Today, we are speaking with Mundo, a performer that deftly weaves together birthright and his current living arrangement. As a polyglot, would you agree that language is powerful? Music has a similar transformative ability. What does your mélange of the two say?
(smiles) Well it’s my personal belief that it’s really very very difficult to understand a people if you don’t speak or at least know a little bit about their language. The way people speak, I think says a lot about them. Also I think language is a very powerful tool, and so is music. Together, I just find it intriguing how songs are just so special in different languages, like each one in their own way. You listen to French songs and go wow, then Italian or English and the way the poetry is put together in each one is unique you know, each language being beautiful in its own way
A number of the musicians we review on NeuFutur have worked in factories, fast food, or any one of a multitude of fairly banal occupations. Can you go into detail about what occupations you held before your music career began?
(laughs) I think it might actually be easier for me to say where I haven’t worked. From several forms of manual labor, to working on a farm, restaurant jobs, customer service, cleaning…let’s just say I’ve done quite a couple things
Which artists are the greatest influences for you and your music? Is there a dream lineup of performers that you would like to set in if given the chance?
Greatest influences…well Michael Jackson comes to mind almost immediately. He made me look at the whole entertainment thing in a completely different way. And really, still does. R.Kelly as well, is very much a living legend if you ask me. Been a fan since I was really young. Same goes with Sisqo who to me is probably among the most underrated, and Craig David too had a significant influence for me. Amongst rappers, 2pac, Twista, Eminem, Nas and a couple others come to mind off the top of my head.
What story does your current single Medusa tell, and in what ways does it differ from “Mona Lisa”? What successes and failures did you experience during the recording of the release?
Well Medusa, as the title suggests is about the Greek mythological character, but not in a literal sense. It’s more in a figurative sense, in which she represents your fears, worries, and say; worst nightmares. Uhm, but we can’t allow ourselves to focus on those things. Else you’ll “turn into stone” if you do,and thus what we wanna do is head for that place in our minds where we find solace and eventually serenity. It’s quite different from “Mona Lisa” in that first of all it doesn’t specifically allude to a woman or love interest…it’s more about the self, and what’s going on within and around 1 person, whereas “mona lisa” is more of a group thing. More people involved, so to speak.
In general I’ve been rather lucky to be working with a great team, so I generally experience more success or positivity than failures. Staying focused is not easy however, and maintaining a standard too isn’t, but in general it’s been really good so far.
Which sort of social media website have you had the best successes with? What about these traditionally online services are different from the traditional face to face meeting that musicians utilize?
I would like to really say facebook and soundcloud. Because to me, they’re each more about people than numbers. I do lots and lots of promotions via facebook and the interphase makes it quite flexible for us artists to actually interact with people. I’m a people-person (smiles), so I usually prefer anything that allows me to talk more with people, speaking of which, I’d rather meet people face to face, all day!sorry! (laughs) I’m really old school like that, in that regard. Yes, the online services have facilitated so much of the work, but still, for me, only so much can be communicated through social media.
While 2015 is coming to a close, what are your plans for December and beyond? How can interested NeuFutur readers locate samples of your music?
Lots of promo, and doing shows right now is the main focus. There’s gonna be LOTS and lots of excited stuff coming. Don’t wanna let the cat out the bag yet, but rest assured, stay tuned, and follow me on social media for updates, visit my website at officialmundo.com and it’s easy to go from there. Samples of my music would be on soundcloud, still directly accessible via my website.
Thank you so much for your time. Finally, do you have any additional thoughts about life and the universe for our readers?
Well thank you so much having me. It’s been a great pleasure.
Well we really all want the same thing. I think everyone wants to be loved, acknowledged and accepted. Some probably might not have the best way to go about it, or just don’t know better, but ultimately love always wins. Always. This I believe. Unless a person chose otherwise for themselves, if they just hang in there, love will come through. Might not be in the way we want it, but yea, love, love, love and more love. Plus it’s free! (laughs). Don’t cost a dime!