Rapper Sero turns his insides out in his songs. That scares him “sometimes,” as the Berliner reveals in an interview.
Sero is one of the rising stars of the German music scene: The Berlin rapper with the profound lyrics now dares the balancing act between rap and pop. “I was never a fan of genre boundaries and dogmas in art. I just do what I want,” says Stefan Hergli, his native name, in an interview with spot on news. The musician proves how that sounds on his new album “Moonlight”, which will be released on September 9th.
They’re moving away from rap more and more. What bothers you about today’s rap?
Sero: I would never put it myself in such a way that I’m “moving away from rap more and more”. But what’s true is that I’m opening up more and more musically and dare to become much more melodic. I’ve never been a fan of genre boundaries and dogmas in art. I just do what I want.
Can you express yourself better if you sing instead of rapping?
Sero: Singing and rapping are both highly emotional processes for me. I do both like my life depends on it. I put in everything that I am.
You had insomnia for many years, which is also reflected in your new album “Moonlight”. What did you do about it and how are you today?
Sero: Those are processes I’m still stuck in. Of course, the basis is formed by the obvious strategies: establishing a sleep rhythm, no television in bed, sport, fresh air, etc. In some phases, that helps quite a bit. But sometimes it’s worse. I’m still looking for answers and solutions myself, but I think it’s relatively deep.
The album is very ambivalent, there are feel-good songs, but also sad and thoughtful tracks. How does it reflect your life?
Sero: (laughs) The feel-good songs are just disguised. It was kind of fun for me to create songs that seem a bit summery at first listen, but still have this melancholic second level. Summer time sadness [im Deutschen etwa: “Sommertraurigkeit”, Anm. d. Red.] is my thing. On the subject of how my life is reflected in the songs: It reflects my life. I can’t say otherwise.
The song “Don’t Forget” is about the feeling of not being wanted. When did you feel like this in your life?
Sero: Unfortunately often. At school, in love, in society… Unfortunately, I often feel this way.
Do you have any tips for people who are currently experiencing the same thing?
Sero: One should never change for the sake of others. Your uniqueness is your greatest treasure. You are valuable just the way you are, nobody is better than you (and nobody is worse than you). Looking for, finding and going your own way is far more difficult than following pre-determined paths. But the big advantage is that in the end you arrive at a destination that suits you.
In your songs you turn your inside out. Do you sometimes find that difficult?
Sero: It scares me sometimes. But I’ve gotten into the habit of doing things that scare me.
In an interview you once described your path in life as chaotic. What is your advice to young people who have not yet found themselves?
Sero: Take your time, no need to rush. At the end of the day, the race you think you have to win is only one against you. You decide the pace. And above all: Don’t be too hard on yourself, life is hard enough as it is. If you haven’t found the master plan for you yet, don’t worry: nobody I know has. You just have to keep moving, the rest will take care of itself.
You go on tour in October. What are you most looking forward to?
Sero: I missed people’s energy so much. The last few years have been a bit tough as an artist, no festivals, no concerts, etc. I’m going to go crazy on stage and let it all out. I’m looking forward to this tour like nothing else. It’s going to be magical.
You made your acting debut in 2020 in “Tatort: Borowski and the Curse of the White Seagull”. Did you enjoy it? Would you like to expand your acting career further? What would you like?
Sero: Shooting “Tatort” was one of the coolest experiences of my life, a real childhood dream. And then to make his debut in the “Tatort” in Kiel, alongside Axel Milberg, under the direction of Hüseyin Tabak, of course that felt like an accolade. I would very much like to make more trips into the acting industry. Let’s see what other possibilities the universe will reveal to me. The thing I would love to do the most is play a real asshole, some Draco Malfoy type [Figur aus “Harry Potter”, Anm. d. Red.]. I already look like this.
Source: Stern
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