Seven months after ‘Toke’, the 2022 World Cup theme of the Spanish team, we have another song. Why so long?
After Eurovision, it was clear that I wanted to discover who I am as an artist who has spent many years playing characters. And this takes time. Everything is moving very fast now, artists are constantly releasing ‘singles’ and that’s fine for me, but I had to improve myself so that I wouldn’t turn into an imaginary product. Mine is an ‘escudella’ on low heat like a pedestrian’s.
You should see how we journalists are: We criticize record companies for not being patient with artists, not thinking long-term, and when they do, we think, “What the hell is this girl doing?”
Now, just because Eurovision is a crazy and closed product, people thought mine was already done. But that was for Eurovision. My singing career started with a ‘boom’ and now I have to build. I was working in the studio when they told me I was lost.
‘Clavaíto’ is definitely a song from one of these composing labs, with many co-writers and producers, and every little detail is extremely calculated.
Nothing! Abraham (Matthew) and I met and he invited me to his studio. Without any excuse. And I woke up that morning wanting a bachata. He found it interesting and we went there, put it on the musical controls and created the song between the two of us. There is no one but us.
When we interviewed him last October, he told us about creating his own distinguishable identity. Did you find it?
to 100%. I think there are a few things that make me different. First, I was born in Cuba, I have Cuban son in me and Latin America in my heart. Then there’s my singing style. I’m from the musical. And the color of my voice and the staging. Dance, acting, video clips… are very important to me. ‘Clavaíto’ has that Latin and pop essence that defines me.
The song talks about a couple who are separated from each other.
This is something almost all of us will experience: I love you, but we must be apart. We put it into words and ‘Clavaíto’ came out.
The video is quite dark and is seen sharpening a katana in the ‘Kill Bill’ style.
Director Willy Rodríguez made up a very cinematographic story: Abraham and I are hitmen, and a few years later I’m in charge of a casino where fights broke out. When we meet, we have a wound in the same place: the ‘needle’. There is a tension, a dance… Abraham dances very well.
Do we have to wait another seven months after this song? And when an album?
It won’t take long for the album to arrive. It will be this year. They don’t want me to say anything else. But this May, I’ll be getting another little gift. I have worked with different people, now with Rayito, a music producer from Madrid.
After all this waiting, aren’t you afraid that your moment may pass?
what is the moment? How do you know? If I had the key, everything would be easier. In the end, the art speaks for itself.
Last time he told us he was just getting started, “born” and “creeping”, and soon after, thump was on ‘Cover Night’ (TVE) as a judge and decided his fate. poor contestants How is this frame?
Different! I’ve been working for this for 16 years. If I were a judge on ‘MasterChef’, I have no idea. But this is my profession. When I see an artist, I have a very clear opinion: If he has technique, if he is missing, if he has light, if he has projection, if he has dedication, if he has discipline…
Did you feel comfortable judging young talents?
At first it tasted very bad to me. I put myself in their shoes and it was very difficult to say no. I wanted to make it as sweet as possible. That’s why he said “positive red” when he voted for red. Because that’s how I’ve always perceived it: when it’s no, maybe it’s “no now” or no to better prepare you.
Have the ‘haters’ who harassed him on the nets last year loosened up?
They’re always there, and it’s a pity, but always, always, when one of these episodes happens, the person eventually apologizes or apologizes. This is so interesting. I want to sit down and talk to my ‘haters’ and talk to them.
How do you do this to maintain stability in the middle of a hurricane?
With the help of professionals: psychologists, ‘coaches’… And I am lucky to have close friends who have known me for years. My life has always had a lot of strength.
Have you trained all these years not only to be a singer, but also to be a famous figure?
Not to be famous, but to work under pressure. I have always worked like this. The world of dancers is tough: working out with a fiber tear in my calves and no one forced me to do it, but… It’s learning for me.
This Saturday we have the Eurovision Song Contest where the Top 4 artists from last year are invited to perform, apart from you. What happened?
They didn’t invite me.
Doesn’t he know why?
I don’t know anything else. I said that if it was up to me in the nets, I would distribute mango juice there. All I know is that I would die of illusion to perform at a festival that brought so much to me.
How do you see Blanca Paloma and its ‘Eaea’?
White has to win. I want him to win and have a good time as a teammate. When I met Blanca, I noticed her calmness, her control, her artistry… And I spend all day with the song in my head. I think you will like it.