Meet Ademir Monteiro | Musician & Entertainer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ademir Monteiro and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ademir, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in a city called Brockton, about 25 miles away from Boston. Both of my parents are from Cape Verde and moved here during the 80’s – 90’s. I can’t imagine how’d I’d be if I grew up any different. If it wasn’t for the drama club at South Middle School, I never would’ve discovered a love for the arts and for music. Brockton is actually filled with so much talent it’s insane, but a lot of people in Massachusetts look down on the city and the arts aren’t really supported due to a tightening budget. I discovered rap thanks to my brothers. They’d come home and watch 106 & Park and play CD’s in their room. My brother was actually the first person I ever wrote and performed a rap for. While they played hip hop, my parents played Cape Verdean music on the tapes that they brought with them. Cape Verdean music is full of life, dance, and vocal expression, and percussion. It’s part of everyday life. From church to parties the music is so active and you can’t help but move your feet or nod your head. I spent a lot of my childhood surrounded by music and that planted the seeds for what I do in life now.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would say my art is all about turning my own personal growth and feelings into a story. I love telling stories with concepts and themes even if it’s a more light hearted one from time to time. I’m most excited to get to work on my next full length solo album. I have a really cool concept that’s ambitious and different and I can’t wait to show everyone. It won’t see the light of day for a long while, but once it’s ready I hope everyone else is because I really want to blow everyone away with this one.
Getting to this point was definitely not easy. Moving across country and, essentially, starting from stretch is far from simple. I think the way I’ve over come any challenges I’ve had is by trying to keep a cool head. Life is overwhelming and is constantly throwing curve balls and tossing wrenches into your plans, so you gotta keep on your toes and try to stay one step ahead. I’m someone who learns better doing things hands-on. So that means I try, eventually mess up, and then improve upon the last time. Everything I do is iterative. I also think have a solid group of friends behind me has been a god send. My friends support me and I support them. And they’re there to catch me when I fall. Without community, I wouldn’t have done nearly as much as I have.
I really want to be known for creating worlds and stories that people get lost in. It took a while to get on this path, but now that I’m here I hope to show everyone what I can really do. I also want to give people hope. I want every little CV boy in Brockton or back on the islands to look at me and say “If he can, I Can”.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a hard one. I’d say essential places to visit are:
Little Tokyo in LA. I’m a big video game nerd and I love the retro gaming shops there. There’s also a lot of dope record stores in the area that have some dope finds.
My favorite beaches are in Malibu. The water and sun just hit different out there, Definitely worth the trip.
I recently went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and I loved it there, I used to wanna be a marine biologist when I was a kid so I’ve always had a deep love for the ocean.
The art museums are super dope here too! The Broad is a great one and always has free exhibits to look at. LACMA is also dope and I recommend going on their free ticket Tuesdays they do every month.
If you want some fun rooftop night life Bar Lis is Hollywood is always a good pick too!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shout out my L.A. artist community. I truly believe my friends out here are some of these most talented people in the entire world, and I can’t wait to see them bring their plans to fruition. They have provided so much love and guidance and wisdom to me and I’ll be forever grateful for it. Everyone should absolutely tap in with Jaydin Donte Geer, Arleena, Kent Danger, Renzo Starr, Jilliana, Kawaii Steez, and keep digging from there if you really wanna explore what the next generation of stars are up to right now.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilypadaddy/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRcrUHrnfpGnFPKNfsMBvaQ
Other: Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/6DV2FYiHZxjUJ4WpeKvMkT?si=cn9HAH3xRRCV4T0YqgFAsg
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ademir/1454276975
Bandcamp – Ademir.Bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Geleta
Jose Fuentes
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