Singer Omar Apollo talks Grammy nomination, queer-baiters
qvoicenews.comThere’s no way Omar Apollo knew what was in store for him at the top of last year. At that point, the rising Mexican-American singer, who identifies as gay, 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.
But 2022 was the year Apollo found his footing in the mainstream. During the year, Apollo released his debut album, “Ivory,” and performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk.
His song “Evergreen” went viral on TikTok and became his first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. He’s toured the country twice, performed at the Coachella Valley Arts and Music and Austin City Limits music festivals, announced a 2023 North American tour with SZA, and been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist. “I feel like I’m barely getting started, so the category fits for me,” Apollo says.
The Recording Academy announced the class of 2023 in November, and Apollo knew there was a chance he’d be nominated. It was a breakthrough moment for the singer. “I was in Atlanta when I found out I was nominated for Best New Artist,” he recalls. “My manager and a few friends barged in my hotel room with cameras trying to capture the moment.
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