Universal Music is partnering with super producer RedOne (Michael Jackson, Sean Kingston, Enrique Iglesias, Akon, and Lady Gaga) on a new label, 2101 Records, and is launching with the unique powerhouse talent of Mohombi. The 23-year-old singer/songwriter was born to a Swedish mother and Congolese father, and draws on his diverse cultural heritage to create a musical style that is as distinctive as it is universal. Combining African influences with a global pop sensibility, Mohombi’s style and sound – as well as his distinctive dance moves – are destined for worldwide success.

The undulating, dancehall grooves of first single “Bumpy Ride” serve as introduction to the urgency of Mohombi’s sound as well as a parallel to his own life’s “bumpy ride.” Raised in Congo, Mohombi and his family escaped the war-torn country for Stockholm, Sweden in 1998. It was there that he and his brother, a local club DJ, formed the group Avalon, combining the dancehall and hip hop of the time with the distinctive African beats on which they were raised. From 2004 to 2008 the group sold over half a million records and won an African Grammy, while Mohombi became a prolific songwriter in his own right. At this point music was only a part-time job, and looking for something more Mohombi headed to LA. There he was introduced through friends to producer RedOne, whose own background is Swedish-Morrocan. The two clicked instantly, and are now set to release the young star’s debut album ‘Movemeant‘ early next year.

The video for “Bumpy Ride” was shot in Miami and was directed by Gil Green (Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Akon) and perfectly captures Mohombi’s feel-good vibe. Experience his sound firsthand by watching the video, and visit Mohombi.com for all the latest updates. “Bumpy Ride” is available for download now on iTunes.

I had the chance to speak to Mohombi, about things such as his interest in music, his goals, and his hobbies. You can read about that below.

When did you first realize you had an interest in music, and what sparked that interest?

I think growing up in a family of 15 siblings and being the youngest, it just comes naturally to me. We each had our own taste, artists, and influences and I was like a vacuum machine and just sucked all those in. I started young, I was the entertainer of the family. We’d have get-togethers’ or parties and I was the one dancing on the table and singing. I loved it. But I think the ‘Wow, I can make this my job, make this my dream’ moment for me was when I was 16 years old and we won the African Grammy Award. It was the moment that I realized I can actually make this my living and pursue it further.

How would you describe the sound of your music, and how do you feel your music is different from others in your genre?

I would describe it as definitely a pop-influenced. What makes it different is it’s a blend of African influences from when I lived in Congo and a mix of Sweden pop. It’s broad, its North and it’s South. I call it global pop.

How did you break into the music industry?

My brothers and I we moved from Congo to Sweden as young teenagers and were free from our parents because they stayed behind so it was kinda like ‘Ok, what do we do now?’ I started rapping when I was 10 or 11 back in Congo and when we went to Sweden it opened us up to a world unknown. We slowly started networking and getting session time in the studio. It was a long bumpy ride, and this was all back in 2000.

What are some of your short term and long term goals? What are your plans for promoting your music and upcoming album in the US?

Short term would be to continue whatever I am doing. My favorite part out of all of this is to be on stage. I’m an entertainer, it’s my gift to share and to use. Long term would be to just sing. Music is what I love the most. It’s a tool to do greater things. My entire family is still back in Congo, building things up, and I want to be able to use music and my influences to help build in Congo. My plans for promoting my music in the US is just to grind. To be where I have to be. It’s a big country and I love to travel.

Besides music, what are some of your hobbies?

Music (laughs.) I love to watch movies and to be around family. They are my support system, so whenever I have the chance to be around them I am. I love to socialize with people because I hate to be alone.

Who are some of your musical influences, and who are some artists you would love to work with?

I know it’s going to sound cliche, but I’m all about entertaining and performing and there was no one better than that than Michael Jackson, so he’s been a big influence to me. As for who I’d love to work with, I’d love to work with people like the upcoming artists. There are a new wave of amazing artists coming, like Drake. He’s a new artist with amazing talent so I’d love to work with him. Also Robyn from Sweden. She’s great. Just people with their own style and vibe. I appreciate that.

What drives you the most to do what you love? What inspires you?

People inspire me. Walking around in LA you see so many different people and it’s like ‘Where have you been all my life?’ (laughs) Traveling inspires me. Hearing so many different languages inspires me. I speak 6 languages myself, so that’s helped me along the way. What drives me is my love for music. It’s all I’ve been doing since I was 12 years old. Development drives me. I’m improving my skills every year, and that motivates me. It drives me through and keeps me aiming at the objective.

What is your favorite song on your upcoming album and why?

Oh, that’s a tough one! My favorite song would have to be ‘Loving America’ because it speaks and talks about who I am, my journey, and following my dreams and achieving my goals. It speaks about who I am and where I come from.

What sort of feelings do you hope your fans will have from listening to your upcoming album?

I definitely hope the main feeling, the prime feeling, is joy because I am a positive person. I love life, I enjoy life, and I am trying to transmit that to people through my music. I hope they feel happy when listening to it and I hope it makes people feel good.

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Images Via: TotalAssault