Six years without releasing an EP and renewing the music record single-by-single. The wait is over and Cleo Pathfinder from Alicante (Cuba, 1991) has published: whirlpoolA record that represents the before and after in his career. The first step to sitting at the table by renewing the way of composing and recording music, marked by the most classic rap.
So who is Cleo? To answer this question, just look back and listen to songs similar to those on their albums Corruption (2017) was produced by another famous Alicante rap artist Dj Force and with local collaborations such as Nite Huertas or Luisaker. In it we can find old-style phrases set to the rhythm of the bass drum, along with songs that remain great references to Cuba’s career. Ladies at home.
Previously He had already demonstrated his vocal and composition talents in other works. escape therapy (2011)o This is my game (2015)He participates in concerts shared with references of the genre, such as the late Jota Mayúscula, Rafael Lechowski, Kaze, Juaninacka, Shotta, Lauren Nine or Arkano from Alicante.
But he has never looked as serious as he does now. The Cuban artist living in Alicante exhibits a new version of himself at Vorágine; This work, consisting of 5 songs, gradually envelops the listener in an atmosphere where unrest shakes hands with hope. Where emotional duality finds a way to stand tall in the midst of chaos.
“As the years go by, the most classic rap expands and expands, and I’m with it. Until recently, my music style was mostly rap. bomb and purer. This is something that is at my core, something that defines me very much even today. But I started coming out a year ago., to play other styles within urban music. “I’m also taking singing lessons to start singing some more R&B songs,” says rapper Cleo Pathfinder, adding that this EP “drops hints of what’s to come, which I guarantee will be more singing and not as overwhelming.” “.
With the intention of bringing their music to wider audiences, without leaving aside the old style spirit, He made some cuts that touched on very American influences, as in the song. Under pressure or dropping revolutions with the R&B approach Black hellebore. “A few years ago I felt like I needed to change my music. Before I was in a more classical vein, marked by the puritanism that rap encompasses. I listened to much more limited music. Now I’ve changed my attitude a little bit in terms of how I enjoy other types of music and what they can give me. It’s like my brain is reproducing other sounds.” “He wasn’t taking it in a nice way,” he says.
The album focuses on the mind and its consequences. SSRI It clearly describes the inner conversations caused by anxiety. I dont want thatOn its part, it reflects the burden caused by stress. The entire EP has a very distinct psychological conceptThroughout the five songs that make up this EP, we understand that the different stages that Cleo Pathfinder’s mind goes through can be intertwined.
Alicante school
Urban culture spanning over the years finds its place in Alicante. Although the most representative artist at the international level is Nach, who finds his references in the world of improvisation in Arkano or Zasko Master, there are many other projects that have left their mark on the genre at the state level, such as Da Zoo Bros, Santiuve, Seven. , Heavy Metal, or components of Cooking Skills. But currently the state is not at the forefront of the genre, and Cleo Pathfinder attributes this to a lack of unity among musicians.
“Alicante is not at its best. It reached an incredible place years ago. But now, I think we can have a good moment again, comparable to that scene, but it requires a lot of work from all of us in country rap”. The rapper hypothesizes that this can be achieved by “creating more unity among everyone and letting go of the desire for competition that we often have.” Based on this point, we should follow the example of the Canary Islands, which are very strong at the moment: they support each other. some are many and they make the success of some the success of all. I think there is a cake for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether some people make music to make money or for pleasure. “Everyone can achieve their goals without stepping on each other’s toes.”
To create this union Artists Bha, Santiuve, DJ Force, Txel del Beat and Cleo Pathfinder created Origami Bangers, a musical collective. “We will release an album within the next year that will contain the classical essence that characterizes us” Beştebut surprising with many modern sounds from other musical styles.” So they plan to experiment by creating a musical union that is 100 percent Alicante: “To change something, we must first change ourselves.”
Corporate support
In order to popularize local products, there must first be institutions that support the city’s talents. From Cleo Pathfinder’s point of view Alicante City Council and Provincial Council are not helping with these urban projects: “There needs to be more commitment to the city’s artists. I’m no longer telling you to help, but rather to create contests or programs that support the financial support all artists need to be able to release our music.” It no longer means just entering the studio, but shooting video clips, organizing concerts, paying the rent of four venues in the city… All of these require serious economic costs and local music needs to be promoted more. more often in public areas.
However, he is honest by stating that not being able to make an album in these six years was not a financial problem, but was due to lack of motivation. “I went through a strange period in my life where the thing that worried me the least was money. The thing that cost me the most was how to focus on my career, in fact I felt out of place. I knew what I needed, I was completely unmotivated. I wrote and recorded, but I didn’t like anything that came out,” says Cleo Pathfinder. “And because I’m a very self-demanding person, I preferred not to release anything and wait for something to happen that I was completely convinced of. . As a result, I met people who made me look at things differently, and the great state of the national rap scene motivated me and gave me good references.”
Now after this little blockage whirlpool This reflects a new way of feeling music, and it’s something that also helps create a larger number of potential listeners: “Making music on a line with a more limited audience is not the same as playing different records. pierce or Afro-beatit in turn reaches other audiences,” he assures. “And now I realize that I have a little potential that I want to use. So I started singing lessons a year ago and I’m even learning to play the piano at a basic level so I can get along with a producer.”
Therefore the rapper from Alicante comes in an unbeatable situation and Understand that this EP is a “knock on the table but small” because I plan to give it a bigger one next year. “In 2024, I will try to let people know who Cleo Pathfinder is, both at the state and national level.”