- Words Aimee Phillips
Melt into the soft R&B melodies of Montreal model-turned-musician, Adonis Bosso.
With just two official singles under his belt, Ivorian-Canadian artist, Adonis Bosso, is quickly making his mark on the music industry.
Citing influences such as Sade, Whitney Houston and Lenny Kravitz, Adonis’s dreamlike vocals will carry you to a peaceful place. Outside of his early education on some of music’s biggest legends, growing up, Adonis was introduced exciting new artists by his aunt, and each summer, his family would return to Adibjan on the Ivory Coast. Thus, in his current and upcoming releases, Adonis has weaved in the fabric of his heritage to create an irresistible soundscape.
Before he turned his hand to music, however, Adonis held a prevalent career in modelling. Not only did he model for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, Fenty, Yeezy and Ivy Park, but he was also the face of Fear of God by Jerry Lorenzo. Through these experiences, Adonis travelled the world, where he soaked up a range of musical influences that would later inspire his own work.
However, despite his clear talent, Adonis’ musical journey wasn’t a smooth one, as we learned from our conversation with him. We spoke to Adonis about the need for self-belief, fatherhood, and what we can expect next.
What sparked your desire to pursue a career in music?
In my teen years, I started a band and was writing songs with my ex-girlfriend. That is also how I met Kevin Dave Brian the producer of Alright. We used to send each other voice notes and beats. Then a really good friend of mine at the time told me that I couldn’t sing and that made me put music in the back of my mind. It’s only after coming to LA, getting my feet back into music and seeing people I respected have a positive response to what I was creating that gave me faith in what I was doing.
Are you planning to balance your music and modelling careers simultaneously? Or are you focusing on I the music for now?
At the moment I am blessed to have a career that makes me able to provide for my family and also allows me to have the time to create. I believe any tradition or evolution will happen organically.
As well as a model and a musician, you’re also a father. How has fatherhood changed you as a person?
It has widened my perspective on life and its possibilities. Life is endless and limitless. Anything can really happen. It made me hopeful and excited for the future. I am excited to see my son grow and excited to see how I grow as a father and as a man.
What are you hoping to communicate about yourself through your music?
I want to share my heritage with the world. My human experience as a man born in the motherland and all the knowledge and experience that I have gained through my travels. Share my understanding of love and vulnerability.
Which artists have been influential in shaping your sound?
I grew up with a lot of R&B from Toni Braxton, Baby Face, Maxwell & Sade with a mix of Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill. All that topped with the music from Ivory Coast like Magic System or Meiway or Alpha Blondy. I believe I put a little bit of everything I grew up with in my music.
Your track “Alright,” was written a few days after your breakup with Slick Woods. Do you find writing about painful experiences to be cathartic?
Music is definitely a form of therapy for me. it brings to life feelings and emotions that I maybe didn’t really understand and helps me cope with things I didn’t want to admit was affecting me. Being able to dig inside myself to create is definitely relieving.
What’s your favourite lyric from the song?
“Just save a little love for me,” I think it’s vulnerable – demanding love regardless of everything. regardless of the separation, the heartache and pain, save a little love for me. because I will always have love for you. it feels like a universal cry for love that can be applied to everyone.
What is something you’d like to tell your younger self?
Believe. I set a lot of limits in my mind in my youth – limits to what I can do and who I can become. It’s in my adult life that I realized an infinity of possibilities and hopeful outcome that a little faith can bring. So, believe in yourself young Bosso, fear is only alive in your mind and it only holds the power you give it.
What fictional character do you most relate to and why?
I want to say Anakin Skywalker. I can see myself going to the dark side of the force to save the life of a loved one.
What can we expect next from Adonis?
I want to keep exploring my creativity. there are a few art forms I want to explore, and I want to share what I am able to bring to life with the world. Anything can happen.
Dive into the music video for Adonis Bosso’s latest release, “Alright” below: