Omar Apollo

The Mexican American star on befriending SZA, jamming out to Beyoncé, and making music for arenas

- TOMÁS MIER 

Omar apollo is looking at himself through Zoom as he tries on the beige Sherpa jacket he just bought. “You fuck with it?” he asks.

It’s hard not to fuck with everything the Mexican American alt-R&B star does. Apollo dropped his debut album, Ivory, in April 2022, blew up with its ultra-sentimental song “Evergreen,” and followed that success by touring with SZA last year. Recently, he’s been dipping into fashion. (A massive billboard of him dripped in the luxury designer Loewe looms over Sunset Boulevard in L.A.)

Apollo is back in L.A. these days, putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album, out in the summer. He’s experimenting with jazz, house, and other genres, and he tells me it’s the best music he’s ever made. And, nah, he’s not just saying that.

How are you?

I’m good. I’ve been posted up, finishing the album. We’re mixing, and I’m really excited. How are you?

Good. I just got back from visiting family in Durango, Mexico.

Duranguense! I know the dance. You’re supposed to act like you got a penny stuck in between your cheeks or something.

Your knees.

Oh, your knees? I remember my mom would teach me how to do that. I was in baile folklórico when I was younger. It was zapateado and dances like that. The girls had the little clicks in their hands and the big dresses. The guys would have sombreros and mariachi-looking pants.

How are you feeling about this new album? I read that you are angrier on it.