Singer-songwriter London Porrasze is a California-bred artist based in Miami looking to make a major mark on the world of pop and R&B. His music comes from his spirit, and that spirit is born of a troubled childhood that saw the youngster have to confront pain and loss at a very young age; both with his mother’s death and the abuse by his father.
“I knew music was going to be a big part of my life when I was around 12. I had just lost my mother and music was the only thing that helped me escape my current issues. I listened to artists that I could relate to and it helped me with the situation that I was going through,” London says.
“After my mother’s death, the physical abuse started at home and that’s when my rebellion started and I started turning more to music,” he adds. “Music was my therapy at the time.”
As the then-teenager was coping with the loss of his mom and the abuse of his dad, he immersed himself in the only thing that he saw as a refuge.
“Music was my release because it was always present in my home,” London shares. “Rummaging through my parents collection, they had all of these rock bands — the Beatles and the Bee Gees — I always had the accessibility to reach. When I hit a stretch in my life where it became a little dark, music was the only thing that I recognized that made me feel good. It brought back memories of my mother. I guess it’s in my blood.
“I started just writing about what I was going through and my feelings and eventually started producing my own videos. I got the attention of some people and that’s when I decided that I was going to pursue this. Nothing excited me as much as what I was doing with music. I’ve never gotten bored— it’s my passion.”
Now, with his passion becoming his profession, London is witnessing his life transform and his dreams become realized in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
“Last year, when I got invited to tour abroad and to have my first video, which I directed, premiere in France at a music festival alongside people like David Guetta, that was amazing,” he says. “That was my ‘Wow!’ moment.”
And in taking his first steps towards stardom, London has developed a tough skin and a keen eye for who he should surround himself with.
“You have to learn how to take criticism and be careful who you trust,” London says. “You have to be on top of your game and have faith in yourself. “It’s a tough business and you’re going to meet all kinds of people. I’ve met amazing people thus far and I’m very happy with who I’m collaborating with so far.”
Moving from the West Coast to Miami was boon for the young artist, and he has adopted South Florida as his musical and spiritual home. He says that the city has become a major source of inspiration for him. He just released a cover of the late Amy Winehouse’s hit “You Know That I’m No Good” in recognition of the anniversary of her passing. Hard at work on his album, he’s enjoying the love and direction he’s gotten since he switched coasts.
“Meeting people here in Miami led me to touring abroad in Europe,” he shares. “I love Miami. It’s become my city, I love it here. My sound varies. I try to go with what I’m feeling but there’s definitely a lot of soul in there. Growing up, I listened to a lot of oldies and hip-hop and R&B. But I’ve tried to mesh it all and create my own sound.”
