Meet JohnPaul ” PoLo” Ormaza of POLO (Products Of Lifes Obstacles) LLC in North Miami

Today we’d like to introduce you to JohnPaul ” PoLo” Ormaza.

JohnPaul, before we jump into specific questions about your music, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been musically inclined since I could remember. I always felt it flow through me, and my passion for it only grew stronger as the years passed. I started writing at an early age of about 10 years old after being introduced to hip-hop, and just falling in love with some of the rhyme schemes I used to hear from artist like Nas, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Slick rick just to name a few for the way they painted pictures with their words. Throughout the years the lines in between the paper I wrote on became my place of solace from turmoil going on in my life at the time. I can honestly say music saved me from a lot of things, including myself throughout my adolescent years.

Fast forward a few years and things got a little dark back home in New York so I decided to start over and reunite with my mother and younger sister out here in Miami after they had left NY the year prior. Funny how life works out that unbeknownst to me once I moved into the building they were in I ended up befriending a couple of people who at the time were part of the entourage of now world renowned artist Pitbull during the time his rise to fame was beginning, so finding a studio to record in wasn’t hard to come by.

After I stepped in the booth for the first time and then receiving nothing, but positive feedback helped me to break out of my shell, and gave me the confidence I needed to push me over the hump to finally get serious about my passion. Once I decided how I was going to approach this new venture I decided it was going to be more than just music. Music was going to be my segue to making a tangible positive impact on the world and those who listen. Here is where the branding came into play. I decided Instead of giving myself a stage name, I’ll just use my nickname since birth(PoLo), and give it an acronym that every, and anyone would be able to relate to, and that is (Product Of Lifes Obstacles), cause in the grand scheme of things that is what we all are. Spreading positivity, and motivating others is something I’ve always aspired to do, so I decided to donate proceeds of all sales of music, and merchandise to different causes every month that may need it from veterans to St. Judes children’s hospital, and so forth.

Staying true to myself, and my craft I’ve been able to not just continue to grow my following but it has also led me to the highlight of my career which was capturing the ear of Naim McNair the VP of A&R’s at Republic records out in Los Angeles a couple of years back and have been on their radar ever since, and so my journey continues and while on the way to the top I hope to help and impact as many people as I can. I want to show them nothing is unattainable with faith, persistence and a strong hustle, but above all to show them that in me they’ll always have someone that relates to them no matter the situation.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like the saying goes, nothing good comes easy, and if it comes easy it isn’t good. Some of the struggles one faces are the self-doubt when certain things don’t work out as planned. Outside factors as well that would start affecting my writing, or my planning for different projects. In this entertainment business you really do come across a lot of snakes that try to bring you down with them or try to manipulate you into steering away from the road that you are on, but as long as you’re able to maintain your dignity and honor there aren’t any obstacles you can’t overcome.

We’d love to hear more about your what you do.
I decided to create my own independent label as I mentioned in the beginning and currently, I’m the labels lone artist. As a business, my main objective is to. As mentioned before, be able to donate and help as many causes and charities as I can as I continue to grow as an artist and as a business. I’m a one man team in every aspect of the term. I do all the marketing, branding, managing of sales, booking of shows and studio time, to writing and selecting all the material to distribute. I design all logos as well so basically a one stop shop. What I believe sets me apart from most is how I look to impact others aside from providing music to groove and relate to. I’m most proud of me remaining consistent in my message, and my music, never selling out for the latest sound or trends. Trends are only momentary. I want what I do to have an impact that last’s hopefully forever. Timeless music and timeless actions leave a lasting positive impression on those I’ve reached.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory as a child….this one actually had me stuck for a bit, but I would have to say the brief time my late older brother Giovanni came into my life when I was 14. It was awesome to know the feeling of having an older brother to help guide me a bit during my early teenage years. And even though he walked out of my life a short while after entering it I never forgot the advice he gave or the moments he came to watch me play basketball and being the loudest person cheering in the crowd. I never held any ill feelings toward him. I was just thankful for the times I got to spend with him.

Pricing:

• P.O.L.O Concrete rose black snapback hats – $30 (S&H included) 10% donated
• P.O.L.O – SOULdiers Creed EP USB -$15 (S&H included) 10% donated
• P.O.L.O- Product of Life’s Obstacles EP (CD) $15 (S&H included) 10% donated

Contact Info:

• Website: Therealpolo.com
• Phone: 786-378-9232
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealpolo/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/THEREALPOLO

Image Credit:
Michy Raw

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