El Langui Returns with Spasticidad, a Track on Inactivity and Social Pressure
El Langui, a versatile artist from Madrid, comes back to the scene after seven years with his new album Spasticidad. The project raises awareness about inactivity in two senses: the daily challenges associated with illness and a social trend that many feel is self-imposed and increasingly common.
“You don’t have to have cerebral palsy to realize that people are rigid”, says the artist in his statements, presenting his second solo album the Friday it dropped after Hola in 2015. The release aligns with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, carrying a clear intention to shed light and understanding.
That is how the record was conceived: the title points to core conditions and symptoms caused by various pathologies or brain injuries, which can limit the movement of muscles that have atrophied or become stiff and difficult to control.
“Prejudices, little tolerance and a lack of empathy make people feel uneasy. Yet there is reason for optimism—there are communities doing their part to support rare conditions and vulnerable groups”, emphasizes El Langui, who speaks with more clarity than ever through his rhymes in pursuit of visibility and normalization.
That emphasis on health equity is central. The album underscores the idea of strong health with access for all. He notes how some people in Madrid struggle to reach work, pay taxes, and rely on politicians who fail to provide widespread care. The result is a sense of impotence in the face of systemic neglect that affects health outcomes for many.
After touring with Hola for four years and recording two singles with La Excepción, he began work on Spasticidad in 2019. He explored many other projects during that period, including a restaurant and a short film, until external events redirected focus.
“In hindsight, the pandemic made the themes of the album feel even more timely. It highlighted how many people discovered that stress and constant tension—driven by acceleration—dominate daily life and push people to look away from their screens and toward what matters”, he reflects, a sentiment echoed in the album’s dual voice and momentum.
Simultaneously, a sense of uncertainty hung over society as people wondered how to keep paying bills without losing touch with reality. The habit of retreating into screens intensified, and the rhythm of life seemed to tighten around digital demands.
“That’s the pressure they want us under—fake news circulates, but so does content that avoids critique. A generation grows up consuming music that resonates with personal tastes while also defending materialism and individualism”, he laments, commenting on cultural trends that shape the younger audience.
When asked whether urban artists like Omar Montes, associated with the Pan Bendito area, were a reference point, El Langui explained that the character is a construct that serves him in his artistry and was later adopted by media. He did not grow up there, but the persona fits the narrative he crafts because the media amplified it.
El Langui values the collaboration and the influence of his son Hugo, who attends a physio-neurology center to observe children with cerebral palsy alongside Javi and Dani, who appear in the Spasticidad video he directed. He also cites interactions with artists such as Kase.O, who acknowledged the album’s themes in relation to broader social messages, including the idea of being treated with respect within urban culture.
The album features sessions with Brisa Fenoy and Diego El Cigala, among others, and includes a track titled Y no hago más na that voices disapproval of living on social assistance. The artist reflects on his roots in a working-class neighborhood where many aim to rise above marginality. He explains that the work is not simply about criticizing a system but about acknowledging human concerns and the dignity of those who strive to create better futures for their families.
Through Spasticidad, El Langui communicates a critique of inaction and a call for social responsibility. The record is a narrative about resilience, community, and the everyday battles faced by people who navigate health challenges, economic pressures, and cultural expectations. It stands as a testament to a singer who uses his platform to shed light on underrepresented experiences and to advocate for greater empathy and inclusion in society.