Omar Apollo

Hobart, Indiana, U.S.

**Omar Apolonio Velasco** (born May 20, 1997), known professionally as **Omar Apollo**, is a Mexican-American singer songwriter, and Grammy-nominee. Apollo sings in both English and Spanish. Apollo started his career by creating and uploading his songs to the DIY streaming platform SoundCloud. During this time, he worked at Jimmy John's and Guitar Center and lived in an attic. In 2017, using $30 borrowed from a friend, he uploaded his song **Ugotme** to Spotify, where it was soon playlisted on the platform's *Fresh Finds* and racked up 20,000 streams in a day. A year later, the song would cross more than 15 million streams.

## Early Life

Born to Mexican parents, Apollo grew up in Hobart, Indiana with his three older siblings. Apollo's parents both worked multiple jobs to support the family. His family is from the Mexican city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Growing up, he listened to his parents' favorite musicians such as Pedro Infante, Los Panchos and the Beatles. His own influences include diverse musicians such as Neil Young, Paul Simon, John Mayer, Prince, Bootsy Collins, Rick James, and the Internet. He danced ballet folklorico when he was a child. He was also a part of his Catholic church choir. At his request, Apollo's parents bought him a guitar when he was 12; however, it was an electric guitar without an amp. Apollo traded the guitar at a pawn shop for an acoustic guitar and started learning how to play by watching and mimicking YouTube cover videos. Apollo was also taught by his uncle and practiced playing at church. He would go on to form a short-lived band with a friend at church.

## Career

### 2017–2020: Career beginnings, breakthrough and debut mixtape *Apolonio*

He released his first EP, ***Stereo*** in 2018, which was similarly well received. In 2018 and 2019 he went on two tours, the "**Want Tour**" and the "**Voyager Tour**". During the 32-date "Voyager Tour" he released his second EP, ***Friends*** in April 2019. The EP featured production by rock producer John Shanks, who had previously worked with artists such as Michelle Branch and Melissa Etheridge. Apollo is managed by Shanks' son, Dylan, who he met over Twitter in July 2017 when the latter booked Apollo for a university show at NYU. Apollo signed with Artists Without A Label earlier that year and performed at SXSW as part of a showcase with the group. He went on his first European tour in 2019 as well, and played at Lollapalooza and Tropicália. In late 2019, Apollo released the singles, "Frío" and "Hit Me Up", both collaborations with producer Kenny Beats. In April 2020, Apollo released the single "Imagine U", another collaboration with Kenny Beats.

On August 7, 2020, Apollo released the lead single "Stayback" from his debut mixtape. On September 10, he released the second single "Kamikaze". On September 25, Apollo appeared on alternative R&B Japanese singer Joji’s second album *Nectar* on the track “High Hopes". Apollo then released two more singles "Dos Uno Nueve (219)" and “Want U Around" (featuring Ruel) before releasing his first mixtape, ***Apolonio*** on October 16, 2020.

### 2021–present: Debut studio album *Ivory*

Apollo was featured in a song called "Te olvidaste" by Spanish artist C. Tangana on his 2021 album *El Madrileño*. The song received two Latin Grammy Awards nominations for Record of the Year and Best Alternative Song.

In 2021, Apollo released the single "Go Away", including a music video and a live performance on *The Tonight Show*. He later followed up with the single "Bad Life", featuring Kali Uchis, making it the second time they collaborate since the track "Hey Boy" from ***Apolonio***. In February 2022, Apollo released the single "**Invincible**" featuring Daniel Caesar and announced the release date for his debut album. The following month he released the singles "Killing Me", which included a live performance on *The Tonight Show,* and “Tamagotchi". The former being co-written and produced by The Neptunes. With the release of Tamagotchi, Apple Music Up Next selected Omar Apollo as its featured artist for the month of April 2022.

Apollo released his debut studio album ***Ivory*** on April 8 and also embarked on the ***Desvelado* tour** to support the album. The album received mostly positive reviews with praises going towards Apollo's musical growth and vocal performance. It also entered the Billboard 200 chart, marking his first-ever entrance on the chart. As well as his solo tour, Apollo also performed at the Coachella and Something In The Water music festivals in 2022.

The album's deluxe edition, titled ***Ivory (Marfil)***, featuring five additional tracks, is going to be released on August 12, 2022, promoted by a new single "**Archetype**".

"**Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)**" became a radio single on October 4th of 2022, and peaked **#62** on the **Billboard Hot 100 Chart**, making it Omar's first Billboard entry.

In November 2022, Omar has been nominated for his first **GRAMMYs** for **BEST NEW ARTIST**. And on the 29th wrapped up the Prototype Tour.

In December 2022, it's been announced that Omar will be going on tour again, and opening for SZA for her SOS Tour.

Omar dropped his first single "3 Boys" since Evergreen & **Ivory (Marfil)** on February 17th, 2023, with a lyric video. He sang the song live for the first time opening for SZA's SOS TOUR, which has started February 21, 2022.

## Personal Life

His best friend is Jake Hicks, his ride or die, and supporting his career. Apollo is openly gay. In an interview with NPR, Apollo discussed the labelling of his sexuality, saying "I feel like in the beginning, I was trying to be mysterious and stuff, but now I'm just like — I'm very gay, so I'm just like, whatever."

## Discography

* LIVE FOR ME (2023
* *Ivory* (2022)
* *Apolonio* (2020)
* *Friends* (2019)
* *Stereo* (2018)

## Trivia

* His best friend is Jake Hicks.
* He has admitted to have been obsessed with Hiking, having loved wearing tactical things and dreamed of making trail shoes and hiking merchandise.
* Omar's Manager is Dylan Shanks.
* **Evergreen** is Omar's first **Billboard Hot 100 Chart** entry.