Artist Spotlight: Umario

In 2025, many artists are multihyphenates and Umario has added his name to that list. Coming from the world of dance both as a choreographer and performer, he jumped into the music world and released his first song on streaming services in 2021 called “Emotions.” He’s now returned to the music world with his second single of the year, titled “Foolish Games.”

In this exclusive Q&A, Umario opens up about the stories behind the music, lessons learned along the way, and what keeps their passion alive.

Eye On Pop: Who are your biggest musical influences?

Umario: Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, and Lil Wayne.
 

Eye On Pop: What non-musical influences (books, movies, art, etc.) inspire your work?

Umario: The Da Vinci Code inspired me as a kid, especially its use of symbolism. I’ve also always been a fan of contemporary art, particularly the work of Jeff Koons.

Eye On Pop: Is there a particular song or album that has significantly influenced your career?

Umario: The biggest turning point in my life was hearing “Thriller” by Michael Jackson — it led my grandma to take me to dance classes. His album HIStory is something I always return to. Starboy by The Weeknd and The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga also played major roles in shaping my musical upbringing.

Eye On Pop: How do your personal experiences shape your music?

Umario: Everything I write comes from parts of my personal experience — whether real or imagined. I’ve often heard that artists are like broken angels, and the more holes you have in your wings, the more material you can use to fill the emptiness. As Meryl Streep once said, “Take your broken heart and make it into art.”

Eye On Pop: Have your influences changed over the years?

Umario: I’m a very impulsive person — when something grabs my attention, I obsess over it. Over the years, my influences haven’t changed as much as they’ve multiplied. With each stage of my life, I’ve resonated with artists who spoke to me during times of uncertainty.

Eye On Pop: How do you incorporate your cultural background into your music?

Umario: Being half white and half Black wasn’t easy growing up in Eastern Europe. I struggled to fit in and was often bullied or mocked for being creative, for dancing, and for having a darker complexion. Even though it was difficult, those experiences shaped who I am today — both as a person and as an artist. They taught me to be brave and fearless in my music and my dance.

Eye On Pop: What role does nature or your environment play in your songwriting?

Umario: I find inspiration in many different things. Most of my lyrics are written on my balcony while I watch traffic or people walking through busy streets — or late at night, when the city is asleep and it’s just me and my raw thoughts.

Eye On Pop: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

Umario: I’ve wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember — probably since I was six years old. To me, it was always one thing: I wanted to be a singer and a dancer — an entertainer. I used to pull my family, neighbors, and friends into our living room and perform for them. It’s something I think was born to do.

Eye On Pop: What was the first song you ever wrote, and what inspired it?

Umario: The first full song I ever wrote and recorded was called “Dark Side” when I was 16. I didn’t speak English fluently yet, so the lyrics were a bit broken, but the meaning was deep. At the time, I was inspired by the symbolism of the Catholic Church, self-reflection, and the feeling of regret after partying. It was a dark, synthetic track — maybe one day I’ll revisit it and release it. You never know.

Eye On Pop: How did you get started in the music industry?

Umario: I started writing underground hip-hop music in America when I was 19, living in Seattle. Through friends, I met other artists who encouraged me to keep going and told me I had talent. Later, when I moved to LA, my friend and fellow artist Natalya Z (who’s been my creative partner in dance for years) introduced me to my mixing engineer, Ben — and that’s where the magic began.