We caught up with the brilliant and insightful URIEL BRG a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

URIEL, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I released my first full song when I was 21, but it wasn’t because I lacked interest or passion—it was mainly because I didn’t have the right connections, access to instruments, or knowledge of music theory. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had started my music career in 2015—perhaps I’d be much more established by now.

When I was 14, I started learning a lot of new things, such as programming languages like PHP and HTML, which still come in handy today—I even programmed my own website! When I was 17, I experimented a little with game development, but I couldn’t get very far with it. After that, I explored audiovisual production, but the cost of cameras and gear made it difficult to pursue.

Music wasn’t my thing until I turned 18, I began studying music theory, focusing on opera and vocal production. Looking back, I think starting earlier would have only made sense if I’d had the knowledge I do now. In the end, I believe every skill I’ve gained has shaped my journey as an artist because, to me, being an artist means creating interesting storytelling, melodies, videos, and connections with an audience who can relate to your art. Ultimately, I think everything happened the way it was meant to.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello! I’m a singer-songwriter from Brazil, performing under the stage name URIEL BRG (stylized in all caps). My passion for music has been a guiding force in my life since I was 14 years old. Growing up in the favelas of São Paulo, I never imagined I could make a living as a musician. Opportunities were limited, and pursuing music felt like an impossible dream.

When I turned 18, without any formal training, I immersed myself in learning how to produce music independently. I began by remixing tracks from other artists and uploading them to YouTube. Those remixes gained traction, and while I wasn’t able to monetize them, the experience was invaluable in honing my skills and building a small but dedicated social media following.

This year I joined the Recording Academy and released a track that will likely be featured on my debut album tracklist. I’m also preparing to drop a wave of new music leading up to its release. My sound isn’t confined to a single genre—one moment I might be singing over a funky jazz track, and the next I’m screaming my lungs out on a punk indie-rock song. At the moment, I’m producing both my debut and sophomore studio albums at once, and I’m really proud of how they’re shaping up. Sharing this new chapter of my music is something I’m truly excited about.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having the ability to influence and inspire meaningful conversations with my audience. Whether it’s political discussions, mental health struggles, or relationship dynamics. Being able to express these themes through my voice, or even through a new piece of work, and see how it resonates with people is incredibly fulfilling. Art has the power to shape perspectives and influence a generation. So knowing that my creativity can contribute to that dialogue is what makes it truly rewarding.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Losing my older brother in a work accident was an incredibly difficult time for my family. He had been helping us cover the bills, and his absence left both an emotional and financial void. I’ll never forget overhearing a phone call between my older sister and my mom, where my sister said she wished she could give our family the life we truly deserved. That conversation hit me deeply. Music was never about money for me, but in that moment I realized how much I didn’t want us to go through the same struggles again—like not being able to buy fresh fruit or replace a broken fridge. From then on, I knew I had to work relentlessly to protect my family from those hardships.

That experience taught me that I don’t need luxury; what matters most is comfort, stability, and sharing unforgettable moments with the people I love. Growing up in the favelas instilled in me a determination to build that kind of life. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve stayed resilient, patient, and strategic. And I’ve learned that working toward what truly matters makes every challenge worthwhile. Many bad people have tried to sabotage my career, but I know my truth—and the more they try, the stronger I become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.urielbrg.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/urielbrg
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@urielbrg
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/urielbrg
• Other: http://linktr.ee/urielbrg

Image Credits

Spencer H / Fuse Agency