Amariyah Mallory 
R&B artist ColdHeart Cam was among the many performers who graced True Star’s Open Mic stage earlier this year. This young artist is now about to be one of the acts entertaining the crowd at the fourth annual From the ‘Go Fest. Learn more about him by reading below.
What does it mean to you to perform at the FTG Fest?
To me, performing at the From The ‘Go Fest is a huge thing because I get to put on for the city in a way, you know. I get to show the city in which I grew up in, what I can do as an artist and it’s nice to be able to give back to the city that helped bring me up.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would describe myself as a soulful artist. You know, someone who puts a lot of emotion into what they write. I’ve always been a person who isn’t afraid to show their emotions. I do show that it’s ok to feel pain, to feel an amount of hurt. It’s okay to be you, it’s ok to be different. You don’t have to be the same person that everyone else wants to be. I would also say that I’m an artist who leaves a message behind every song that I make. I don’t just create music for no reason. I create with a purpose. I want a message to be heard throughout the song.
How did your passion for music begin?
My passion for music began when my brother and sister would bring over their artist friends and they would tell them he sings, he does poetry, he does all these things. Eventually, they convinced me to start writing and listening to beats and take a chance on what I could do and I eventually found the confidence to do a performance and I had no confidence in myself whatsoever until I competed and I came second place against 50 other artists and at that moment I realized these people really think I’m good. These people told me I have the potential to be a star. When people were telling me that, it was like I might actually have a chance at doing what I’ve always wanted to do.
When did you know you wanted to pursue music?
Well, I mean, like I said, ever since I was a kid, I’ve always done poetry, and I’ve always written. But I really knew that I wanted to make music when I was in middle school and I was in some of the middle school play productions. And I’ve always wanted to be on stage and sing. And so I knew then and there that one day I wanted to start making music, but I just didn’t know how.
Who are your musical influences?
One of them, and probably who I get compared to the most, is probably Wave. A lot of people tell me that I’m the Chicago Rod Wave. I’ll take it because his music really helped me see that it’s okay to not talk about the same thing that everyone else is talking about. You can actually talk about your pain and people will find a way to relate to that. Another big influence on me was, his name is John Bellion. He was probably one of the more influential ones because I’ve always listened to John Bellion since I was in about 4th or 5th grade and his music always spoke to me on a different level because of how creative he is. He used to make videos about how he would make his song and seeing someone take a small thing and turn it into something major. I want to do that.
How did you come up with your stage name?
My stage name actually stems from how I felt, and how I felt for a while. A Lot of people would tell me I’m very nonchalant, “You’re very cold-hearted.” And you know that always stuck with me, like I guess I got a cold heart. When I started music, my name was supposed to be Cam, but there were one too many people named Cam so I wanted to be something different, something creative, something that someone else isn’t. I sat back and I thought about it and I came up with ColdHeart Cam and it just stuck with me and ever since then, that’s what my name has been.
How would you describe your style as an artist?
My style when it comes to making music is probably kind of weird yet simple. What I do is I listen to a beat, or I’ll find a beat and then I’ll start humming, or like finding the melody, and then, words will eventually come out of that hum. Then I’ll just flow with the beat. I work with the flow of the beat. How I feel when I listen to the beat is what comes out of me when I write the song.
What are your main goals for a music career?
My main goals for my music career, I want to touch the world. Like I want the world to hear me. I want to make it. I want to be something big. I want to go on tours. I want to do all these different shows on the road. I want to live a set life. I’ve always wanted to be on tour. I’ve always wanted to be on stage. I’ve always wanted to listen to other fans sing my songs along with me. That’s the end game. The end game for me is to be something major. Is to be a name in Hollywood, to where when I go out, people know who I am as a person, not just like, “Oh, he’s a celebrity,” but I want people to to understand who I am as a person.
What artists would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’ve always said that if me and Rod Wave ever got the chance to work together that would be something huge for me. Since I’ve started making music I’ve always wanted Rod Wave to hear my sound and say, “Let’s work together.” That’s always been a nice dream of mine. I also want to work with John Bellion because he really brings out the best artist that you could be and I would never want to pass that opportunity up.
Where do you hope to have the opportunity to perform one day?
I hope that one day I can perform at Lollapalooza, Coachella, or Madison Square Garden. I want to sell out Madison Square Garden one day.
What has been the highlight of your musical career thus far?
I would have to say that the highlight of my career thus far would either be having my song played on the radio or having opened up for a few big names in the industry.
What advice would you give to other emerging artists?
Some advice I would give some other artists is, don’t be scared to jump because you don’t know what’s at the bottom. What I mean by that is don’t be scared to put your best foot forward and to don’t be scared to take that leap of faith and try and do what you’ve always wanted to do. Like, if you’ve been scared to do it, don’t be scared to do it. Don’t think about it. Just do it. So take that leap of faith, and follow your dream.
What are your hobbies outside of music?
Outside of music I like basketball, you know basketball is one of those things me and my friends can, you know, fall off and do all day. Something else is I’ve always been a game head so, I’m really into gaming.
Be sure to come check out ColdHeart Cam this month at the From The Go fest on July 27th from 1-7 pm at the DuSable Museum. Click here to get a free festival pass!
By Amariyah Mallory, Junior, Whitney Young
IG| Dancemari_
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