Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Rob Murat

Rising actor-musician Rob Murat approaches all facets of his career with honesty. It’s what has allowed him to connect with audiences across mediums and made him one of Hollywood’s most exciting talents.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Rob about his career, his latest series On My Block, and his new single “Fly Away.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Rob: I believe I was born with it. This is a tough question to answer. I’ve always had an affinity towards performing arts ever since I can remember. Yet, the thought of making it a career didn’t come until my college years when I began professionally recording.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Rob: The knowledge that my work has affected and can continue to affect many people worldwide for the better. That’s what has influenced my music and acting career. People often seek an escape from the hardships of life through their favorite song, movie, or TV show. I’m in the business of fulfilling that forever need.

PC: In addition to the work that you’ve done on screen, you’re also a musician. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from that medium that you’ve been able to apply to your acting career and vice versa?
Rob: Opportunities prepared exclusively for you have no choice but to be yours. You simply have to embrace the fact that they are already yours and go after them. We as humans spend too much time hesitating instead of manifesting victories on all levels.

PC: There are so many different facets to your craft. Does one come more naturally than the other? Is one more challenging?
Rob: What I do revolves around one simple idea: honesty. The best musicians and actors have that commonality. Their work comes across as honest and true. When you hear a good song or watch a great performance, odds are you are believing what you are experiencing. Being honest is a natural human instinct. Whether I am singing, writing, producing, directing, or acting, I seek honesty—no matter how painstaking of a process it can be.

PC: The fourth and final season of On My Block recently premiered. When you look back on that experience, what will you remember the most?
Rob: I will remember the final day on set and thinking back on how lucky I was to be a part of such a special and unique project. Show creators, Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft made splendid magic with this series. And that will always be a fact.

PC: If you could share some parting words to your character, what would they be?
Rob: Chill out, coach, and see you in the afterlife! [laughs] Fans of the show will understand this one.

PC: Tell us about your new single “Fly Away” and the inspiration behind the song.
Rob: “Fly Away” is a global invitation—to whom it may concern—for people to get up and act on that future vision of themselves. That’s it. The song, the track, the amazing feature by Jupitar, and the nod to Haiti all come together to potentially spark something inside the listener.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2021 into 2022, what can fans expect from you?
Rob: I am very excited about finally releasing my second full album project in early 2022 after teasing it for so long! The singles from earlier this year are currently scheduled to be on it along with some brand new songs that we are all excited about! Stay tuned!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Rob: Chopped.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Rob: The Devil’s Advocate.

PC: Favorite book?
Rob: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Rob: A Raisin in the Sun.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Rob: Nicholas Britell.

To keep up with Rob, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.