Today we’d like to introduce you to Uriel Martinez.
Hi Uriel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A son of two immigrant parents who came to this country for a better life and an opportunity for the American dream, I was just a byproduct that had no idea about the endless possibilities. Coming from a low-income household, I had no idea what chasing a dream was. I had a passion for music but I never knew I was good at it until people told me they loved my style and that I could make a living out of it.
Growing up I studied basic music theory from 4th grade to 10th grade in band class. After graduating, I decided to start singing covers and start recording videos on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Before I knew it, all my weekends would get booked for private gigs, house parties, and whatnot. It started with family and friends, but soon after the gigs would turn into opening acts for famous artists that also sing in the Regional Mexican genre.
Currently, I do my own shows in restaurants, nightclubs, and private parties. I am an independent artist from Atlanta who is proud to be Mexican-American. Every day I try to encourage the younger generation to never doubt themselves even if it seems like a lonely road.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are a lot of people my age who are doing better than me, along with people my age who are not as blessed. I am grateful for every moment. Every mistake that I make, I get to learn something new and I get to take that lesson with me everywhere I go. Every unfortunate outcome has only built me up. I am currently attending Kennesaw State University, It has put a toll on my mental health.
Going to school, while trying to break out of the traditional lifestyle is not something pleasant. My mind is in a back-and-forth race between settling for a 9-5 to going after the risky dream that I want. Part of the big reason why I go to school is to show people my age and younger that it is possible to get an education all while keeping their purpose or passion alive.
There is a division between chasing your dream and going to college. Some people nowadays see college as a scam, while others see it as a networking opportunity. My dream is to make music and keep on learning about business. I’ve dropped out 2 times already, this is my third attempt at it. I am not a quitter.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I attend Kennesaw State University while doing music on the side. I own a band and we play in private shows, as well as for restaurants, outdoor events, and nightclubs. I am a senior working on getting my bachelor’s in business management. I am proud to be one of the first Regional Mexican artists in Atlanta to play independently.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel like I was very blessed to have a loving family. Despite the economic challenges and hardships from our cultural background, we are working hard every day to be great and leave a better generation behind. My family has always cared about unity. No amount of money can buy what my family has. That has only made me want more for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uriel.umc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uriel.umc/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/uriel_umc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@urielumc
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iqqnyDZ31tnLsRcZBlIp1?si=sFG3EBiKQOOwQhuoRzRkQw
