Mexican-American singer-songwriter who became the first openly gay Mexican artist nominated for a Grammy. Known for blending R&B, indie rock, and Latin influences while singing in English and Spanish.
DIY Beginnings
Omar Apollo Apolonio Velasco grew up in Hobart, Indiana, the son of Mexican immigrants. He taught himself guitar and began posting songs to Spotify and SoundCloud in 2017.
“Ugotme” (2017) went viral on Spotify’s algorithmic playlists, earning millions of streams without label support. The song’s bedroom-pop production and bilingual lyrics (English/Spanish) resonated with young Latino listeners.
Indie Success
2018-2020: Omar Apollo built a cult following through indie releases:
- Stereo EP (2018)
- Friends EP (2019) featuring “Frío” (Spanish R&B ballad)
- Apolonio album (2020) — first full-length, showcased bilingual fluidity
His sound blended:
- R&B (Frank Ocean influence)
- Indie rock (Mac DeMarco-esque guitars)
- Bossa nova (Brazilian influence)
- Mexican boleros (his parents’ music)
Mainstream Breakthrough
April 2022: Ivory album marked his major-label debut (Warner Records):
- “Everest” (with Daniel Caesar) became his biggest hit
- “Tamagotchi” showcased indie-pop side
- Album debuted on Billboard 200
February 2023: “Everest” earned Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, making Omar Apollo the first openly gay Mexican artist Grammy-nominated.
LGBTQ+ Representation
Omar Apollo became a rare openly gay Latino artist in mainstream music:
- Addressed queerness in lyrics without making it his entire identity
- Represented the intersection of Latino and LGBTQ+ communities
- Challenged machismo in Latin music culture
Songs like “Bi Fren” addressed bisexuality; “Everest” expressed vulnerability in love.
Cultural Bridge
Omar Apollo’s bilingual music appealed to:
- Second-generation Latino immigrants (like himself)
- Indie/alternative fans
- R&B listeners
- Spanish-language markets
His ability to move fluidly between English and Spanish within songs reflected the bilingual reality of many young Latinos in the US.
Coachella 2023: Performed in both English and Spanish, representing the modern Latino-American experience.
Awards: Grammy nomination, Billboard Music Awards nomination. Named one of Billboard’s “21 Under 21” rising stars.
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