Post-Wammie Nomination, AMARU Continues to Grow
Writer, musician, model, and entrepreneur AMARU. Courtesy of AMARU.
“I made love is dangerous, the whole project in a week off of me living with my girl,” says AMARU. The flourishing artist out of Washington D.C. describes how love can be an emotional roller coaster, providing insight into his EP Love is Dangerous. “I just felt it [emotions] all ’cause when you with a person 24/7 , it’s like you don’t got no outlet. You gotta stay in with this person––it’s gonna bring some stuff out. Past, current, it’s gonna bring some stuff out to make you think.”
AMARU was able to personify a smooth, melodic, and soulful project with a total of five tracks. Doing so resulted in him being nominated in the 2021 Wammie Awards for Best Hip Hop Album, a big milestone for a fresh artist just beginning his musical journey. “I had to look at it like ‘why am I doing this’? Yes, I’m doing it to have a platform and to touch people but I’m really doing it for myself––it’s therapy. It feels good to know that people out here rocking with me. A nomination only is good enough for me.”
As AMARU continues to grow and expand his musical craft, he does not forget why he is doing this. “I’ve kinda always [been a] role model outside of music. Like, you know, with me being the oldest of six and everything. Like, I kinda always took that leadership role. My mother always used to say I had an old soul. I always used to hang with older people cause I just gravitated to them because I wanted to learn, ‘cause I wanted to eventually inspire people to be more than what they think they can do. And now that I have this platform it's just like you know I really gotta be mindful and like how I conduct myself and how I move because people are watching.”
Courtesy of AMARU.
As for what the future holds, AMARU wants to stamp himself in the music industry––but not just for himself. Regardless if he is in the spotlight or not, he wants to be able to expand his musical gift to help other creatives as well. “As much as I love creating music for myself and putting my own stories out there, I really wanna [in the] long term write for other people. ‘Cause I love to write, you know, and I love making nothing outta something.” AMARU isn’t afraid to let his ideas flow on a visual aspect either. “Outside of that [writing music], like, music videos another way to put my creative side out there because, if anybody knows, I’m very detailed and intentional with my music videos. He already models for clothing brands, including Forever 21 Men, but also wants to get into acting. “[S]hout out to Teyana Taylor because she showed that you can do it [all].”
AMARU has songs on the way, never leaving his fans without a track to enjoy while preparing for what’s next. “It’s about to be a lot of visuals, a lot of visuals for sure,” AMARU says. During the pandemic, the artist is making sure to explore everything his heart desires. “I tell people all the time, like, you gotta appreciate the process, because if you don’t you can get lost, you know.”
AMARU photographed by Rill Photography.
“Learn the business side first, do not wait until you get poppin’, buzzin’, and then you wanna learn it. No, learn it now. put yourself around like-minded people that you know believe in you and wanna see you win so y’all can know the business side first,” says AMARU. The music industry is very competitive, and artists must be able to put themselves in the right positions for success. As the quest for independent artists continues, work with those you trust. In an industry that’s cutthroat there’s a fine line between business and friendship.
AMARU has a long journey ahead of him but his mentality already shows he is a force to be reckoned with. It shows in his passion for music and his desire to want to help others succeed, regardless of if he is in the light or not. From touching young minds as a teacher or even writing lyrics for others, AMARU just wants to leave his mark in this world.
