Omar Apollo

Omar Apollo, whose real name is Omar Velasco, is a first-generation Mexican-American singer/songwriter hailing from Hobart, Indiana. His middle name, Apolonio, inspired his stage name, Apollo. He began playing guitar in church as a child but stopped because he didn't enjoy the music being played. Around age 11 or 12, his parents gifted him an electric guitar for his birthday, but it lacked an amp. He later swapped it for an acoustic guitar at a pawn shop, which he learned to play through YouTube. After a new guitar he purchased was stolen at age 15, it took him a few years to replace it and resume playing. He also taught himself how to sing via YouTube, motivated by criticism from his dad and friends. Omar briefly attended Indiana University Northwest but dropped out after two weeks, feeling as though he should pursue music instead. His music is a blend of psychedelic indie pop, R&B, and jazz.