Hiro Bernardo is soaring high as “Icarus,” but his wings won’t be melting off any time soon.

  The senior has garnered over 17,000 views on five songs he’s made under the name “Hiro Kamo!” on SoundCloud.        

  “SoundCloud is a great platform for aspiring artists. Making music and growing an audience is easier than ever,” said Bernardo. Bernardo cited Lil Uzi Vert, Trippie Redd, Travis Scott, and Juice WRLD as the inspirations behind his melodic rapping style. Lil Uzi Vert started out on SoundCloud, much like many of the rappers that now sit at the top of the rap charts.

  While SoundCloud has gotten him exposure, Bernardo credited his growth locally to social media, friends, and classmates around Eastern. “I’m thankful for the exposure and support I’ve been getting, but I think I can keep pushing for a bigger audience. I’ll always strive for more.”

  A part of posting things online is dealing with hate, but that does not bother Bernardo much. “I don’t really [care] about hate. My music isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. If it’s negative criticism, I still appreciate it. It’s something to learn from.”

  Bernardo is planning on going to Rowan University as a music industry major. “I want to be a performing artist, but I am also interested in getting into producing music. I started getting into music as a producer before an artist actually.” Modern rappers, many of them teenagers, have found a new way of cutting out agents, producers, and publishers and getting their music directly to an audience.

  Bernardo and other young artists use beats uploaded by up and coming producers online. All they have to do is put their own music over it.

  “It’s promotion for both sides. But if I plan on releasing the song on streaming platforms, I’ll have to buy exclusive rights to the beat.” Bernardo added. “I find producers to work with on YouTube or SoundCloud. A lot of producers are eager to work with artists and vice versa. If I like a beat that someone uploaded, I’ll use it and send them the song afterwards.” Bernardo is one of many young artists that are leading a new era of music. Thanks to streaming services like SoundCloud and Spotify, more talent than ever has flooded the music industry and taken hold of a booming generation.

  Next up for Bernardo? A new single titled “Bittersweet” and hopes of a career in music fueled by his talent and tenacity.

  Hiro Bernardo is well on his way.