Versatile performer Flavio, aka Flava J is making a huge buzz with his unwavering track ‘Triggers’. This talented artist has spread his creative aura through every medium whether it is music, theater, or photography. Based in London, this artist was born in Portugal and offers a blended essence of Latin and hip-hop music. We thank the artist for sharing a few words with us on his never-ending musical journey.
DMR: ëTriggersí is quite an intriguing project. How did you come up with the concept?
Flava J: I wanted to write a song about emotional triggers and how we deal with them. We hit rock bottom many times in our life time and this song is for therapy and healing, just in a slight different way. Triggers speak from a determined point of view that no matter how many times we can be down We also can easily come back up by molding adaptation responses.
DMR: Tell us something about your creative influences. Who inspired youíre the most?
Flava J: I am a quirky creative, constantly challenging reality and bending the norm. Jessie J, Sia, Cassie, Beyonce, Usher, Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Mary J Blidge, to name a few artists that shaped who I am today but ultimately you can think: Adam Lambert + Rihanna = Flava J
DMR: How did your musical journey initiate?
Flava J: From a young age, rhythm were intrinsict in my veins. If something music related (being
It dancing, singing acting etc) was on, I would get lost in space just wondering how I would do it. 2008 and 2009 marked my first steps as a dancer and singer but had an early end as rejected by “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Portugal Idol” I then moved to the U.K. to be professionally trainned.
In 2016 a knee surgery made me step away from stages, so I started writing my lifebook and journalling. After a year it all starts gaining shape as I realized that I could convert what I wrote into songs and it was a wakeup call, I replanned my life and I knew it there that my injury happened for reason, it kept me going for 6 years.
DMR: How do you like to craft your tracks? Music first or songwriting?
Flava J: The right answer is – Mood first but it can be both really. There are times that I have an instrument playing non-stop in my head so I need to put it down and play it with other sounds in order to come up with words, other times I have key words that i want to write about and I am lucky to have a great team that understands my visions and make me tailored tracks but its always about the mood.
DMR: Is music your full-time profession? Tell us something about your other ventures.
Flava J: Yes, music has a vast umbrella of duties that takes it beyond full-time to be honest. Since I left Portugal that it has been a juggling game when it comes to a profession. Over the past 13 years I worked as an engineer, cleaner, waiter, supervisor, restaurant manager, car sales executive, multi-lingual bank agent, financial services, mental health mentor. Currently I am finishing my studies in music performance, I am an actor and working on my own music.
DMR: The modern music industry is getting more competitive than ever. Do you find any obstacles in the way of your progress?
Flava J: I surely do, having an idea was my first step to the encounter of many that were just around the corner and I’m sure the obstacles will vary with the time but they will always be there in some shape or form.
DMR: From Flavio to Flava J, how would you like to describe your journey till now?
Flava J: My journey has been full of ups and downs, there was times that I felt like I was being put to a test and life was asking me how much I wanted this, and other times when great results showed up, I couldn’t stop smiling and was feeling super proud. Today I am grateful.
Flavio and Flava J have different attributes, Flavio experiences life and Flava J brings the vibes.
He is the best version of myself.
DMR: Can we expect another musical project to be released soon? Please shed some light.
Flava J: “Oyiee bebe” – will be released in May and it might have some company.
DMR: Since you are quite great with both Latin and hip-hop music, what do yoUrefer most?
Flava J: They both have an equal place in my heart at this stage, however, Latin wins.
DMR: Would like to experiment with other music genres in the future?
Flava J: Yes, there are many genres that I will love to experiment.
DMR: What piece of advice would you suggest to the emerging music artists in the music industry?
Flava J: Believe in yourself, we are too harsh on ourselves sometimes and after so much self-criticizing we stop trusting that we are good enough.
DMR: Is there anything your fans and followers should be aware of?
Flava J: I’m super grateful for the support I get, big thank you! And be tuned.
