Osquello recently released his latest album, “Romero”, which successfully displays his growth and versatility as an artist. The record combines several genres such as Funk, Soul and Rap to create a cohesive project. Described as a concept album, he taps into his character of “Romero” which challenges his listeners to look further than the original perception which is displayed.

We caught up with the North London based rising star about his latest release, branching out into international territory, and how using a different perception of himself created the concept behind the album.

1) Welcome Osquello! You recently released your new album “Romero”. How has the process of making this album changed from your previous releases?

Thank you for welcoming me. I mainly focused on enjoying music for what it is this time round. After releasing an album that’s been in the works for a few years , I had to re-think and un-learn everything so I could become a blank page .

It’s the first project I worked on, with other producers such as Jkarri, lvusm and Kamil Ademola so this was a big change to the process. I approached the album as a soundtrack to a film as opposed to a project filled with hits .

2) You describe this album as a concept album and use the character of “Romero” to challenge listeners to not fall for the façade that many people, especially entertainers put on as a front. How did this concept come to you?

It came over time through understanding and experiencing the music I made. 

There was a moment when I decided to name it Romero and maybe where the journey of understanding perception and the way musicians are perceived began.

I was in my kitchen getting baked with my housemates late at night after tryna get to sleep but everyone was being loud and annoying as fuck. My friend and musician Dochi must’ve invited round his friend who was drunk and chatting the most amount of shit but it was keeping us entertained. 

He kept calling me “Romero” even though my name wasn’t Romero and I already told him what it was. He’s this funny comedian called Boogz who is a good friend of mine and the repetitive obsession with calling me Romero just stuck to me.

He perceived me as this oh so special musician guy that was different from everyone else and it just worked well the name as an alter ego in another reality where I am this prick and flaunty musician that someone could perceive me as. And then from that I thought this could be the concept of the next album. 

3) Have there been any concept albums that you have looked to as a source of reference or that you think have been well executed?

If I have to be honest, I can’t really think of any.  The main thing that inspires my music and the concepts behind it are movies . When I listen to this album I imagine 80’s films like Teen Wolf, Beverly Hill Cop, Back To The Future and Purple Rain having Romero as the soundtrack.

I mention Teen Wolf and Purple Rain especially because the main character is someone who goes from not being valued much in society to being the greatest coolest character in the movie . 

4) How has living in North London influenced your music?

It’s influenced me to just treat music as an escape.

There isn’t a lot going on where I’m from and it’s a very weird middle ground between suburban and the hood so you get a lot of weird characters and variations of people who don’t really know who they are or what they represent.

I’ve always seen North London as the gloomiest greyest part of London so it’s probably influenced the sadder tones on my music but the more I’ve travelled and used music as an escape I don’t feel represented or influenced my post code or area anymore. 

5) You released a joint video for your songs “Cuffed” and “Moonlight”, what made you pick those songs to be the audience’s introduction to your new album?

Cuffed just felt like the catchiest hook I have made in the past few years , I know if that song had the potential reach to the masses everyone in the world would be singing that right now. Everyone who listened to it before it was released was just singing it to me for months on, and they still are.

Moonlight felt like a nice after party setting walking on the way home or to the last few hours of the party so in the video It made sense. Production from lvusm on that one is also my favourite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9dfoiMeVc&ab_channel=Osquello 

6) You came up with the concept of the video, can you give us an insight into how you came up with it and how it best represents the meaning of the songs?

OveralI l just wanted a wholesome and natural feel to a video where it feels like me and all my friends are lost in the 80’s. But I’m still the main character in-between the crowd hence the scenes with me in the middle of everyone dancing.

Cuffed is Romero letting the girl he loves know that he already knows she’s feeling him and down to ride for him. It’s that arrogant but charismatic manner that drives the song and the video. 

Moonlight is the more emotionally vulnerable side of Romero which is essentially his real side that is lost in his feelings about the woman he loves and that he has moments of isolation only thinking and caring about her, even if there’s a party going on around the corner which happens in the video. 

7) This album really shows your versatility as an artist as you play around with Funk, R&B, Soul and Rap, was that a conscious effort?

Definitely not at all. It’s always been that way since I started making music tbh. When I was 13, I uploaded a freestyle of me rapping over ‘When A Fire Starts To Burn’ by Disclosure but a week later I’d be singing over jazzy hip hop beats on SoundCloud by King Krule (djjdsports).

I grew up being taught to accept and to listen to everything even I don’t like it or agree with it. That really stuck with me and left me constantly exploring within a theme and concept. Even though Romero has different sounding songs everyone is inspired by the 80’s. People will think “Paz na Cidade” is a random indie track but it’s actually inspired by ‘Time After Time’ by Cyndi Laupher and ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by The Police so it’s all within a world and themed. 

8) It is notoriously difficult for UK acts to tap into the American audience and you are already selling out shows across the pond as an independent artist. Why do you think your music resonates over there?

I think people in the states people tend to be open minded to more music and have accessibility to a lot more so will take the time to take you in if you’re talented and really care about the craft your making.

Whereas in the UK, it seems you really have to prove yourself in order for people to even take the time to listen to the music. I’m speaking generally and I think both sides can be either way, and I’ve got a lot of love and community built in the UK, I’ve just always sought for more and to be represented by the world as opposed to the place I was born. 

I feel like if all artists did that, we’d all work together more and have less limitations as I’ve been working on my connection with LA since I was 13 which is 10 years ago now. I’d do this by messaging people on Twitter or anyone I thought was relevant-small amount  of followers or massive, it didn’t really hold me back from finding out what’s out there . 

9) How do the London crowds differ from your American crowds?

London crowds are definitely more hype as that’s my community and have grown with me to understand what I’m doing but also more distracted and seem to stay less focused at moments, the smoking area hype is really a London thing ahahaha.

American crowds stay locked in and engage 100% once I’ve convinced them I’m worth the time listening. The crowds are definitely a lot smaller at the US shows so it creates an intimate and more listening experience while in London it’s definitely more comfortable and familiar. 

10) What are some of the best gigs you have been to as a punter?

Damn, the last two amazing shows I went to was Yasiin Bey and Erykah Badu. I’ve been tryna see Yasiin Bey since I was a kid so finally getting to see him was a big moment for me as one of my favourite artists.

Erykah was a concert like I’ve never seen before, probably one of the greatest and immersive experiences – I also got to meet her and Andre 3000 after so that was pretty crazy .

11) Now you are quickly stacking up an international fanbase, what would be your dream festival to perform at that isn’t in the UK?

Probably Coachella and Primavera. Maybe Shrek Rave? 

12) What UK labels do you think are really pushing the boundaries and would be a great label to sign to if they approached you?

I’m not sure if there’s any I completely connect with, but I like a lot of the artists music on Warp and Dirty Hit. 

13) What do you want the listeners to get from “Romero”?

I want them to understand that they can love music and entertainment without having to idolise anyone. We’re all the same at the end of the day, we just bring something new to the table but it’s important to remember that in this dark industry there are people who understand the way the game works and the way certain groups of people and corporations want to perceive us .

The albums fun, and definitely a soundtrack to your movie life and any pre party drink ups to get your boogie on. I also want people to realise you can make whatever the fuck you want.

There’s no need to let yourself know you need to be this person, if you listen to loads of the greatest records before the internet and social media apps put us all into boxes, artists would change their style from each album. Prince and Michael are two examples I’d use, and they changed music forever.

I want people to learn that you don’t have to fear something you like which other people may not. Enjoy it for what it is not for what it may turn into.

14)  For any new potential fans that haven’t yet discovered you, how would you best describe this album?

A universal soundtrack to your 80’s movie life. The journey of perception.

Emotionally vulnerable and exciting. 

Check out the new album “Romero” on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ScAPpYnDsH3Cu3TKmhUJr?si=z–4rkzjTayM2brJgtWhZQ 

Find Osquello on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/osquello/