America…get ready for a new teen R&B singing sensation. His name is Bera and he’s 16 years old. Hailing from Paris but calling the Republic of Georgia home, this talented musician is a bonafied musical phenomenon. Per his website bio:
“Gifted with perfect pitch, he was handed a violin at age 5 and started piano two years later. He’s classically trained, but it’s his love for jazz that has him motivated to create.”
Perfect pitch…violin…piano…is there anything this boy can’t do? Despite having music big whigs like Rob Fusari (Lady Gaga) and Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson, Britney Spears) behind him 100%, Bera wanted to do things his way, starting his own record label called Georgian Dream. Sticking with his fiery passion for music and determination to succeed, Bera wrote every single track on his upcoming debut. According to Bera, the album has a fun, up-tempo club persona as well as a more laid back, “loverboy, romantic side.” Bera’s first single, the Rob Fusari-produced “Favorite Things,” is a slick, mid-tempo R&B jam, very reminiscent to me of early JoJo in it’s innocent yet mature songwriting style. According to Bera,
“I really love ‘Favorite Things’ because it shows who I am. In three minutes it shows my universe. Everything I say in my songs comes from something real.”
Bera‘s follow up to “Favorite Things” is a song called “Don’t Worry,” which is a bit more club-friendly than it’s predecessor. The song was produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who also produced the more up-tempo “Light It Up,” which according to Bera’s Twitter, will be “dropping soon.” While Bera is influenced by modern R&B and hip-hop styles, his musical influences certainly aren’t one note. Bera is passionate about a wide array of musical styles and artists, influenced by both jazz and soul music and citing legendary entertainers such as Tupac, Michael Jackson, Notorious B.I.G., Barry White, Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz to name a few. Another big influence in Bera‘s music? Love, of course.
“My songs are very seductive. When I write a song I picture a girl and I’m writing that song for her, even if she doesn’t exist. Even when I write with pain I write it cause of the love.”
While Bera may be young, musically-he’s mature beyond his years. Not only does this come through in his songwriting but also in his humble attitude about success and fame.
“When someone thinks about me or my music I want them to smile. I don’t need to be a superstar. I don’t want to be that untouchable guy. I want to be like you and I want you to feel my music and enjoy it with me. I just want to share my feelings.”
Download “Favorite Things” on U.S. iTunes HERE or “Don’t Worry” HERE. Look for his next single “Light It Up” as well as his debut album, due out later this year. Bera is definitely one to watch. Check out the sexy Ray Kay-directed music video for “Favorite Things” below.