Refreshing, expressive and poignant, Cero Ismael’s new body of work AS MUCH AS YOU DID BEFORE is a striking achievement of emotional maturity and sonic expression. 

Featuring previous hit singles like PLANS FOR US and PUBLIK, the project explores the deepest parts of Cero’s own psyche; questioning, reassuring and elevating his whole being whilst coming to terms with his flaws and humanity. The Amsterdam native blends style, rhythm and form to encapsulate his journey of self discovery and acceptance. The release is enhanced by Cero’s work with acclaimed Dam based visual artist Olya Oleinic with the purpose of translating his potent ideas into a visual world.

Ismael will soon be heading out on a EU tour, touching down in Antwerp, London and Berlin, as well as his residing city, to bring the project to the ears of his budding fan base. 

I connected with the Dutch rapper to discuss his musical origins, his lyrical approach, and his impressive work with Oleinic.  

Who is influencing you lately?

Wessel Wolters.

When and why did you first start writing music? 

I started writing music at the age of 11. My dad and grandmother both used to make music, so they have inspired me a lot. Writing music helped me to understand myself and my problems.

How has your upbringing and origins shaped your musical outlook and style? 

My upbringing and origins taught me to do whatever as long as I stand behind it and my heart is in it.

I love your lyrical approach, it’s always brimming with emotion! Do you use writing as a therapeutic release of feelings?

For sure. Writing helped me to understand and process my thoughts a lot.

Sonically, you are quite difficult to pin down. Do you purposefully try and stand out, or is your creativity naturally unique?

I do not think about it too much while creating. But I am trying to create art that has never been created before. I want people to feel and experience something that they have never witnessed before.

How would you stylistically define yourself?

An organized chaos.

Talk me through your work with Olya Oleinic? 

Working with Olya has been such a blessing. Olya has challenged me to dig deeper and I cannot thank her enough for that. We collaborated with four different artists from all over the world. My younger brother Nathan, Olya and I worked on the artwork for PUBLIK, Daddy Hands on IF IT ENDS, Vinna Begin on PLANS FOR US and Hilda Kortei on DAVE BUDHA. We collaborated with these artists because they all tell a person through their art. Our work is also very personal, so it was the right match.

Musically, who would you love to collaborate with? 

I would love to work with Lucki.

How are you feeling about your upcoming EU tour?

I am very excited. I have not played shows for more than two years, so I cannot wait to perform again.

What can we expect from you at a live show?

A beautiful performance by my band and I.

Absolutely love PLANS FOR US! Talk me through the themes and ideas behind your new single?

Thank you so much. PLANS FOR US is about a relation coming to an end, but finding it hard to accept. Is there something like a perfect end? 

What was the creative/recording process?

We started working on the song more than two years ago, It took a while to finish. Right before the end of 2019 I had some sessions at Red Bull Studio to work on Blue Man and had the first demo’s of AMAYDB. PLANS FOR US was one of those demo’s. We recorded the choir over there. Who you hear singing are Elijah Waters, Shadi, Rijnbaart, Ariana Popal and me. It turned out so beautiful. Red Bull and Thomas thank you for that.

If you were introducing yourself to a new listener who’d never heard of you, what track would you play them?

PUBLIK

What’s to come from you? 

I am working on two projects at the moment. One for the end of the summer and the other one at the end of the year. Cannot wait to share those two.