Growing up in the suburbs of Metro Atlanta, Ser Amari discovered his love for music, but he felt like something wasn’t right. The south just wasn’t his “vibe” (a discomfort acutely expressed in his most streamed song, “east atl.”). So, he packed his bags and love of music and moved to New York City to study Recorded Music at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute.
“I felt like a city school was more my vibe than a school in the middle of nowhere,” he states on his confidence in his cross-country move. ”I knew it would give me the freedom that I needed to be a creative and focus on my career while also pursuing my degree, and I truly believe that was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
One of his biggest takeaways, and a skill he often harnesses, is the power of collaboration. As a genre-bender himself, often taking inspiration across R&B, punk and jazz, the main thing he looks for is someone who truly loves what they make as an individual, oftentimes that passion is also the sign of a technically good musician. Throughout the years of working with so many different artists, like his producer Tbreck and popular collaborator 408Darwin, he has developed and eye and an ear for possible collaborations from miles away.
In artistic endeavors, he looks for two things in possible collaborators, “The first – I have to agree with the message of the project and the message that the artist portrays as a whole. Not because I have an image to maintain but because I don’t believe in contributing to causes that I don’t believe in.”
In order to keep his music as sacred and personal as possible he has set out to not please anyone but himself, “The second – I’m not really interested in collaborations that bore me. Sometimes artists will make boring art solely for the sake of numbers or connections; I’m not interested in making boring art,” Amari says on how he stays away from instant gratification.
Amari has always gone where life has taken him, and is appreciative of every step he’s taken along the way.
From here on out, however, things are going to change a little. “THE ART OF THE ARTERY.” took everything out of him, now he’s not only planning his next creative endeavor, but also learning how to create art in a way that is sustainable for himself.
“When I create my next project I want it to feel even more innovative and cohesive than the last,” Amari explains on his future goals. “I’ll get back into project mode whenever I feel recovered and ready but, for now, ‘dinner for two.’ will be the first of many standalone singles that I have planned to release this year.”
Written and Interviewed by Stella Feinstein
Photography by Sophia Keefe
Production Assistant: Stella Feinstein
Videography: Geo Mojica
Special Thank You: Gracie Kahn