With ‘God Said No,’ Omar Apollo bares it all

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As a Mexican American journalist with a deep connection to my cultural heritage, I can truly relate to Apollo’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance in his music. His use of Spanish language in his music not only showcases his bilingual upbringing but also adds depth and authenticity to his stories of love and loss.

I’m a huge fan of Omar Apollo, and recently I got the amazing opportunity to peek into his creative process while he was taking a breather from filming the music video for “Done With You,” which is one of my favorite tracks from his sophomore album, “God Said No.” Released on June 28 through Warner Records, this album has been an absolute game-changer for me. Anyways, there I was, watching from behind the scenes as Omar sat comfortably in a back room at a soundstage in Van Nuys. He wore a calm, neutral-colored striped shirt and relaxed baggy jeans. With a pair of eye-catching diamond studs gleaming in his ears, he leaned back in the chair, stretching out his arms behind his head, taking a well-deserved break from bringing “Done With You” to life on screen for us all.

“To describe this era, it’s pretty glamorous,” Apollo said.

After earning his first Grammy nomination for his debut album “Ivory” the previous year, Apollo has enjoyed a privileged existence publicly. He’s graced fashion campaigns and attended Paris Fashion Week. In May, Apollo made an appearance at the Met Gala on a carpet adorned with shades of cream and moss. Describing his outfit as inspired by “just good vibes,” Apollo’s attendance caused quite a stir when he shared a video on X showing his father rushing into their Hobart, Ind., home upon learning that his son was being broadcasted on television. The living room backdrop displayed a crucifix flanked by two platinum record awards. This heartwarming clip has garnered over 3.8 million views.

my dads reaction when he heard i was on tv lol ❤️🫶🏽

— Omar Apollo (@omarapollo) May 8, 2024

“Apollo expressed, ‘My parents play a huge role in my life.’ He held them dear and felt proud when others referred to him as authentic, believing their kindness and goodness had been passed down to him.”

As a passionate cinema goer, I’m thrilled to share that Apollo, whose fame once shone brightly with a self-declared glamourous image, has now graced the realm of high art. Last October, Apollo brought an immersive listening experience to MoMA PS1 for his EP “Live for Me.” This musical piece invites listeners on a journey into his coming-out story. At this ticketed event, two thought-provoking nude paintings of Apollo by the renowned queer artist Doron Langberg were displayed prominently. These masterpieces served not only as stunning works of art but also as the captivating front and back covers for the EP.

Through out his professional journey, Apollo has openly embraced his sexuality in the limelight. Previously, his music subtly suggested his orientation when questioned by The Times four years ago about his identity, he replied casually “I’m just living my life.” However, it wasn’t until 2022 that he explicitly sang about loving a man in his song “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me at All)”. Notably, this track became his most successful hit, reaching No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

After the song’s accomplishment, he expressed that it boosted his confidence in following his instincts. Since then, Apollo has become more transparent regarding his identity and sources of inspiration.

(Jill Connelly/For De Los)

“Apollo is deeply drawn to the work of photographers like Peter Hujar and David Wojnarowicz from the 1980s, particularly during the AIDS epidemic. He finds beauty in nudity and this sentiment is reflected in his inspiration for the Langberg paintings. One of these inspirations stems from a Hujar photograph featuring a subject engaging in self-pleasuring.”

He expressed that the experience was amazing and personally fulfilling for him. Regarding the past year, turning 26 held significance that he wished to recall distinctly.

Just like the paintings, “God Said No” reflects a part of Apollo’s life when he was 27 years old (he turned this age in May). This album was produced during a breakup, documenting the end of that relationship as it happened. In the upbeat rhythm and blues of “Less of You,” Apollo expresses how his ex was pulling away. With soulful funk in “Done With You,” his voice falters as he tries to move forward. The name of the album is also significant, symbolizing that the relationship wasn’t meant to last – Apollo shared that it derived from a studio conversation about his situation.

“My friend remarked, ‘It seems God denied you,'” Apollo recounted. “I replied, ‘Amazing, that sums up the album perfectly.’ Following each track, one could say, ‘God declined it.’ I hold faith in a supreme, divine entity and accept that sometimes we encounter tremendous setbacks.”

As a film enthusiast with a bilingual background, I can relate to Apollo’s unique way of expressing his emotions. Though English is the primary language in most of his music, he proudly showcases his Mexican heritage. In his 2020 mixtape “Apolonio,” he showcased his corridor skills with the boastful track “Dos Uno Nueve (219),” which paid tribute to his hometown in northwest Indiana through the area code. In “Ivory,” he delved deep into his soul and channeled Juan Gabriel’s essence, creating a haunting ballad titled “En el Olvido.” The song “God Said No” included Spanish hidden within its heart-wrenching lyrics. Halfway through, Apollo sang, “I sing in another language so you don’t understand me / I don’t want you to know how much I’m hurting.”

“In that song in particular I was exhausted with love,” he said.

I’ve found myself growing weary of penning down the same old storyline, the same recurring character, and the ubiquitous theme of love. It felt monotonous and uninspiring to me, leaving me yearning for a fresh perspective. In an attempt to inject authenticity and originality into my work, I considered writing in a language I knew he wouldn’t understand – Spanish. This approach struck me as an intriguing solution, one that would allow me to tap into unexplored creative territories while staying true to myself. The idea felt invigorating and genuine.

(Jill Connelly/For De Los)

During the creation of his album, Apollo drew support from Pedro Pascal. The multitalented actor, who is of Chilean-American descent, not only appears in a cameo on the album but also lends his voice to the interlude titled “Pedro.” In the recording studio, they shared a connection, and as they conversed, Apollo expressed an interest in acting. Pascal may have unknowingly influenced Apollo’s future career decision.

“That would be cool. I’ll do it! I’ve been friends with him for a while now,” Apollo said.

During the entire creation of that album, he was there with me. Our connection was fantastic. We’ve built a strong friendship. I prefer collaborating with friends. Mustafa is the sole other artist on this album, and he’s more than just a colleague – he’s my dearest friend. I choose to keep my projects limited to those close to me.

Next week, Apollo begins an exciting global journey to promote “God Said No.” His adventure commences in Australia and includes a performance at the Hollywood Bowl on October 5th. If he spent 26 weeks in the recording studio, the next 27 weeks will be dedicated to engaging with his audience – an experience that brings him great pleasure. The night prior to this interview, Apollo expressed immense joy during a listening party for “God Said No.”

He reminisced fondly about the many unique Chicano children he encountered, their presence bringing him great joy, as he shared this memory with a grin.

As a person who has interacted with this young individual, I found the situation heartwarming and deeply moving. The fact that he had my image as his phone background spoke volumes about how much he admired or looked up to me. When he hesitated to take a selfie together out of fear or shyness, I could relate to his emotions since I too have had treasured loved ones as my mobile background in the past.

Lucas Villa, a journalist of Mexican-American descent, reports on pop and Latin tunes for various media outlets. His work has been published in Allure, Elle, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paper Magazine, Vibe, and LGBTQ Nation.

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2024-07-18 20:45