William Diorel E Villanueva of B-it Studios On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Diane Strand

Whether through sound, screen, or storytelling, he builds worlds fueled by imagination, emotion, and raw authenticity.

As a part of our series about leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the pleasure of interviewing William Diorel E. Villanueva.

William Diorel E. Villanueva, known professionally as DReL7, is a Filipino singer-songwriter based in California. He is keen on blending genres into a sound that’s as vibrant as it is emotionally cinematic. Known for turning real-life moments into immersive musical experiences, his work invites listeners into stories you don’t just hear it, you feel. Beyond music, Villanueva is a multi-creative force. He co-hosts the podcast Psychobuzz, co-created the YouTube channel Sociomedia TV, and serves as the writer-director of the sci-fi series Andromeda under B-it Studios. Whether through sound, screen, or storytelling, he builds worlds fueled by imagination, emotion, and raw authenticity.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up? What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?

Well, funny enough, growing up in a musical environment really helped solidify my growth. My grandfather listens to old-school jazz and soul music. My aunt listens to classic 80s and 90s pop divas; she was also in a choir and sang for weddings and other events. My mother is a dancer and listens to a lot of pop music, and my uncle plays in a rock band.

My music journey actually started in 2016. I had pretty much dropped out of college and felt uninspired, unsure of what to do next, until a friend introduced me to a music app called Smule. I eventually got into singing, since I had done a lot of karaoke in college and growing up. During the pandemic, I found my way to BandLab after another friend introduced it to me. I had already been writing music prior to that, but around 2024, I started releasing my own songs. It’s been nice to hear my own music on streaming platforms, radio, and things like that.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

Well, since I started uploading music outside of those music apps, I’ve learned that you can get too comfortable. You also have to learn how to promote yourself and invest in your own projects. Compared to artists on a label, who often have multiple people handling those tasks for them, independent artists do everything themselves; including promotion and planning for venues. You’re essentially your own team. It’s kind of crazy how much that has changed for artists in the age of social media.

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Of course, when you’re first starting out, you don’t really know about things like trademarks, or how easily your music can be stolen. After my music was taken twice, I signed up with PROs like ASCAP and BMI, and I also registered with the MLC for licensing.

I used to have a different artist name, but unfortunately it was already taken, so I had to rebrand my entire persona. I also started working on trademarking so it doesn’t happen again. The more you learn, the stronger and more professional your brand becomes.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Like I mentioned before, if it weren’t for a friend who saw my talent in singing, I wouldn’t have joined Smule. If it weren’t for another friend who saw that I could go beyond doing covers, I wouldn’t have started writing music or discovered BandLab. Eventually, that led me to take things a step further; it’s been a 10-year process.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I’m currently working on a country-pop–inspired album that will be releasing soon. I’m also co-hosting a podcast called Psychobuzz, which is set to launch shortly. In addition, I’m involved in acting projects with B-it Studios, along with content creation for Sociomedia TV on YouTube.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

Well, one reason is that Asian kids watching TV deserve to see someone who looks like them and sounds like them; someone who can inspire them through their journey into adulthood. It’s also important to show audiences that every type of love deserves representation. Finally, it matters because the more everyone is included, the wider and more open the space becomes for everybody.

As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?

My inner child honestly keeps me motivated because, where we are right now, we’re enjoying the ride. It’s our dream and we made it happen. Apart from finding comfort in prayer, I always remind myself of that little boy.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Research what needs to be done before releasing anything

Before starting any venture, always research what needs to be done before releasing anything. I learned this the hard way when I realized I hadn’t properly protected my work early on, which led to issues with ownership and branding.

2. Always prepare a 10-step plan for your venture

Always prepare a 10-step plan for your venture, because you never know when you’ll need a Plan B for everything. Having a roadmap helps you stay focused when unexpected challenges arise, like a venue falling through or a delay in distribution.

3. Always read your contracts

Always read your contracts; whether it’s publishing, distribution, or anything in between — especially if you’re signed to a label. Understanding the fine print ensures you aren’t signing away rights you didn’t intend to or committing to terms that don’t serve your career long-term.

4. Look for advice from other artists

Look for advice from other artists who’ve done what you’re trying to do. Sometimes in life, we all need help; whether it’s personal, creative, or business-related. A strong community and real camaraderie with your peers can make all the difference in navigating the complexities of the industry.

5. Always take breaks

Always take breaks, whether short or long; they help build inspiration. Don’t rush the creative process; the longer you sit with a project, the stronger the final outcome can become. Stepping away allows you to return with fresh ears and a clear mind.

Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?

Songwriting is based on my personal experiences, and for me, storytelling used to be rooted only in what I had lived through. But I’ve learned from other artists and through experience that storytelling can go further than personal stories; it can also come from imagination.

As for collaborations, I usually work with producers who help bring my vision to life. As for other artists, I collaborate with people who inspire me to write. I love the idea of world-building with someone. It doesn’t have to involve separate entities; it could be one person visiting, or someone bringing another into their realm, while still remaining true to themselves artistically.

Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart? How do you connect with your audience?

It’s a bit generic to say every artist talks about how they tell their story or how they’ve lived it. I’d add to that and say music is a universal language; if people understand it and like what they hear, then a connection is built. I hope that people who listen to my music love what they hear, and I hope they understand my story.

With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?

Easy. you stay off social media, focus on your life’s work, meditate, cleanse your space, pray to the Lord, and hope everything goes well. Make sure to always communicate with the people you’re close with, and keep someone around you to help you stay grounded and maintain your sanity. Therapists also help!

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I want to inspire young kids to believe that if they dream it and believe in it, they will get there someday. While you’re still young, hone your talent to the best of your abilities. You never know — things might happen just as you’ve always dreamed. Don’t give up; every opportunity is a blessing.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂

I’d like to have dinner with my musical idols like Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, or Rihanna. I’d love to pick their brains about what it’s really like in the industry.

How can our readers continue to follow your work online?

You can find me at DreL7 in all platforms: https://linktr.ee/D_ReL

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

About The Interviewer: Diane Strand is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur, executive producer, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, TEDx and national speaker with more than two decades of success in media, education, and creative entrepreneurship. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. and JDS Actors Studio, and the founder of the nonprofit JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA) — a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing education, inclusion, and workforce development through the arts. As the creator and executive producer of Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America — a nationally streamed and locally broadcast ABC TV series — Diane continues to break new ground in creative media, producing the first magazine-style news and information show of its kind in Riverside County. A trailblazer in inclusive education, Diane has authored two state-approved training programs — a Title 17 video production job-training day program for adults with developmental disabilities and a California State Apprenticeship program in media and the arts. Diane has helped launch more than 100 creative careers, as actors, writers, directors, and producers transforming lives and strengthening the creative workforce pipeline in Southern California and beyond. In 2017, Diane founded DigiFest® Temecula, an award-winning annual festival that celebrates digital media, storytelling, and innovation across all creative disciplines. Now entering its 10th year, DigiFest® has evolved into a nationally recognized event uniting students, professionals, and thought leaders from film, television, gaming, design, podcasting, and emerging technologies. The festival embodies Diane’s mission to merge creativity, community, and opportunity — showcasing how the arts can drive education, empowerment, and industry growth. Diane’s Hollywood career includes credits on Friends, General Hospital, and Veronica’s Closet, as well as producing for Barbra Streisand, Disney Channel, and Universal Creative, where she helped launch Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney and contributed to the high-definition control room build at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena). As a Lead Columnist for Authority Magazine, Diane now shines a national spotlight on visionary thought leaders, entertainers, changemakers, and philanthropists who are shaping the future of creativity, inclusion, and social impact. If you’re a celebrity, industry innovator, or business leader passionate about using the arts to transform lives, Diane invites you to connect, collaborate, and share your story to help inspire the next generation of innovators.

William Diorel E Villanueva of B-it Studios On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.