When Onotez stumbled across an old cassette of his four-year-old self singing gospel melodies, it stopped him cold. Not just because of the nostalgia, but because it confirmed something he’d spent years wrestling with: this voice—his voice—was always meant to be heard.
Born and raised in San Diego, CA, and shaped by the harmonies of choir practice in a Nebraska church he attended during summer, Onotez carried his gift quietly, unsure whether he’d ever step fully into it. That changed in 2024, with the release of his debut single. For him, it wasn’t just a track—it was a reckoning. Proof that he no longer needed permission to take up space.
His sound is rooted in soul but resists easy classification. One track might echo the smoky groove of D’Angelo, another leans into stripped-back gospel, while the next ventures into bluesy alt-pop territory.
“I don’t write genres, I write feelings,” Onotez says—a statement that tracks with his story. He’s not chasing trends; he’s chasing truth. And for years, that truth was complicated by self-doubt. Despite constant encouragement from friends and collaborators, imposter syndrome kept him on mute.
“People believed in me long before I did,” he admits. “I just wasn’t ready to hear it.”
The turning point wasn’t some dramatic industry co-sign or viral moment. It was a hit upload on his first song.
“It felt like jumping off a cliff,” he says. “But the second I let it go, I realized I could fly.”
The track gained quiet momentum, slowly building a listenership and, more importantly, restoring his confidence.
Now, with a debut EP slated for late 2025, Onotez is in full motion. The project promises to reflect his full range—from Sunday morning spirituals to late-night ballads.
“It’s me putting my whole self out there. No hiding.”
While some artists chase numbers, Onotez focuses on connection. His following is small but loyal, drawn in by his openness and raw honesty. He hosts intimate IG Lives where fans can ask questions, hear works-in-progress, or just vibe.
“No viral moments, just real ones,” he says with a shrug.
That grassroots energy spills into his plans for his first headline shows—small rooms, warm lights, voices raised in unison. The kind of rooms where you don’t just hear the music—you feel it.
Beyond music, he’s also eyeing new creative territory—acting and storytelling in all forms. Still, impact is the goal, not accolades.
“I want my music to be that friend you didn’t know you needed,” he says. And it’s not just a line—there’s a quiet sincerity behind it. After all, for Onotez, the journey isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about finally honoring who he’s always been.
Those old tapes weren’t just recordings. They were reminders—of courage, calling, and a voice that’s no longer afraid to rise.