HE QUIT his job in 2019 and for him, it’s liberating.
Taking a huge leap of faith to pursue music fulltime was not easy for singer-song writer Blaine C. Nasser. He had a stable job in a corporate world before, but Blaine knew deep inside it is not his home, music is.
For the past decade, Blaine already had made a mark in the industry following his viral video and a television feature. He was also part of the Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5-born boy band Next Option.
But today is a different story. He has to work harder in pursuing his passion as a solo artist.
“I quit my job since last year just to give a career in music a shot. Honestly, it's really challenging. And it's been a learning experience with each song I've released so far. But I have people behind me who I put my full trust that I'd eventually be where I needed to be,” he shared.
The 25-year-old musician added that same as everybody else pursuing music as a career, he wasn’t taken seriously with his passion. His parents wanted him to pursue a career in medicine, but he explained it well to them that it is not the path he wants to take. His parents eventually understand.
The beginning of his passion in music
Music, introduced by his father, was already a big part of his life even when he was still young.
“At first it was just for fun. I thought it was cool when I emulate my dad every time he sings. I remember when I was still a kid, I was singing Air Supply, Bryan Adams, Chicago, and Michael Learns to Rock,” the Bachelor of Science in Biology-graduate said.
His other influences were Brian McKnight and Usher.
“This somehow became my foundation with my singing and the genre I pursued, which is R&B,” he added. He also mentioned that he is inspired by Ed Sheeran, who sings and writes his own material.
Gains and challenges of going solo
“As with the other members of Next Option, going solo lets me express myself in a different way and a different sound,” he said.
He also said it allows him to explore more his music and artistry.
In his years long in the industry, he often entertains the idea of quitting brought by his own insecurities and self doubts.
“I always ask myself if I'm going to make it or not or if I'm good enough. I feel like I'm already at the time of my life considering moving on and giving up on my dream because of how old I am,” he shared.
But what kept him going are the people who keep on believing in his talent.
“I guess the responses of people who heard my songs have been one of the things that encourage me to go on, and it's really fulfilling as an artist when you hear people say that a song I wrote is their favorite, or how people say they want to hear more,” he said.
At present, Blaine recently released a single called “Sa'ting dalawa”, an 80's R&B-inspired ballad about a love fighting against what other people say. It was produced by BLAKH Productions.
In ten years, Blaine sees himself doing more music and performing at bigger stages.
“I believe that if you really want to succeed in your field, quitting is not an option,” Blaine said.