Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Alexander Yi-Hernandez
Hi Adrian Alexander, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the “burbs” of Richmond West Kendall, off of Naranja Road, where I still live today in my “O.G.” childhood home. As a kid, I went to many different schools around Miami during elementary to middle school. I eventually went on to graduate magna cum laude from Robert Morgan magnet high school where I got into TV Production, Broadcast Journalism and Theater. Then, I went to Miami Dade College and continued studying Journalism and Mass Communications and even received the Academic Award for Outstanding Student in Journalism in 2014. That year, I had made it into University of Florida’s School of Journalism (one of the best in the nation), but that same year, I got diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and went through my first mental health crisis. Unfortunately, I had to be hospitalized for almost a month. I was not able to complete my last semester at MDC in order to transfer to UF, though I did eventually return to complete my A.A. degree in 2015 and still managed to graduate with honors. After my diagnosis, I struggled to accept my condition and didn’t really listen to the mental health professionals. I tried to fight the “war in his mind”, as I calls it, without medication but after many vicious hospitalization cycles and repeated failures, I finally admitted to my condition and accepted the fact that I do require medicated assistance. With the help of many great teams of psychiatrists, I was able to find the right combination of medicine to keep my mood balanced and symptoms stabilized. Despite the sudden changes of events in my life due to mental illness, I was able to channel my inner creativity in a new and surprising way, I discovered my artistic ability of lyric writing, song composing, and singing. I ventured into music production and began releasing songs under my stage name Angel di Amanté first on SoundCloud and then through DistroKid which distributes to all major streaming platforms i.e. Spotify and Apple Music. It became a very cathartic process for me. I was able to heal a lot of inner childhood wounds and traumas that had been affecting my mental health since an early age. In 2022, I released my first Extended Play (EP) called “MELANCHOLIA” which I call my recovery album since I wrote and recorded it while in rehabilitation for mental health and subsequent substance abuse or “dual diagnosis” as they label it. I later went on to release my first full length album the next year in 2023 called “MISCHIEF, MADNESS & MANIA” which hence by the title deals with my Bipolar disorder and all my experiences during those times. Though I have not reached the Billboard Top 100 or any kind of mainstream success (yet), I still feel very satisfied with my pursuits and count my successes as small steps I’ve taken to realizing my dreams of being an esteemed singer/songwriter. It’s been a long journey, but I never gave up. Through every trial, I remained steadfast and instead of giving into fear, I gave way to increasing my faith. Everything I’ve overcome, I did it with the help of my Higher Power whom I call God and my family. And now I live to help others and share my testimony through writing and through music. The point is my story isn’t all that unique, there are many people dealing with mental health issues as well as substance abuse and addiction. My main purpose in life is to bring about awareness of these issues; inform and educate the masses on the medical and psychological basis of these issues; and to work towards de-stigmatizing mental health issues as taboo in this modern age.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
NOT AT ALL! In fact it’s been mostly turbulent to be quite honest. But I’ve learned to enjoy the “bumpy ride” so to speak. Like I mentioned in my story, I struggled with and still struggle with mental health issues that are debilitating at times while still advocating for myself and making an effort to push forward and overcome these obstacles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an independent singer/songwriter. I produce my own songs with the help of online beat-makers. I use their beats along with my vocal productions to create melodic tracks with my very own original lyrics. I am best known for my lyrical themes of recovery from addiction, mental health issues, social/political issues, spiritual/metaphysical ideologies, mysticism, philosophy, and a lot of deep niche concepts I.e. “Amor Fati”. I am most proud of the fact that I am “going for it” and actually manifesting my dreams. I don’t just talk about them but I literally put in hard work to achieve my goals. What sets me apart from others is probably my experiences with real world problems and my ability to use those said experiences to better myself and others.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can definitely feel free to follow me, stream and share my music, send me feedback, anything really! It always feels good to get support from others. I am also open to collaborations of all kinds!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/angel-di-amant%C3%A9/1651336617
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDOwWki876i3YTPDBGFPCg
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/angel_di_amante
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ik36XxL0fWRrAOEyF1O60
Image Credits
Adrian Alexander Yi-Hernandez
