Artist Information Artist / Group Name: Adero Neely Member Names: Adero plus 2 to 5 dancers Stage Name: Adero Neely Genre: R&B/Hiphop/Pop State / Country: Chicago, Illinois USA Manager: Attorney David E. Neely Frequently Ask Questions: What project are you currently promoting? Adero is currently working on cool new singles, new music videos and a new feature film titled "Like Father Like Daughter" which Adero begins shooting on May 18th. Adero recently completed a short film titled "Cut Out" - the trailer link is www.cutout-movie.com Adero is real excited about being cast for a new network television programs. He begins filming in L.A. on May 28, 2013. Adero recently performed his new single GUAP in the Beats & Lyrics Showcase which he will drop in June followed by a cool music video. What is your thought process when working on new music? I just vibe with the music and let the words flow, depending on my feelings and the energy of those around me. We also study the market to assess music trends. What inspires your music? Music and acting is my life and I am inspired by the need to make people feel happy. How would you classify your music? My music is a macrocosm of R&B, Hip Hop and Pop expressions deliciously enriched with sticky hooks and campy lyrical play. How would you describe yourself as an artist? I am humble to the will of God. While most teens my age are preparing for college exams, I have to juggle the same tasks together with a hectic schedule packed with recording sessions, photo shoots, piano practice, movie auditions, and live performances. The words, prodigious and multi-talented are synonymous and holds true for a quick description of myself. My music hit Chicago's WGCI and Power 92 radio at the tender age of 13 with my first single called "Let's Go", which he recorded with the late MC Breed, followed by "Mr. President" at 14 years old and "Animated" at 15 years old. My name, "Adero" means “Give Life”. I have seemingly infinite energy and an exuberant outlook on life. I might be just a teen, but my musical ability reflects experience, passion and wisdom coming from a place far beyond the date on my birth certificate. Described by the Chicago media as “boy wonder” at an early age, I am not your ordinary newcomer. What sets your music apart from others in your genre? Not only am I a threat on the microphone but I am also a bona fide actor. I audition for stage productions and feature films on a regular basis and will be shooting a new comedy this summer called “Like Father, Like Daughter”. My music is clean, catchy and fresh and is much different from many others because I am a legitimate singer. When you are working on a new song… Do you already have a concept in mind or do you rather write on top of music/beats? When I am working on a new song I usually listen to the music and then develop a concept then I write on top of the music. What are some of your musical influences? Some of my musical influences are Michel Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher, Chris Brown, Nat King Cole, Joe and Sam Cooke. My music is also influenced by trend in the commercial market because I want to stay in touch my generation. How did you get started in the music industry? When I was nine years old, I was in my room singing a song by Nat King Cole and my father overheard me and said “You sound like a young Michael Jackson”. He told me to get dressed and took me to the Lyric Opera House in Chicago to meet with the music director who said I was a "natural". Thereafter, my father said he wanted to get a second opinion so we went to see Lena McLyn, a well know voice coach in Chicago who confirmed the diagnosis that I was a natural singer. From there my Dad hired a voice coach and began teaching me cover songs like "Whose Lovin You", Got To Be There" and ABC. I entered my first national talent competition in Wisconsin at the age of 10, sponsored by the Kalahari Resorts, and competed against over 300 adults from around the country; and won. I became the first Kalahari Idol representing the Kalahari Resorts. I recorded my first single “Save Some World For Me” at 11 years old. At 12 years old, I was the opening act for sold out crowds for the 'New Jack Tour' featuring R&B singers Aaron Hall, Guy, Teddy Riley, Black Street, Tony Toni Tone and After 7. At 14, I was opening major concerts for Soulja Boy. At 15 years old, I was opening for Trey Songz . At 16, I was a spotlight artist in BET's Blaze the Stage at Symphony Hall in New York. At 17 years old, I was opening concerts for Diggy Simmons and Jacob Latimore. At 18, I hit Beats And Lyrics Magazine. What obstacles have you faced in the music industry? Well I think my career is progressing at a reasonable pace. There have been no major obstacles because my Dad has always focused on artist development and has allowed me to enjoy my childhood. Independent radio has been very supportive but we do not have the funds or the major label to get our music out to commercial radio on a national level. The inability to promote my music on national commercial radio as an independent artist is a major obstacle for me right now. What hard lessons have you learned while working in the industry? I have learned that there is a cost attached to everything I do. It cost money to record, mix, and master and promote my music. It cost money to hire talent to produce my music videos and it cost money for printing and travel. I cannot do this myself and have been blessed to have a Dad who is committed to my success. This is a business and is not a place for those who are unwilling or unable to stay on the grind. Do you feel that artists really understand the business aspect of the music industry? Many artists don't understand the business aspect of the music industry. My father is a lawyer and he has always been my business manager. He makes sure that my work and my name is protected. He negotiates all my deals and teaches me the business side of the entertainment industry. What changes do you feel that need to be made in the music industry? The biggest obstacle for young independent unsigned artists like me in the music industry is breaking into commercial radio. Pay-for-play is real and is not going away so let’s just keep it real. Radio is the last stronghold for major labels and there is a reason we only hear 4 or 5 artists on the radio 24-7. That is why teenagers in my generation look for cool new songs in cyberspace. We know how to find the talent. I would like to see commercial radio develop more programs to feature the music of rising talents like myself. What direction do you see the music industry going? With the advent of social media the artist is more in control and the record label to the artist is like the political party is to the politician-the bank. This process has been institutionalized and I do not see change coming any time soon. However, I do see more branding opportunities for young artists like myself. This will enable artists like myself to take advantage of more revenue streams in merchandizing. What steps have you taken to market your music? We use social media, street teams, networking and direct marketing to promote my music. My Dad makes hundreds of telephone calls and writes hundreds of emails every month in an attempt to expand my presence in the market. If you can have any collaboration with any artist who would it be and why? I would like to collaborate with Justine Beiber, Justine Timberland, Kanye West just to mention a few because I think they're two very talented musicians and we would create hits if ever given the opportunity. Who would you consider are the top 5 producers now? I would have to say Kanye West Coming from Chicago; Young chop is doing his thing S/O to him, Big S/O to J.Cole on the production tip, MikeWill, and 40-40 Drake’s producer. If you can work with any producer who would it be and why? If I could work with any produce it would either be Kanye West, or 40-40 because Kanye West is one of the most brilliant minds in the game and 40-40 has a style that compares to no other. What song are you currently promoting? Who is the producer and how did the song come about? I am currently promoting my new single "I Know" followed by my upcoming new single called "Guap". Both songs were produced by a talented producer from Atlanta named Justine "Jtrik" Echols, who now resides in Los Angeles. My Dad wanted to get away from the ballads and do some up temple songs so we developed “I Know” and “Guap”. What album/cd are you currently promoting? What are some of the producers that are on the cd? We are always looking for talented producers to work with and nothing is written in stone and we encourage talented producers to contact us. We also look forward to working with a hot producer named Chase Soprano. Do you have any major performances or tours planned for 2013? This year has started off great. I have been cast to work on a new feature film in May 2013 and will be going to Hollywood to shoot a new television pilot in May 2013. What are your projects plans for 2013? I plan to record new songs, shoot new music videos, and perform in a few new stage productions, television productions and feature films. I will be doing a lot of showcase performances and looking for the perfect situation to come along that will take my music to the next level.