International Courant
The Greatest New Artist class is well one of the crucial anticipated awards on the Latin Grammys. Final 12 months, for the primary time ever, there was a tie between rising Mexican singer-songwriter Silvana Estrada and Angela Alvarez, a 95-year-old Cuban grandmother whose relations had submitted her album — proving something can occur. For the 2023 ceremony, which takes place on Nov. 16 in Seville, Spain, 10 artists representing totally different genres and distinct musical cultures are competing for the award. The checklist consists of acts from international locations such because the US, Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, and extra.
Earlier than the ultimate winner is introduced. Rolling Stone caught up with 4 promising nominees to debate their music and their response to such recognition: We spoke to Borja, an indie artist who’s bringing romance again to Spanish-language pop; Conexión Divina, a trio of younger girls breaking via the male-dominated música Mexicana scene; Joaquina, a singer-songwriter who channeled her teenage desires and angst right into a formidable EP; and Leon Leiden, who made the bounce from TikTok to turning into considered one of Mexico’s largest pop stars.
Borja (Spain)
What does the nomination for Greatest New Artist imply to you?
It means every little thing to me. It is one of many largest honors you may get in your musical profession. It is also a prize for all of the arduous work I have been placing in these previous few years. I began finding out at Berklee School of Music in Boston after which I used to be working at Artwork Home Studios, studying and doing all kinds of issues. Then I lastly took an opportunity to place out my album (Rimas Del Verbo Amar). It got here out in Could and some months later this occurred, so it means the world to me.
Did working as a songwriter for earlier Greatest New Artist nominees Reik, Lasso, Nicole Zignago, and Marco Mares assist your transition into turning into an artist?
Positively! I realized so much from writing with them. The fellows of Reik have a lot expertise, so I used to be listening and noticing what they have been doing. Lasso is a good songwriter. He has a be aware on his iPhone with a great deal of concepts so I used to be like, “I am going to do this too.” You begin choosing up little issues right here and there and then you definately carry it into your world.
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What would you like individuals to remove out of your debut album Rimas Del Verbo Amar?
I need them to have the ability to pause a bit bit on this quick and frantic day-to-day that we reside in, to disconnect, and to have the ability to join with the music and their inside selves. I additionally need them to grasp that it is cool to be susceptible and discuss feelings. It is cool to be unhappy or joyful about one thing that occurred. I simply attempt to be sincere with my music and with what I really feel. I really feel that is actually essential.
What do you need to accomplish subsequent together with your music profession?
I’ve many desires. Only for me to be nominated is a prize, however I might like to win it. I need to do a second album, which might presumably be a continuation of this one. I’ve a variety of songs that did not make it onto this album that I do know are superb. Possibly do a continuation of this album and maintain that vibe of affection, honesty, and vulnerability.
Conexión Divina (US)
What does the nomination for Greatest New Artist imply to you?
Liz Trujillo: It offers a variety of worth to the entire work that we have been doing. The ladies and I can agree that we have labored tremendous arduous on our mission. It is like saying, “You are doing nice.” We are the first feminine group in Sierra Leone to do it. We’re tremendous excited.
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Sandra Calixto: The three of us wished for this and dreamed about it. We by no means imagined that we’d get up to now so quick. It appears like a dream come true.
Along with representing girls in música Mexicana, it is refreshing to see Liz additionally proudly claiming the LGBTQ+ neighborhood as an overtly homosexual singer.
Trujillo: Our objective because the starting is to encourage a variety of children our age. There’s not just one factor that you are able to do. We need to present the youngsters from our era that you are able to do no matter you need. You are able to do no matter your coronary heart feels and wishes.
Conexión Divina not too long ago had a line-up change with Daniela Santiago becoming a member of the group. How is that transition course of going?
Trujillo: I am actually joyful to have Dani be part of the group. We fought a bit bit. (Laughs.) They name us sisters now. We have been doing very well. Our chemistry continues to be actually sturdy. It is stronger than ever now. I am actually excited for all of the music that is going to come back out of us.
Daniela Santiago: I am actually excited! I really feel lucky to be part of this. We have already labored on some new music collectively. It has been actually enjoyable collaborating with them.
With “Al Tenerte” out as a brand new single, are you all engaged on Conexión Divina’s second album?
Trujillo: One of many issues I used to be speaking with the ladies about is that I need to make this subsequent album in regards to the totally different phases of our lives. All of us undergo disappointment and heartbreak and falling in love. Now we have some songs that we’re engaged on that discuss all that. We additionally need to signify our Mexican and American roots. I feel lots of people can relate to individuals telling us that we’re not real Mexicans as a result of we have been born right here (within the US). Now we have a tune that talks about that and says, “No, we’re Mexican.” That is what’s developing.
Joaquina (Venezuela)
You graduated from Julio Reyes Copello’s Artwork Home Academy and later labored with him in your debut EP Los Mejores Años. What did you be taught from the Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning producer?
I’ve realized a lot! Working, producing, and writing with him has been one of many best joys of my life. He is positively like an enormous paternal determine for me simply due to how a lot time we spent within the studio collectively. He was one of many first individuals to imagine in me when he heard some demos that I had. Having somebody with as a lot expertise as him imagine in my voice, my songs, and my method of writing is tremendous particular. Sitting within the studio with him, I’ve realized a lot in regards to the pure love of constructing music. He is an enormous affect in my life that I actually respect.
You are additionally nominated for Greatest Singer-Songwriter Album for Los Mejores Años. How do you’re feeling about your artistry being acknowledged in that method?
It is loopy! That was one I did not count on in any respect simply because it is my first mission. I am grateful that the love I put into this mission simply actually confirmed. I am nominated alongside legends like Natalia Lafourcade. She’s considered one of my largest inspirations. There is a very highly effective subsequent era of singer-songwriters who’re developing within the Latin world, which I feel is tremendous vital. There’s an enormous void and area for it, so to see individuals in my era developing in that area of interest is so particular. That nomination has helped me so much to imagine in myself, imagine in my writing, and to maintain on being higher with each tune that I write.
You lately put out “Quise Quererte” as your newest single. Is {that a} style of the brand new music to come back?
That is the primary tune of the brand new mission that I am engaged on proper now. The subsequent mission goes to be a bit extra mature. I am like a 12 months or two years older than I used to be after I wrote a lot of the EP. At my age, 19, it is so much if you develop a 12 months older. It’ll be a really clear image of every little thing that I am dwelling at 19-years-old. I will be a bit extra mature and edgier. Sound-wise, we’re tapping into a variety of people inspiration.
Leon Leiden (Mexico)
How would you describe the expertise of beginning on TikTok to turn into the artist you might be at this time?
My mission comes from truly sharing my musical course of on TikTok through the (COVID-19) pandemic after which transitioning in direction of musical platforms and an precise musical profession, which is what I at all times dreamed of. That got here from social media. The Latin Recording Academy recognizing not solely my mission, however this entire motion that’s coming from Mexico and different Latin American international locations of people that got here into the scene as I did is a really particular second for all of us.
You lately launched the songs “Alberca” and “ILY.” Are these going to result in a brand new album?
“Alberca” and “ILY” signify me coming again to doing solo music. I have been doing such an intense spherical of collaborations with artists starting from Thalia and Adriel Favela to DannyLux. That is coming subsequent. I gave you a bit unique there. I am coming again to creating solo music. It isn’t solely going to be these two tracks. I am nonetheless releasing solo music this 12 months. They’re a part of my second album that I have been engaged on for 2 years.
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What are you able to inform us in regards to the tune that you just wrote for RBD known as “Solo Te Pido”?
There’s a variety of issues that I am not in charge of immediately. I have been capable of file a lot of the band members, however we’re struggling a bit logistically due to the tour. What I can say is we’re very joyful and having fun with this course of. We’re respecting everybody’s time as a result of individuals see RBD as a band, nevertheless it’s additionally a band comprised of 5 people who’ve totally different schedules and lives. I am attempting to be respectful of that, however I am hoping the mission will likely be out subsequent 12 months. It is a very particular tune for all of us.
Greatest New Artists Borja, Leon Leiden, Joaquina
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