thought she was beautiful. O.A. His song "Evergreen" went viral on TikTok and became his first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Its a work wear shop where you get, you know, Timberlands. You grew up on that, you take it for granted. Before Ivory, you had a pretty low public profile, but it seems that has changed. Are you coordinating outfits? Apollo continues to bring his own perspective into his music with his strong English and Spanish roots. Hes the one that told me Evergreen should have a bridge, and I dont really do bridges. Rodrigo Alvarez. 1 for a third week on the chart dated Oct. 15. I mean, it wasn't bad. Two creative people in two different fields in one wide-ranging conversation. What Chavarria lacked in detailed knowledge about Apollos career, he made up for with an immediate paternal tenderness. So when he does take the time to crack jokes, he catches audiences by surprise. At that point, the rising Mexican-American singer hadn't even released his first official album -- although he's had music out for years on Soundcloud and streaming services, including several mixtapes and some certified bangers among the alternative R&B crowd. It was just so crazy being with him. I knew I was going to be proud of it. I remember that, which is insane. : No, I didnt even know I was gay. It's funny because I remember when I was dropping sped-up versions of my songs and people were like, "Oh, no, you're dropping sped-up versions?" And then it started going and going. All the Singers Performing at the 2023 Grammy Awards (So Far), Omar Apollo Experienced 'Heartbreaking' Catholic Guilt For Being Gay , 32 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes, Maluma Is Back With More Hot Nude Pics for Thirst Trap Lovers, 25 Sexy Thirst Traps From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Queens, 'Drag Race's Pearl Went From Twink to Hunk Offscreen, All the Celebrities Who Came Out As LGBTQ+ in 2023 (So Far), 10 Celebs Who Have Talked About Being on Grindr, Murray Bartlett's 8 Best Gay Roles in TV Shows & Movies, 15 Gay Celebrities Who Have Major Daddy Energy, Men Who Didn't Wear Boring Black Suits to the 2023 Grammys, These 15 Gay Celebrities Are the Next Generation of Hot Daddies, Joel Kim Booster Talks Fighting for 'Fire Island's Queer References, 'Young Royals' Stars Say Goodbye After Filming Final Season, 45+ Exclusive Pics of Kim Petras, Paris Hilton, Purple Disco Machine at Dreamland Pride in Central Park, Troye Sivan Plays Peekaboo in Leather Chaps, Announces 'Rush' Release Date, Holidays Beyond Pride: The Items Needed For a Rainbow 4th of July, Dylan Mulvaney Reveals Bud Light Didn't Offer Support After Backlash, Meet Out's 2023 List of Most Eligible Nonbinary Bachelorexes, Kevin McHale Says Naya Rivera & Jenna Uskowitz Staged an Intervention For Him, Netflix's 'Nimona' Is the Best Queer Film of 2023, 15 Steamy Pics of Graham Parkhurst, the Gym Stud From 'Glamorous', SCOTUS Just Voted to Limit LGBTQ+ Protections in Discrimination Ruling, Out Travelers Michael and Matt Share Their LGBTQ+ Secrets for Los Cabos, Mexico, Underwear Company Celebrates 10th Year With 'Ergonomic Pouches', Kamala Harris Celebrates the LGBTQ+ Community With Star-Studded Pride Event, 8 LGBTQ+ Shows That Were Revived After Being Canceled, There's a Supreme Court Case LGBTQ+ People Should Be Concerned About, 'Real Housewives' Star Taylor Armstrong Comes Out As Bisexual, 'The Other Two' Shockingly Ends With Season 3 Showrunner Controversy, Design Studio Turns 'Drag Race' Queens Into Fierce Video Game Fighters, 'Glamorous' Star Zane Phillips Kisses New BF Froy Gutierrez at Pride. Apollo is poised to take the biggest stage of his career both metaphorically and literally but if he's nervous, it doesn't show. But fans also look forward to SZA's North American tour, in which he is a special guest. Now, its clear youre leaning into your cultural identity more. : When my dad crossed the border, hed already lined up a job as a cook in Indiana. Tell me a bit about Invincible.. Likewise, the episode featured production by the well-reputed producer John Shanks. "Buchanan's has been a part of my life since I can remember," he says. Leaning in an exhilarated hover over a sea of outstretched hands, Omar Apollo is radiant under floodlights. Hair: Sergio Estrada using Bumble and Bumble, A version of this article appears in print on, Willy Chavarria and Omar Apollo on Faith and Heartbreak, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/t-magazine/omar-apollo-willy-chavarria.html. O.A. He's been on Earth long enough to know how to dress. Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia before the pandemic shut everything down. The fashion designer Willy Chavarria (left) and the musician Omar Apollo, photographed in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, on Feb. 18, 2023. As of 2023, his age is 25. Outside of his solo work, Omar Apollo has collaborated with the likes of Deaton Chris Anthony, Benny Blanco, C. Tangana and Still Woozy. All rights reserved. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. 27 Washington, DC, US Capital One Arena Feb 28 Boston, MA, US TD Garden Mar 2 Philadelphia, PA, US Wells Fargo Center-PA Mar 4 New York (NYC), NY, US Madison Square Garden Mar 5 New York (NYC), NY, US He never came to LA or came to visit me because he has a family and just got married. A look from the Willy Chavarria fall 2023 runway show, held at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum on Manhattans Upper East Side. O.A. But he's coming. The Netflix trio of actors were just a . "But for people to relate to it in the way that they have been especially at first with all the trends and people crying and stuff like that, that's just real emotion.". So I definitely was hoping for sure, in the back of my head, like, 'That would be crazy if I got nominated.' My rent was $150, and I could barely pay it with what I made working at Guitar Center. [Laughs.] Omar Apollo Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics - Healthy Celeb But sometimes, I think just being is political enough. The dashing bachelor singer stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches and has a decent weight. Omar Apollo Is Out Of 'Survival Mode' And Working On His Next Album Andrea Bossi Contributor I cover music and, often, its intersections with social matters. And I was just like, "Wow." I just wanted to get away from everything. Omar Apollo's 'Evergreen': Hot 100 Interview - Billboard The set includes guests Daniel Caesar (on Invincible) and Kali Uchis (on Bad Life). There's no way Omar Apollo knew what was in store for him at the top of last year. I did this. I worked with a lot of great people in my life, but it really mattered for my career when I did it with my best friend. Similarly, he released his first EP, Stereo which was well received by the critics and increased his followers in the year 2018. We dont often see that. For the presentation of his religiously ornate spring 2023 collection, at Manhattans Marble Collegiate Church this past September, Chavarria exclusively featured models of color in lush fabrics and dramatic silhouettes. But I mean, there's always going to be people who make music because they love music. '", After finding out he was nominated for best new artist, Apollo did some speedy research into past winners of the award. Double down on it. When somebody cries, I don't know why, but I always feel if someone meets me and they cry or if they're crying at the show, that makes me I'm the type of person that is very sensitive to energy. Yeah, always the Latina girls. It is delicious when sipping it neat or on the rocks, but I like to mix it in a cocktail with pineapple juice -- it's the perfect combination of smooth whisky with a hint of sweetness.". And now its funny because its like, oh, first-generation Mexican artist! Its like, Well, I was wrong.. But do you ever come to a point where you go, I dont want to be that guy? "The way that somebody explained 'Evergreen' was almost better than I did," he tells PEOPLE of one TikTok in particular. In the year 2017, he borrowed $30 from a friend and uploaded the song, Ugotme on Spotify where it soon made its way to the Fresh Finds playlist and gathered 20,000 streams in a day. O.A. Ivory (Marfil) [Apple Music Edition] by Omar Apollo To date, Evergreen has soundtracked more than 370,000 TikTok videos, also clocking in at over 65.8 million plays across streaming platforms. There are so many textures if you listen to background vocals, even Teo [Halm, producer] is singing on that part. The 28-year-old "Bloom" singer took to social media to share a photo from a night out with two Netflix stars - Elite's Omar Ayuso and Young Royals' Omar Rudberg - and fellow hitmaker Omar Apollo. I did it all in high school and then, as soon as it was over, I left. I start really empathizing and start feeling it. ", As for Ivory, and all the accolades coming his way this year and beyond, Apollo is glad it's all been felt by those who know him best: "All I can hope for with my music is that fans feel something and they're moved by something. Listen to Omar Apollo and more on Spotify with Insider's rising artist radio. But when he got up on stage to accept his award, he reminded those in attendance of the same thing he reminds PEOPLE of on the phone he's human. Fans Think Olivia Rodrigo's 'Vampire' Sounds Like These 5 Who is Olivia Rodrigo's 'Vampire' About? Trump Threatens to Appoint 'Maybe Even Nine' Supreme Court Justices if Elected When Omar Apollo began making music, the goal wasn't chart success or a golden gramophone it was "survival. O.A. "All the people that are nominated are, too. I think we should amplify the sadness for sure. By Gustavo Garcia-Villa/ Courtesy of Omar Apollo. Omar Apollo - Kickback (Official Video) - YouTube As he accepted his award in front of now-industry peers in Dua Lipa and Selena Gomez, he opened up about being rejected by Columbia College in Chicago some years back. But when I was younger, it was a totally different story. Despite his quick rise to fame, Omar Apollo 'started from zero' - NPR No, I don't think that's a problem at all. I also had my friend Mustafa help me with a few lines after I played it for him.. These damn numbers got me over here making TikTok videos! My last collection had Latin influences, of course, but it intentionally wasnt a celebration of Latin culture. It also opens at No. T Magazine: Omar, youre 6-foot-5. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. I was like, Im on TikTok all the time. Omar Apollo was born on May 20, 1997, in Hobart, Indiana. As for his non-traditional style of dressing, Apollo is quietly supportive without subscribing to any certain perspective. Omar Apollo recently spoke to Insider about his nomination for best new artist at the 2023 Grammys. My culture was traditional Mexican, Juan Gabriel type of thing. [For] the part people use on TikTok, I had another song called How Do You Live in Your Skin I was like, Ill take [those lyrics] and put [them] on my bridge. Then I brought in my friend Tao Halm, we got a studio a couple months later Larrabee Studios and we hired a band. Likewise, he belongs to American nationality and his ethnicity is Latin-American. When I feel a way, I'll tell the whole crowd, 'I've been having a really weird week.' Releasing independent EP's "Stereo" in 2018 and "Friends" in 2019, Apollo spent most of his time in the past couple of years touring through the US. When he was 12 years old, his parents gifted him a guitar but it was an electric guitar without an amp. That's a comprehensive list! WATCH ON DEMAND 24/7 by downloading the ADVOCATE CHANNEL App for your ROKU, FIRE TV, APPLE TV, or GOOGLE TV streaming device. I can describe what I want to say throughout the album in a few words.' And then it started going and going. I enjoy knowing that you had an emotional reaction to my music, for sure. And while most of his songs are sung in English, "Dos Uno Nueve," or "219" calls up his Mexican heritage. 31 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. I was really proud of it and I spent so much time on it," Apollo continues. Omar Apollo: Honestly, I wasnt dressing that well in Indiana. Get to Know Omar Apollo and His First-Generation Love Songs. But I just have no interest. But his music is far from the standard, nondescript pop fare; it's acutely personal and specific, a love letter to his Mexican American heritage and small-town roots . : Thats young. ", "In the beginning, I didn't even think about it," the singer-songwriter admitted during a recent interview with Insider. And I wanted to start the Tiny Desk like that because I love the Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas I literally hired them to sing at my brothers birthday. "Those are forever. Ryan Pfluger for Rolling . And now here we are. [Pauses.] For sure. And on all-Latino models, Apollo says. Theres no theres no backbone to the thought. But in terms of making people cry, I mean, if that's what it's going to be, I'm down for it. Do you think your next album will be just as sad? In your recent NPR Tiny Desk Concert, you had a mariachi of all women. That music was bad. All Rights Reserved. Towering at 6 feet 5 and crowned with a punk shock of teal hair, Omar Apollo. Since his first uploads, Apollo has gone from bedroom recording to sharing the stage with Selena's widower and former lead guitarist, Chris Perez and the likes of Albert Hammond Jr., who helped record Apollo's hit, "Useless. Taylor Cole & Stephen Huszar Dish On The Future of 'Ruby Herring Mysteries' at Hallmark Channel (Exclusive), Ezra Miller Speaks Out After Harassment Order Lifted, Lawyer Releases Lengthy Statement Too, Taylor Swift Drops a Teaser for a New Re-Recording, to be named as the best queer couple in TV and movie history in our poll, both included in our poll to determine who is the best queer musician, stripped down to nothing to take a hot thirst trap. There's a lot of genre variation in this year's best new artist category. That is so funny. Aside from yourself, do you have anyone, in particular, you're rooting for? It was a crazy feeling. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: Joyner Lucas, Hudi, Khi Infinite &More, R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week:Victoria Monet, Ambr, SoFaygo &More, Idea Generations All Angles Podcast Debuts with Inside Look at the Rise and Fall of Hip-Hop Giant LoudRecords. Both Rudberg and Ayuso are in the running - with Young Royals co-star Edvin Ryding and Elite actor Aron Piper, respectively - to be named as the best queer couple in TV and movie history in our poll.