This is Episode 4 of “It Was All A Dream”. If you’re only tuning in now, this is a series about people who are out there in our community living their dreams and inspiring others to do the same.

I never thought Episode 4 would feature a 17 year old teen heartthrob, who reminds me of the old Justin Bieber I used to love. Circa “Baby” (yes I know you know the song by heart).

Anyway, I first heard Daniel Munoz on Instagram. I watched a video of him singing and I felt like a 16 year old fangirl. I reached out to a photographer friend K Visionary who shoots with Daniel and asked him to set it up.

Daniel came to my office and I was so impressed with his maturity. This kid is not only incredibly talented and creative, but his work ethic is better than many people I’ve done business with #sorrynotsorry. Even though Daniel Munoz is already a mini-sensation with over 58K followers on Instagram and multiple fan pages (and a few fake ones), he was incredibly humble and down to earth.

He even managed to inspire this old lady (that looks 24 tho)

Meet Daniel Munoz.

You will be hearing more from him.  Press Play or read the transcript below.

What’s your name?

Daniel Muñoz

What do you do?

I make music and I sing.

How old are you?

17 years old.

You’re so young, I didn’t realize you were only 17! 

Some people actually mistake me for 14 and 15.

When did you start singing?

I think this year, it’s about to hit 3 years.

And how did you start?

A group of friends of mine gassed me up to sing because I was in a group chat and sent a video of me singing. They were all like, “Oh my god, can you send me more? I want to hear!” I sent more videos and they loved it, so then I went on to put up my first Instagram cover and went on to other songs.

So you blew up, basically?

It took time, but before where I got to now, I got the little buzz. After that buzz, you obviously have to keep on going and that’s how I got to where I am now. Now I’m just trying to keep pushing.

Do you write your own music?

Yes.

What inspires you?

Emotions, going through things, and then seeing artists just being able to change their lives with just music. It’s incredible. Music is my way of venting, you know? If I feel something, all I have to do is go write about it. I don’t have to tell anybody. All I have to do is go sit in a room and listen to a beat.

Do you look up to any artists or anybody who has musically inspired your sound?

When it comes to my sound and the music that I make, I would say Bryson Tiller because a lot of his music I can relate to. When it come to really pushing and getting that drive, I would say Dave East. Dave East gives me that push.

That’s awesome. Where are you from?

I’m from Bayonne in Hudson County. Born and raised.

Now I have a question – how has social media played a role in your success as a singer?

Well, obviously today, social media is what gets you out there. Without my supporters and fans, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  Social media plays a big role in the music industry now.

I saw that you have a lot of female fans!

Yeah! It’s crazy, though, because a lot of males support me but they just won’t show it publicly. I would say females is more of what my fanbase looks like.

What’s your genre? How would you define your genre?

I’m really into R&B because, as I said, with emotion…that’s how I can really get into it. I’m getting into pop. I just released a single that has sort of a pop/reggae vibe to it. I would say R&B is more of what I like to do.

Do you have any future projects that you want to talk about?

Right now, I just shot a video to my single “Wait.” After that, I’m trying to get a project out. I’m still focusing on coming up with a title and everything, and I’ll hopefully have the project finished by the end of the summer.

How do you balance everything?

I go to school 5 days a week, so it’s hard for me to go full force with the music, but I’ve been able to balance it equally. With my school, there’s excuses, so if I feel like I’m gonna go to the studio one day and really gonna work, my mom will understand, I’ll just sign the excuse and I’ll be good, I can miss school. It’s hard, but I’m about to graduate this year.

What about your social life? Has this had an effect on your social life?

The thing was that everyone always knew me in my city. When I see girls from my city fangirling over me and I feel like they’ve known me, I’m just like, “What are you doing?” It has increased it a little bit, but I’m just me.

You seem pretty humble about it, that’s good.

Yeah.

What are your dreams?

I want to be able to do what I love. A lot of people are so caught up on what their parents want them to do or what they feel like everyone else is doing, but I just want to do what I want to do.

That’s very mature. 

A lot of people always say that to me, that I have the mentality and already know what I want to do. At a young age, I realized music is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

That’s great! For people listening, do you have any word of advice on how they can do what they love?

Don’t listen to what anybody has to say .That’s the major step. You have to block that out immediately because, once you let everything go into your ear, that’s when you start saying, “Oh, did this really come out good? Is this really what I want to do?” Really, it’s all about just blocking the negativity, focusing on yourself, and you’ll be able to accomplish anything. A lot of people are caught up on focusing on who’s showing love right now, but it’s not even about that. Once you start pushing and driving and everyone sees that you’re doing what you gotta do, that’s when the love comes. I would say to block out the negativity and just do what you love.

It’s all about the journey, right?

Exactly. That’s another thing – it takes time. It’s not a one-night process.

Can you tell me more about the people you’ve worked with, especially in Hudson County?

I’ve worked with Cito.

I love Cito! That’s how I found you. I listened to Ride or Die and was like, “That is a summer jam!” 

Yeah, when me and him made that record, it was in like an hour. I worked with Cito, that’s my boy. Love him to death. I’ve been around Justin Love lately, he’s another up and coming artist. I don’t really collab with a lot of people.

Where do you get your beats?

Clutch Beats NJ! He’s insane. He produced my single, he’s produced a couple of things. I’m hoping that he can produce my whole project. He’s dope. There’s a lot of dope talent in Jersey coming up right now.

How do you go about choosing your beat or your sound?

When you feel it. It’s hard, I’m very picky when it comes to beats. When I’m on YouTube, it takes me hours to find the right beat. Once the beat really clicks, that’s when the hit goes. It all depends on the mood I’m in, how I’m feeling, and that’s when all the lyrics just end up flowing.

That’s awesome. What’s your favorite album you’re listening to these days?

Right now, I’ve been listening to Self Made by Bryson Tiller. That’s one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to Kendrick Lamar’s new album, Drake’s new album a little bit, and I’m waiting on Dave East’s project.

Very cool! Do you have a favorite Jersey City hangout spot, or even in Bayonne?

I don’t really go out as much as I used to. When I’m in Jersey City, it’s usually just when I’m doing business and stuff.

Well, we should get you out here!

Yeah, of course! I’d love to. I don’t really go out a lot that much. Usually, I’m just in the studio, working.

Do you have any performances coming up?

I’m performing at the Meadowlands State Fair.

I actually performed last night! I was laying in bed and a DJ was in my city DJing a softball dinner and he calls me on FaceTime, shows me the camera, and they’re all listening to my song. He was like, “Why don’t you come?” I went and it was amazing.

Awesome, just jump for the opportunity!

Yeah. That’s one thing about my city – they show me so much love.

Any last words, anything you’d like people to know?

Just chase what you love. Do what you gotta do because time flies, time really flies. Just focus on yourself because a lot of people nowadays are focused on partying and all that, but trust me – focus on your future.

Would you say you’re living your dream?

Not yet. I still have a lot to accomplish, but i’m definitely having fun right now.

Watch Daniel’s new Music Video:

You can follow Daniel on Soundcloud, Twitter, and Instagram.