CONTAINED: ARTIST INTERVIEW - CICERO

Wearing GUCCI + YEEZY

LONDON BASED SINER/SONGWRITER CICERO ELABORATES ON HER ARTIST NAME, EARLY INSPIRATIONS AND SELF-DIRECTING VISUALS.

“I love creating ideas and concepts, even talking with my clients about it. So to bring some of the inspiration and sounds from other places within my own visuals is something I really want to achieve”

WHAT’S THE BACK STORY BEHIND YOUR ARTIST NAME CICERO?


Cicero: So, I’ve basically had the name for a really long time, I came up with it when I was younger for two reasons and I think it represents the duality within my personality really well. Growing up, I loved the musical Chicago and there’s a song in there called Cicero that references the place in Chicago - and I was like yeah, I love musical theatre and performing so that make sense.

The second reason being, me and my dad love the film Goodfellas and the character Paulie Cicero, so from that point onwards it solidified it for me. I’m picking this name because it represents two sides of myself, I love musical theatre and all the elegant stuff behind that but also I like thug shit to be honest (laughs).

Was there anyone around you whilst growing up that inspired you take a musical path?


Cicero: I would probably have to say my mum, because when I was starting to take it seriously and starting to perform she came to a show of mine at Queen of Hoxton, not really knowing how seriously I wanted to take it. I don’t think she knew how much I could sing because I never really sang in front of my family at that point (laughs). She even made an account on Soundcloud and would listen to my stuff and share it with friends and everything, but I think because she was backing me it gave me the confidence to step in to it - so I knew it was what I wanted to do because my mum believed in me.

if you didn’t pursue a career as a singer, where do you see yourself being today?


Cicero: You know what, funnily enough before singing I was acting. I think if I wasn’t singing, I still would be in the entertainment industry and probably would liked to have been an actress.

IF YOU HAD TO PERFORM AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY OF ONE CELEBRITY, WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?

Cicero: At this current point in time I’m going to say Bree Runway. I just really like her aesthetic, I like her style, I like her sound, I like that she’s this pop star flourishing in this time. Her entire birthday would be sick and I would be able to be extra with what I wear when I perform - so yeah that would be dope (laughs).


Could you name a genre you would like to fuse with your sound?

Cicero: That’s such a good question, there’s so many sounds. One that I haven’t touched on yet might be more like an indie sound or something similar. Because, I love indie music as well, it might be a secret to other people but i’ve always loved all different types of music - but if I got the chance I would try out an indie type track, I think that would be sick.

What HAS BEEN THE biggest obstacle in your career so far?

Cicero: I think for most artists it’s just being told no along the way, people not taking you in or getting used to rejection. It’s difficult and you might send things to people who might not necessarily want to listen to it. That can play with your mental health a bit you know, because you think like “I’m good at this” or “Am I good enough” but I’ve got good people around me so I’ve been cool getting over that and having self belief.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM CICERO IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?

Cicero: In the next 12 months I’d say expect to see a lot more visuals, some directed by me. I’d also say look out for a project, a solid project, all done.. hint hint nudge nudge (laughs). And then finally I would say a lot of shows, thats what I really want to be doing alongside working with more artist’s who are bigger than myself right now.

We heard you mention that you want to direct more videos, is this something you do on the side?

Cicero: So I produce visuals for artist’s anyway, so sometimes on certain occasions I might be the AD on set for their music video which is pretty sick. So I wanna try my hand at directing visuals for myself now,  because I love creating ideas and concepts and even talking with my clients normally about it. So to bring some of the inspiration and sound from other places within my own visuals is something I want to do as well.

LISTEN TO “CICERO” BELOW: