From YouTube cover videos to a national tour, R&B singer SoMo’s life has drastically changed in the past three years.
SoMo, born Joseph Somers-Morales, gained popularity from the song covers he recorded for his YouTube channel. His most popular cover, the “Drake Medley” video, has been viewed more than 4 million times since its upload in 2011.
SoMo’s father played in a band called “Duck Soup” and influenced SoMo as a musician. With his father often away, he said he didn’t embrace his musical talents immediately.
It wasn’t until 2009, when SoMo’s mother unexpectedly brought him a piano for Christmas, that he taught himself how to play by ear. The piano represented the sign he needed to pursue music.
As his career is beginning to grow, SoMo has moved away from YouTube. This change doesn’t mean he has completely forgotten about his subscribers. He has created “SoMo Sundays,” a weekly cover series, to cater to his online fans.
The rise in fame encouraged SoMo to create an independent mixtape entitled “My Life,” which includes his radio single “Ride.” As the song gained popularity, SoMo began touring and signed a record deal with Republic Records. The artist is now preparing for his major label debut.
SoMo said he hopes the album will show new fans who he is as an artist. He said his self-titled debut album will highlight his musical “attention to detail” and showcase his writing skills.
“I feel like I’ve earned my own way in music. People will label me what they want, but I know that I’m more than some covers,” SoMo said.
Each song that SoMo writes stems from a real-life experience. He said his talent as a songwriter is just as important to his career as singing is.
“Whether it’s about sex, love, happy times or sad times, I try to make my music come from a real place,” SoMo said.
Critics have likened SoMo to other R&B artists such as Usher and Mario. He said this comparison comes from the emotion he puts into his music.
SoMo emphasized his favorite part of his career is performing in front of an audience. He mentioned the rewards of a live performance outweigh the labor and travel fatigue he experiences.
“When I see a person sing a song that came from my mind, it confirms that I’m doing something right with my career,” SoMo said.
SoMo will be performing at the Varsity Theatre tonight at 9 p.m. Tickets are $23 and can be purchased at The Chimes Restaurant, over the phone at 866-777-8932 or online at ticketweb.com.
SoMo said tonight’s show will be a “romantic rage.” He mentions that despite being low in energy, the performance will be high in emotion as he performs songs from his upcoming album.
Even through his new fame, SoMo promises to keep the intimacy he shares with his fans.
“No matter how big I become, I will always want to connect with the people,” SoMo said.

“When I see a person sing a song that came from my mind, it confirms that I’m doing something right with my career.”

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