Today we’d like to introduce you to Calogeno.
Hi Calogeno , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts in Oakland, California. I grew up surrounded by culture, energy, and a lot of heart. Music and the arts were always around me, but most of my early years were spent on the field—football, basketball, baseball. Sports taught me a lot about discipline, teamwork, and how to push through. I always had an ear for sound but it was around middle school when I really started falling in love with the music.
I recorded my first song in 7th grade, and from that moment,I knew it wasn’t just a hobby. I kept making music all through high school, and people in the city started showing love. We performed at school events, proms, threw local shows around the Bay—it was grassroots, but it was real.
Right after graduating high school, I took the leap and moved straight to Hollywood with a dream bigger than my pockets. I moved to Chicago, back in the Bay, then back to L.A. always maintaining the vision. Every city gave me something different , new sounds, new energy, new lessons. I’m 27 now, and I feel like I’m just getting started. Im more hungry than ever. The vision’s clearer than ever. This journey’s far from over, and I’m grateful for every step.
-Calogeno
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been plenty of struggles along the way ,more than most people ever see. One of the biggest has been staying consistent through all the ups and downs. This path doesn’t come with a roadmap, and chasing a dream like this means dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Financially, emotionally, mentally. Its not always easy to keep going when the results don’t show up right away.
There were times I questioned if I was doing the right thing. Times I had to move cities without knowing what was next. I’ve slept on couches, worked random jobs to fund studio time, and dealt with people who didn’t believe in the vision. But all of that taught me patience, resilience, and how to trust my gut.
What’s kept me going is the love for the music and the belief that my story has a purpose. Every struggle added something to the sound, to the message, and to who I am. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist in every sense. I rap, I sing, I write, I perform. But more than anything, I tell stories. I specialize in making music that feels real, something people can connect with on a deeper level. Whether it’s pain, love, struggle, or ambition, I try to translate those emotions into sound in a way that feels honest and timeless.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to myself through it all. In a world where a lot of people chase trends, I’ve stuck to my own lane. I’ve grown, evolved, and experimented but never lost that core of who I am. I’ve built everything I have from the ground up, and I’ve done it without cutting corners or faking it.
What sets me apart is my voice , literally and figuratively. My tone, my delivery, my perspective, it all comes from a real place. I’ve lived what I talk about, and I think that resonates. There’s a level of depth and soul in my music that people feel. And as much as I love the craft, I also care about the impact. I want my music to stick with people. Not just for the moment, but for years to come.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just about numbers, fame, or awards, those are not the end goal. I define success as being able to live off your passion, staying true to who you are, and impacting people along the way. If my music can help somebody get through a tough time, or even inspire them to chase their own dream, that’s success to me.
It’s also about freedom. Creative freedom. Life freedom. Being able to move how I want, building wealth and taking care of my people while doing what I love. Every step forward towards that is a win in itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youtu.be/41-w04F_0-k
- Instagram: https://youtu.be/A4mzhOQiaPs
- Facebook: https://youtu.be/0rb9kMwFFSw
- Twitter: https://youtu.be/UnCnixcdfEU
- Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/calogenojohnson?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Yelp: https://www.tiktok.com/@calogenoo?_t=ZP-8vG99MzaDLa&_r=1
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/60huXjZpa8adpafpB9Lag8?si=slHPfK_rT_-LjRCxBE5Jlg
