From being a national rap figure to creating label-free music. Juancho Marqués’ (Sevilla, 1987) journey in the music industry has led him to create an album that is as unique as it is sensitive. Close the audio mastery circle with: Heaven 39It is an album in which she seems more fragile and naked, clearly reflecting her feelings and emotions. The album, recorded in a completely closed environment, will be presented next Saturday, January 27, at The One Room in San Vicente del Raspeig.
Alicante is one of the constant venues both in its own tour and in festivals. What is it about this city that always brings you here?
First of all, it has one of the best cuisines in Spain. Regarding music, the entire Levante region in general, and Alicante in particular, always welcomes us very well, we always feel that people accompany us. Moreover, they are a very participatory type of people. We need people to sing, to jump, to accompany us; It gives us feedback. It is a place we always try to go, an indispensable place of our trip.
Gifts Heaven 39, an album that completes his evolution towards a more sensitive, detailed musical genre. This shows that Juancho Marqués is a project that covers a very broad musical concept.
That’s exactly what you say. In fact, I think our focus is not on the style of music we make, but on the message. Heaven 39 It is a song written from the heart about friendship. heaven 39 It is the name of a particular street where the house on which the album was composed is completely closed. And success for us was being able to release that album while sharing great experiences while we were locked down. I met many people during this composition process and business turned into life. These are some of the things this album contains.
In his songs, we manage to get deeper into his mind and heart. We know Juancho Marqués better from the inside.
Yes, these are life experiences. It’s also true that I feel like I can express things more and more. One of the advantages you have when you’re young is that you have fewer responsibilities. This means you have more free time and you will find more expressions. Now I need to provoke those moments more. Instead, I feel like I have a greater ability to express what I feel. Working with other types of people has allowed me to not get stuck entirely in the urban music genre. I can say that I have matured both lyrically and compositionally.
This value is provided by experience. It is no longer the same as what we discovered in Suite Soprano.
This is entirely thanks to the knowledge you have gained over the years. You begin to better understand your priorities, why you do certain things, and how you should strive to improve. This is where we have come and this album starts from here.
Even though his sound has gone in a different direction, the national rap scene continues to consider him a part of it. Do you see this as a positive thing, or on the other hand, do you understand that you are overshadowed in this genre?
This is a positive thing. In the end, it matters who I am and where I come from. If they take me out of the urban genre, people might make comparisons to other artists that wouldn’t be good for me.
What kind of comparisons?
For example, the sound issue. People join me more because of my ability to deliver than because I have a great voice. There are people who are very virtuous in singing, but not everyone has the ability to convey and tell stories. In my case, I know I connect with people through lyrics, and so I think even if I leave there, I’m still seen as a rapper.
So it’s still connected to rap in some way.
Certainly. In fact, my next work will be more of a rap album than anything I’ve done in recent years.
We must not forget that he was part of the group of artists who managed to bring rap into the mainstream in Spain.
Years ago, it was unthinkable that rap could reach as many audiences as it does now. Like those who came before us, my generation was an important part of not only growing the movement, but also influencing the people who came after us. But before, the people were not as majority or pop as they are today. Now rap has reached all classes and social strata, and from this perspective, it is proud to have the feeling that our grain of sand is very important in the development of the hip hop movement in Spain.
What is the best thing music has given you?
Perhaps the best thing he has given me is freedom. I had the opportunity to live life the way I wanted, I worked hard, but I felt like I could take the reins of my life to make the decisions I wanted. Having this freedom has allowed me to work with people I love and appreciate, giving me the opportunity to enjoy my work and have incredible experiences. It also gave me the opportunity to not be a slave to time.
So what’s the worst?
I could tell you a lot of things, but I feel like the bad things that have happened to me have helped me learn more. With your question, I remembered the moments of depression, stress and anxiety I experienced. That lonely spot that music gives you. But for some reason I don’t see this as a negative thing. Experiencing this forced me to get by out of necessity, and that in itself is a learning. I think it was necessary that got me to where I am now.
What will people find when they go to your concert in Alicante?
Many people from Alicante have only seen me in the festival format and for a shorter period of time. In this concert, which is a part of my tour, the public will have the opportunity to see more of me and hear more songs from other albums. Moreover, what they will see above all else is the respect shown to them. We are trying to do something knowing the effort it takes to pay the entrance fee. We try to gather a palette of emotions and convey a lot of intimacy in our shows. We also like to break the space barrier and whenever I can I go down and sing with people and if conditions allow I always try to go out and take photos with everyone.
This closeness is also due to the fact that no seats are reserved for VIP people in hall concerts. Something he criticizes from time to time.
Things we artists don’t like proscenium Communication with your target audience is not the same when it comes to distance. This immediacy factor is lost. I won’t be able to convey the same thing, I won’t be able to make you act the same way or feel what I’m saying if I’m further away. I also understand that ultimately this is a business model and everyone will have their own opinion. The festivals will be their own and they will be able to do whatever they want. Why are they removing all athletics tracks from football stadiums? Creating an atmosphere of greater closeness. The same thing happens at concerts.