February 24, 2022 • 30 mins
Katelina Eccleston, of Reggaeton Con La Gata, joins Amara to discuss how Reggaeton is Black music. La Gata and Amara examine the evolution of the genre, how women were at the forefront, and how white washing the sound has changed.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome, Welcome guys with your girl and you're listening to
Exactly A Mada. Welcome back, guys. I've missed you all week. Batto.
I am grateful that you guys continue to download and
subscribe to Exactly Amada. I'm so grateful for that. I
love the reviews so far, so good, great reviews. I'm
(00:25):
grateful for it. You have to saw it, whether it
is on the YouTube channel or on the podcast, whether
it's good or bad, or comment or there's something specific
you want me to talk about that being a creement
and let me know what's happening, what's popping. And by
the way, let me send you with the stars. Let
me send you with the stars and rate us five
(00:46):
stars and share this podcast with your friends. You from
going everybody that you know to stop it. But anyways, um,
I definitely want to hear from you guys, and today
I want to get right to it. Because chat Chasm
we we have had several conversations in the past. I
think that she is beautiful, she's smart. I love the
(01:09):
fact that she's outspoken. She's also after Latina. She is
all about women empowerment. She supports and she supports more
than a lot of people that have bigger platforms could
She's created a movement, a wave. I mean she is
everything A lot of you guys see like I didn't
(01:29):
know her like that, but as soon as they told
me I'm not your guest today is She's from Bana
and she's a creator of a multimedia platform dedicated to
the history and evolution of Regestas. Welcome to exactly a
Madam Marten, Thank you for having me. What an introduction.
(01:54):
I feel that ten times about you. I love you
having to be here. Thank you know, I'm super proud
and honored to have you today on the show. I
feel like, um we I don't know why it hasn't
happened yet, but one of my dreams and I'm gonna
put it out to the Universethaniel somehow, even if it's
(02:16):
at the end of the year. I need to figure out,
you know what, I should write it down so I
don't forget. But um we need to do something where
the all the after latinos we really come together and
do something annually, something where we continue to support because
I really hate when when we start well I don't
want to say when we started, but it's very few
of us that use our platform and our voices not
(02:36):
only to entertain, but also to also to talk about
real things that happened in our community and all those things.
And you're one of those people that are very outspoken.
Wins that I see me once that I see it. Okay,
we have to uplift mass after Latinos or more Latino's overall.
So what inspires you to be so outspoken and vocal
(02:58):
when it comes to the music industry and also the
AFRI Latino community. Thank you there, Um, What can I say?
I created my platform in college. UM, I studied UM
the the industry. I studied racism in the industry. I
have the honor of interviewing some grades UM and the
data was depressing. Um. The data was was tough, you know,
(03:22):
and it painted me a very clear picture of just
how difficult it is to move in the Latin music industry. Right.
Moving in music is not easy in general. I know
you know this, so you're they here, Okay, if it's
this hard, let me make a platform for myself to
give myself a voice. And the way I moved just
in general, but both in front of them behind the camera.
(03:45):
You're simple Flores I'm very serious about that. I'm all
about giving people their flowers. I'm not a first and
I won't be the last. And the only way that
we will move forward is if we give each other
our our credit are flores and a space to really
be to be, you know, because none. So I'm grateful
(04:08):
that you know, the platform took off and me, Um,
if we don't see each other, who will you know?
Most definitely what inspired you UM specifically to do because
as you know, it's it's a it's a big part
(04:30):
of the community. But there's so many different genres, right
and didn't give ba laa like everything you can think of?
Why the genre specifically? Um? Yes, American? Now right, my
(04:53):
they talk about, um the Jamaicans who immigranted to Panama
to work in the Canal. I'm like, you made my
grand father the Panamins who speak Patua and Spanish. I'm
like me, what I love me? My mom ste s
So it's like it's it's just parallel to the history
of my family. UM. And of course I was raising Boston.
(05:15):
Shout out to Boston a bunch of bunny light holes.
I was raised by bunny like Dominicans. UM, shout out
to me, Bunny, I'm in d R right now, Um
shout down. You already know dang r yes um. I
(05:36):
was raised by Dominicans um and bodiq was and Natra.
It just stuck to me. You know, my mom she
would so um like that. Yes. So I became gata
by the person who was always throwing the house party's um,
(05:59):
you know, and it just pretty much came naturally, like
my love for you're nothing. To be honest. Now, now
here's something that has been debated for a very long time, right,
so jo and Puerto Rico local one of these Puerto
(06:21):
Ricueo las in Puerto Rico, the same thing I've heard
with Reggaeton. I don't know clarifying me, there's people that
say Puerto Rico when you talk like a legend, like
DJ Blast he says, you know, studying in Panama and Panama. So,
(06:42):
I don't know, how do you feel about it? Since
this is what you do? You know what both are right?
This is the thing. So I say that reggaetne right,
r E g g A E t o Nama and
that R E g U E t o and Puerto Rico.
(07:04):
Everybody gets their flowers Alfinan. No, no matter how you
spell it is the convention the Panama Right in the nineties,
Nando Boom was in the studio with Bobby Digital were
a sleepy wonder who were making the Dembo Pounder be
(07:25):
that the be that's Corasonno right, right, So to say
that it's not Panamanian, it's like it's literally incorrect. A
Panamanian was there in the studio as a part of
the process. Right. Um. I think it gets sticky because
in Latin that we like to stay close to like
(07:48):
our nation, like our nationality. The idea of a dual
nationality is like it's like foreign, right, I'm not Panamean,
I'm paname In Jamaican people hear that, they acknowledge, but
they still don't get it. You know, there's like a
subculture there and so I get it and that when
people say, oh no, it's like yeah, but the Panamans
(08:11):
are the Jamaicans in this instance. You know, Um, you
gotta recognize the subculture otherwise you're literally erasing us in
a contribution. Meanwhile, noos to be honest, like right, they
really put in their work, nobody now they right? Um?
(08:35):
I love you like right, but at the same time.
So that's how I go about it. Both are right,
It's just it has to be explained that way otherwise,
and that's not fair. Okay, I I agree. I mean
(09:03):
I didn't know its history per se the way that
you are describing it. Important about having these conversations because
now it also makes me feel like I want to
go over there and do my own research to find out.
You know what it is. Um here you go something
else that I also have heard in something else. I
want you to break down to me because there has
(09:24):
always been like a white washing, you know, white washing
when it comes to music. Um, now, what's happening when
it comes to you feel that this is currently happening.
It's something that happened. I think that we are pastgeton.
I don't think what's being made right now could even
be considered. I think it's considered. I call it. It's
(09:47):
like popet like even to the max. Because you know
when the Colombians Colombia UM literally not my words the
words of Maloma, the words of Jay Balvin is literally
(10:10):
they took off the timbales, They took off every African
instrument from the music to make it something that's a
little bit more pop. Um. And you know, people can
do what they want. But my mom, so it's a tendencia.
And that's why a lot of the music we hear now,
(10:32):
I don't hear the Lanka anymore. That's too like quote
and quote ghatto. Some people even have the cohors old
school Yeah, which opinion? Um, So with that sun, Um, Yes,
there's been a whitewashing. It was deliberate. It was intentional, um,
(10:54):
both by way of the artists and also by way
of the industry. Um. And sadly, if in these rooms
there aren't enough people to tell you're like, hey, hey,
you make that, and we also make you know, No,
nobody's in the room stopping this from happening. So I mean,
(11:14):
why why do you think that there? Why do you
think that they're not stopping it? Do you think it's convenience?
Because I'm gonna be honest, um, being being in the
music industry since I was you know, a really you
know young girl, it's harder. Obviously. I feel that if
this would have been a whole bunch of like sech
and a whole bunch of like, I don't know, a
(11:37):
whole bunch of morenos being the ones to sing their
own music, their own cultural stuff or whatever. It wouldn't
be as accepted as obviously when it's cookie cutter and
they clean up the quote unquote image. Because a lot
of the times, if you go to the studio, in
the studio there's a whole bunch of either Jamaicans, Morenos, Latinos,
(11:59):
Dominican banan, there's a whole bunch of us, but when
they come up on stage, none of them look like us.
So I do believe that it's part of convenience, um,
because it's you know, it's the market, it's society, standards
of beauty, it's all those things. Do you feel that
that's ever going to change? Do you ever do you
(12:20):
feel that there's gonna be a wave? Which sucks to
even kind of a wave. They shouldn't be a wave,
But do you think there will ever be progressed in
that aspect that will be a whole bunch of us
singing our own music without it having to be you know,
kind of washed a little bit. I'm trying so hard
to not be like, yes, everything you're saying, because you know,
(12:42):
like you've been on the block, you know this, Um.
Do I think they'll be a wave. This is the thing,
and and this is what makes it difficult, right, Um,
and what I was trying to like finish up with
at the I get it, but I'm in the studio now,
so now out of my yant and I'm like, this
(13:03):
costs money. Um, you know I do you want to
play the game or not? So this is the thing.
I feel like in order for that to happen and
to be successful, they would really have to be when
I'm young, right, we would really need to have a conversation,
have to get together and be intentional and like make
(13:26):
it happen, reclaim the culture and let other people do
what they want to do. Um. And sadly, because I
get come in. I understand that you know you want
to make the songs that you know are going to
hit the radios, that you know certain markets are gonna
turn the quick book, right, and when it comes time
down to make the music that you want to make, No,
(13:49):
I animal, no, I like urso No, I you know
it's difficult, right, So I feel like, in order afraid
to happen right now, there's a wave which I agree
with you that it shouldn't be a wave. It should
be the dominant. Um. There's a wave of like there
are people who are tired of this sagatum circle and
I'm living for it. Um. They're making like pereo, like
(14:10):
actual pereo um oi in thea um mochosa Requila. We
really need to like listen to like lo paavo. But
it's a lot of give and take. It's complicated, it
isn't it's the point? Yeah, do you feel that the
(14:38):
same thing happens UM when it comes to because I
know that I think, okay, so were the relevant as
important whether you're after Latin or just as a Latina industry,
how much harder is it or how do you feel
that as women we have evolved in regat because in
(15:00):
the days there were very few dona Is obviously you
know one that would still get and with female is
ev right, Ivy queens and Anthiana, you know it. It
was kind of hard because to my understanding, we all
admired her as women because she was one of the few.
(15:22):
She also when there with a more masculine energy in
order to be respected, in order to be UM. Now,
obviously she came out more feminine and I feel that
it almost affected her a little bit because people wanted
to see that that tough, that toughness in her. But
then at the same time, now we see that are
(15:46):
much more sexualized, are much more sexi or ec and
handed out cambiallo. But when you listen to cat g
or Becky g or Natasha, or you listen to the
women that are now predominating, how do you feel that
don't have evolved and changed for women? I think you
said it perfectly in the Queen so La Patriot route
(16:13):
gown um who you know, she was a little bit
on the I'd say on, yeah, on the masculine side,
Tambia and going the heater was handed on, you know,
thinking about women's autonomy and sexual agency in Mexico. Oh
my god, we definitely I feel that so many times
(16:35):
we talked about and we've been leaving him out, but
when I missed them both right, you know, I'm that
much older, but he was like the first person I
can think of that was singing reg but we here
now as reget do you play that music? So I
(16:57):
definitely am like, yeah, if that you're right, you know
I did, but um Panama or no, definitely, So the
first of all handedo Urbano Panama Um and he was
(17:17):
in a quarta. It was actually him and not the book,
No excuse me. It was Renato and handed On and
Reggae Sam. They were the four first group um of
Hando and that they translated music from Patua to Spanish,
(17:38):
made Soka, made dance so mid regae, and then and
handed On went a little bit more commercial, made what
we call now Regaton produced by Michael Ellis UM and
he rest in peace. Um and Dada. She was the
one who could hang with the guys. Um, but even
queen and answering the previous with the women, I would
(17:59):
definitely say that the earlier women and I mean evy
queen at a glory glow Um had to like tap
into their you know, their hood sign to like make
the men forget that they are women. Um. And I'm
very happy now that they're more women. But elas like negras,
(18:25):
like you know, I'm tired of feeling crazy. It's actually
what influenced me to give it a shot, honestly, being
inspired by you, being inspired by Salia, being inspired by
I'm like, I'm tired of the industry, feeling like there
could only be one great Negra like and it's like
and yet, um, I'm tired of seeing us added into
(18:48):
token playlists plist Yeah no, no, no playlist. You know
What's like just like just like they'll they'll do the
it's Black History month, you know, after so in that
(19:12):
month it will be like the most light that you're
gonna get after that is like, you know, I was surprised,
not the way I'm indeed super talented, but I was
surprised when I saw such come out. I was like,
whoa do we have a black person? And it wasn't
a black cooking cutter. It was just he's talented. This
(19:33):
is what it is. I look like this, it's like
a I whatever. Um, do I feel that he gets
as much flowers as he could in comparison to other talents? No?
Do I feel that. I almost feel like they opened
the door for him. And it's like, y'all need to
be grateful, right that we allowed him, Like he's the
one that's going to represent all of y'all. That's it.
(19:54):
We got one. And if you look at the billboards
and you look at the charts, you can actually count
out with one hand equ without how many negroes or more.
After this in the end, are really on this list.
It's like I don't want to say that they took
our music or culture book. I know that I understand
how perhaps we have influenced. We are music, our culture,
(20:18):
our sound or food, our style, our hairstyle or everything
are features all of us have affected the whole world,
you know what I'm saying, not just musically. So I
get that part, Okay, someone who names speed we are
It's okay, Like I get it, and that we don't
(20:39):
want to ruffle no feathers. But it's it's okay to
say that they stole because I did, you know, like
but even like it hurts turning on the TV and
it's like, look at everything about me except me, Like
that hurts, you know, like, h it's true. And then
(21:03):
that's what they'll do. Okay. Commercially is more accepted. They
sing it, they become rich, they become the image now
with this music, with the sound is and you completely
get discredit, You completely get erased from the map, even
though that you created this. So I definitely agree. Um
(21:25):
if it is hard to see it, and I'll ask
you this too, you've been um in the Rolling Stone magazine.
We need to see at eight times you have done
it all. Tell us about the work you're doing right
now and how can we support you? Know what you're doing.
It's been a journey. Um. I started off in Lamega
(21:49):
in Boston, um, talking about race and colors, and there
I realized like, if I'm gonna reach a bigger audience,
I need to take more to the internet. Um the
hella mega uh um. And then I started doing more
interviews behind the scenes, like behind concerts, which I from
was very difficult because I remember I interviewed you in
(22:11):
in um Boston, yeah, um with that beautiful blue Manda,
You're so pretty. Yeah. So I started like that, you know,
doing behind the scenes. But that's not easy because perfect example,
you were exhausted, do not get you wanted to go home?
I get it, um, you know, and artists just gave
(22:32):
us they're all on stage and then it's nothing easy. Um.
And then you know like, um, so we won't be
there on Twitter virang and I expanded my base from
there and Poco Contrado um, and I was tapped on
(22:57):
the shoulder. Um. It was like a two way street.
My point. Um, Yes, I was doing this work, but
also I feel like the industry was ready to have
these conversations in writing, but I didn't know whose shoulder
to tap, And it's it's a gamble, right, talking about
these topics. It's difficult because the publicists are right there.
(23:17):
I get that feather. So I was tapped on the
shoulder to write an op ed for Club because that
the summer when George Floyd died and everybody was really
showing their colors and it was really bad. Um, nobody
didn't really know how to talk about nobody like no
white Latino artists know how to knew how to talk
(23:38):
about race, and um, it was evident the industry looked
really bad. Well as bad as things are right because okay, okay,
you're sl me right, um either um henty like done
ones like you're not. That's not my point. My point
is not to put anybody down. My point is to
(24:00):
make people feel bad, Like what's the point of that?
Like either point? What did I saw? Right? My point is,
let's recognize the issues that that exists, right as a
continuation of many conversations that you've had a Mata and
people who have come before me, and let's get to
the point. Let's go to a solution like Bama Black Clad,
They're OK, and like, let's talk about these things exactly
(24:20):
how they are. So I've had the honor of talking
on race and music and Rolling Stone and l a times,
um talking about I get the own versus classical music,
which was an honor. Um. You know, my platform is
a bridge between academia and entertainment because I said, you know,
people really should have the tools to learn about their
(24:42):
own history. I was tired as a panamania like talking
about the vices of people looking at me like you're
so cute. We don't know what you're talking about, Like
what in Like that's crazy. Um. So at the it's
been a very difficult journey. Um, I made sure to
to give people our flowers and really have people understand that.
(25:06):
But I'm not because oh so, I'm not trying to
throw the industry array so that nobody's getting money. Let's
get money and let's do things right. Hip. Probably it's
based off off of the Civil Rights movement. There's a
legacy of centering blackness that should be evident in Latin
(25:30):
music and it's not. That is the point. Um. I
always feel like Latino and that aspect we're always a
little bit more like behind in comparison to like, you know,
even when you look at the African American community, and
then I think that that's why I also when I
was vocal about colorism and racism in my community as
(25:51):
an Alfri Latina, everybody was like, oh my god, what
you know? But that's because the Latino we're not necessarily
as outspoken. We haven't really been as you know, vocal
about our issues. We kind of conformal with knowing what
our place is and being like this is how they
(26:12):
treat us. We get it and we just do with it,
and this is how we go about it. And that's
not the way obviously to progress, whether it is in music,
whether it's in politics, whether it is in whatever industry. Um,
you have to be vocal about equality when it comes
to that, right. But UM, on a more positive light,
what the art is? Are there any artists out there
(26:34):
right now that you're like, be out in the lookout?
I um, most of us who are a trio of
Colombian our Afro Colombian Argentine sisters who are put in
the music out there. They just released a song called
Destino and now they're working on an afrobeats and we're
(26:55):
excited to see what comes from them. Melaner, we just
gotta say each old. Really, Melana, who's been you know
here for a little bit lay party with Nicana. She's
so pretty. Finale who makes like very upbeat music at
the den morn I have a threat on Twitter. I
have many threads on Twitter, but free to slide up
(27:19):
in my d m s because I always want to
be able to support a k you know that they
have a way that they're doing good. If there's any
way that I can at least post your music and
support some way somehow, I would love to be able
to do that because it starts with us. It's like, yes,
we hear about it, we know about it, um, but
(27:40):
then what are you doing? Because a lot of times
it's you know, will go support somebody that doesn't even
know who we are UM and doesn't add necessarily any
value to our community, But those that really do need
us we don't. So if there's anything that I can do,
count me in uh and later on in the future
being able to create something annually then we come together
(28:06):
and really do something. I'm definitely gonna have you in
mind that where can they follow you? Where can they
support you? Where can they hear more of your work?
Thank you? I really quick just want to give a
shout out to UM Afro Latino Festival because you know,
I feel like they've a large part of my my following,
(28:29):
my support of why I even got the visibility that
I needed UM is because they have an amazing event
that they pull every year, them being UM where they
like really make sure that we have a safe space.
So UM, but also thank you so much. UM is
(28:52):
available everywhere, but one on one is getting a face withthem.
We're excited for you guys to see that UM available
on all digital platforms and as well as for those
who are looking for a more academic type standardization of
all the information that I throw out there, check out
academy w dot what you heard it here? Umga, I'm
(29:19):
so grateful to have you as usual. Like I said,
it's always an honor talking to you and UH start
up in my d M. Show me how I can support,
show me what I gotta do, and I can see
I'm a big believer. Unite forces. We can only but
become stronger and become better. Thank you everyone once again
for joining me. And remember to follow exactly a Mada
(29:41):
Michael podcast on Instagram. You can also go check out
this podcast on YouTube by going to the search bar
and writing exactly a matter or a Madagra and you
find it all right there. And if you didn't know,
you know that this has been a production of My
Hearts Michael Cuda podcast Network. And for more podcast from
My Heart, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast,
(30:04):
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. This is
your girl. Exactly am
Welcome, Welcome guys with your girl and you're listening to
Exactly A Mada. Welcome back, guys. I've missed you all week. Batto.
I am grateful that you guys continue to download and
subscribe to Exactly Amada. I'm so grateful for that. I
love the reviews so far, so good, great reviews. I'm
(00:25):
grateful for it. You have to saw it, whether it
is on the YouTube channel or on the podcast, whether
it's good or bad, or comment or there's something specific
you want me to talk about that being a creement
and let me know what's happening, what's popping. And by
the way, let me send you with the stars. Let
me send you with the stars and rate us five
(00:46):
stars and share this podcast with your friends. You from
going everybody that you know to stop it. But anyways, um,
I definitely want to hear from you guys, and today
I want to get right to it. Because chat Chasm
we we have had several conversations in the past. I
think that she is beautiful, she's smart. I love the
(01:09):
fact that she's outspoken. She's also after Latina. She is
all about women empowerment. She supports and she supports more
than a lot of people that have bigger platforms could
She's created a movement, a wave. I mean she is
everything A lot of you guys see like I didn't
(01:29):
know her like that, but as soon as they told
me I'm not your guest today is She's from Bana
and she's a creator of a multimedia platform dedicated to
the history and evolution of Regestas. Welcome to exactly a
Madam Marten, Thank you for having me. What an introduction.
(01:54):
I feel that ten times about you. I love you
having to be here. Thank you know, I'm super proud
and honored to have you today on the show. I
feel like, um we I don't know why it hasn't
happened yet, but one of my dreams and I'm gonna
put it out to the Universethaniel somehow, even if it's
(02:16):
at the end of the year. I need to figure out,
you know what, I should write it down so I
don't forget. But um we need to do something where
the all the after latinos we really come together and
do something annually, something where we continue to support because
I really hate when when we start well I don't
want to say when we started, but it's very few
of us that use our platform and our voices not
(02:36):
only to entertain, but also to also to talk about
real things that happened in our community and all those things.
And you're one of those people that are very outspoken.
Wins that I see me once that I see it. Okay,
we have to uplift mass after Latinos or more Latino's overall.
So what inspires you to be so outspoken and vocal
(02:58):
when it comes to the music industry and also the
AFRI Latino community. Thank you there, Um, What can I say?
I created my platform in college. UM, I studied UM
the the industry. I studied racism in the industry. I
have the honor of interviewing some grades UM and the
data was depressing. Um. The data was was tough, you know,
(03:22):
and it painted me a very clear picture of just
how difficult it is to move in the Latin music industry. Right.
Moving in music is not easy in general. I know
you know this, so you're they here, Okay, if it's
this hard, let me make a platform for myself to
give myself a voice. And the way I moved just
in general, but both in front of them behind the camera.
(03:45):
You're simple Flores I'm very serious about that. I'm all
about giving people their flowers. I'm not a first and
I won't be the last. And the only way that
we will move forward is if we give each other
our our credit are flores and a space to really
be to be, you know, because none. So I'm grateful
(04:08):
that you know, the platform took off and me, Um,
if we don't see each other, who will you know?
Most definitely what inspired you UM specifically to do because
as you know, it's it's a it's a big part
(04:30):
of the community. But there's so many different genres, right
and didn't give ba laa like everything you can think of?
Why the genre specifically? Um? Yes, American? Now right, my
(04:53):
they talk about, um the Jamaicans who immigranted to Panama
to work in the Canal. I'm like, you made my
grand father the Panamins who speak Patua and Spanish. I'm
like me, what I love me? My mom ste s
So it's like it's it's just parallel to the history
of my family. UM. And of course I was raising Boston.
(05:15):
Shout out to Boston a bunch of bunny light holes.
I was raised by bunny like Dominicans. UM, shout out
to me, Bunny, I'm in d R right now, Um
shout down. You already know dang r yes um. I
(05:36):
was raised by Dominicans um and bodiq was and Natra.
It just stuck to me. You know, my mom she
would so um like that. Yes. So I became gata
by the person who was always throwing the house party's um,
(05:59):
you know, and it just pretty much came naturally, like
my love for you're nothing. To be honest. Now, now
here's something that has been debated for a very long time, right,
so jo and Puerto Rico local one of these Puerto
(06:21):
Ricueo las in Puerto Rico, the same thing I've heard
with Reggaeton. I don't know clarifying me, there's people that
say Puerto Rico when you talk like a legend, like
DJ Blast he says, you know, studying in Panama and Panama. So,
(06:42):
I don't know, how do you feel about it? Since
this is what you do? You know what both are right?
This is the thing. So I say that reggaetne right,
r E g g A E t o Nama and
that R E g U E t o and Puerto Rico.
(07:04):
Everybody gets their flowers Alfinan. No, no matter how you
spell it is the convention the Panama Right in the nineties,
Nando Boom was in the studio with Bobby Digital were
a sleepy wonder who were making the Dembo Pounder be
(07:25):
that the be that's Corasonno right, right, So to say
that it's not Panamanian, it's like it's literally incorrect. A
Panamanian was there in the studio as a part of
the process. Right. Um. I think it gets sticky because
in Latin that we like to stay close to like
(07:48):
our nation, like our nationality. The idea of a dual
nationality is like it's like foreign, right, I'm not Panamean,
I'm paname In Jamaican people hear that, they acknowledge, but
they still don't get it. You know, there's like a
subculture there and so I get it and that when
people say, oh no, it's like yeah, but the Panamans
(08:11):
are the Jamaicans in this instance. You know, Um, you
gotta recognize the subculture otherwise you're literally erasing us in
a contribution. Meanwhile, noos to be honest, like right, they
really put in their work, nobody now they right? Um?
(08:35):
I love you like right, but at the same time.
So that's how I go about it. Both are right,
It's just it has to be explained that way otherwise,
and that's not fair. Okay, I I agree. I mean
(09:03):
I didn't know its history per se the way that
you are describing it. Important about having these conversations because
now it also makes me feel like I want to
go over there and do my own research to find out.
You know what it is. Um here you go something
else that I also have heard in something else. I
want you to break down to me because there has
(09:24):
always been like a white washing, you know, white washing
when it comes to music. Um, now, what's happening when
it comes to you feel that this is currently happening.
It's something that happened. I think that we are pastgeton.
I don't think what's being made right now could even
be considered. I think it's considered. I call it. It's
(09:47):
like popet like even to the max. Because you know
when the Colombians Colombia UM literally not my words the
words of Maloma, the words of Jay Balvin is literally
(10:10):
they took off the timbales, They took off every African
instrument from the music to make it something that's a
little bit more pop. Um. And you know, people can
do what they want. But my mom, so it's a tendencia.
And that's why a lot of the music we hear now,
(10:32):
I don't hear the Lanka anymore. That's too like quote
and quote ghatto. Some people even have the cohors old
school Yeah, which opinion? Um, So with that sun, Um, Yes,
there's been a whitewashing. It was deliberate. It was intentional, um,
(10:54):
both by way of the artists and also by way
of the industry. Um. And sadly, if in these rooms
there aren't enough people to tell you're like, hey, hey,
you make that, and we also make you know, No,
nobody's in the room stopping this from happening. So I mean,
(11:14):
why why do you think that there? Why do you
think that they're not stopping it? Do you think it's convenience?
Because I'm gonna be honest, um, being being in the
music industry since I was you know, a really you
know young girl, it's harder. Obviously. I feel that if
this would have been a whole bunch of like sech
and a whole bunch of like, I don't know, a
(11:37):
whole bunch of morenos being the ones to sing their
own music, their own cultural stuff or whatever. It wouldn't
be as accepted as obviously when it's cookie cutter and
they clean up the quote unquote image. Because a lot
of the times, if you go to the studio, in
the studio there's a whole bunch of either Jamaicans, Morenos, Latinos,
(11:59):
Dominican banan, there's a whole bunch of us, but when
they come up on stage, none of them look like us.
So I do believe that it's part of convenience, um,
because it's you know, it's the market, it's society, standards
of beauty, it's all those things. Do you feel that
that's ever going to change? Do you ever do you
(12:20):
feel that there's gonna be a wave? Which sucks to
even kind of a wave. They shouldn't be a wave,
But do you think there will ever be progressed in
that aspect that will be a whole bunch of us
singing our own music without it having to be you know,
kind of washed a little bit. I'm trying so hard
to not be like, yes, everything you're saying, because you know,
(12:42):
like you've been on the block, you know this, Um.
Do I think they'll be a wave. This is the thing,
and and this is what makes it difficult, right, Um,
and what I was trying to like finish up with
at the I get it, but I'm in the studio now,
so now out of my yant and I'm like, this
(13:03):
costs money. Um, you know I do you want to
play the game or not? So this is the thing.
I feel like in order for that to happen and
to be successful, they would really have to be when
I'm young, right, we would really need to have a conversation,
have to get together and be intentional and like make
(13:26):
it happen, reclaim the culture and let other people do
what they want to do. Um. And sadly, because I
get come in. I understand that you know you want
to make the songs that you know are going to
hit the radios, that you know certain markets are gonna
turn the quick book, right, and when it comes time
down to make the music that you want to make, No,
(13:49):
I animal, no, I like urso No, I you know
it's difficult, right, So I feel like, in order afraid
to happen right now, there's a wave which I agree
with you that it shouldn't be a wave. It should
be the dominant. Um. There's a wave of like there
are people who are tired of this sagatum circle and
I'm living for it. Um. They're making like pereo, like
(14:10):
actual pereo um oi in thea um mochosa Requila. We
really need to like listen to like lo paavo. But
it's a lot of give and take. It's complicated, it
isn't it's the point? Yeah, do you feel that the
(14:38):
same thing happens UM when it comes to because I
know that I think, okay, so were the relevant as
important whether you're after Latin or just as a Latina industry,
how much harder is it or how do you feel
that as women we have evolved in regat because in
(15:00):
the days there were very few dona Is obviously you
know one that would still get and with female is
ev right, Ivy queens and Anthiana, you know it. It
was kind of hard because to my understanding, we all
admired her as women because she was one of the few.
(15:22):
She also when there with a more masculine energy in
order to be respected, in order to be UM. Now,
obviously she came out more feminine and I feel that
it almost affected her a little bit because people wanted
to see that that tough, that toughness in her. But
then at the same time, now we see that are
(15:46):
much more sexualized, are much more sexi or ec and
handed out cambiallo. But when you listen to cat g
or Becky g or Natasha, or you listen to the
women that are now predominating, how do you feel that
don't have evolved and changed for women? I think you
said it perfectly in the Queen so La Patriot route
(16:13):
gown um who you know, she was a little bit
on the I'd say on, yeah, on the masculine side,
Tambia and going the heater was handed on, you know,
thinking about women's autonomy and sexual agency in Mexico. Oh
my god, we definitely I feel that so many times
(16:35):
we talked about and we've been leaving him out, but
when I missed them both right, you know, I'm that
much older, but he was like the first person I
can think of that was singing reg but we here
now as reget do you play that music? So I
(16:57):
definitely am like, yeah, if that you're right, you know
I did, but um Panama or no, definitely, So the
first of all handedo Urbano Panama Um and he was
(17:17):
in a quarta. It was actually him and not the book,
No excuse me. It was Renato and handed On and
Reggae Sam. They were the four first group um of
Hando and that they translated music from Patua to Spanish,
(17:38):
made Soka, made dance so mid regae, and then and
handed On went a little bit more commercial, made what
we call now Regaton produced by Michael Ellis UM and
he rest in peace. Um and Dada. She was the
one who could hang with the guys. Um, but even
queen and answering the previous with the women, I would
(17:59):
definitely say that the earlier women and I mean evy
queen at a glory glow Um had to like tap
into their you know, their hood sign to like make
the men forget that they are women. Um. And I'm
very happy now that they're more women. But elas like negras,
(18:25):
like you know, I'm tired of feeling crazy. It's actually
what influenced me to give it a shot, honestly, being
inspired by you, being inspired by Salia, being inspired by
I'm like, I'm tired of the industry, feeling like there
could only be one great Negra like and it's like
and yet, um, I'm tired of seeing us added into
(18:48):
token playlists plist Yeah no, no, no playlist. You know
What's like just like just like they'll they'll do the
it's Black History month, you know, after so in that
(19:12):
month it will be like the most light that you're
gonna get after that is like, you know, I was surprised,
not the way I'm indeed super talented, but I was
surprised when I saw such come out. I was like,
whoa do we have a black person? And it wasn't
a black cooking cutter. It was just he's talented. This
(19:33):
is what it is. I look like this, it's like
a I whatever. Um, do I feel that he gets
as much flowers as he could in comparison to other talents? No?
Do I feel that. I almost feel like they opened
the door for him. And it's like, y'all need to
be grateful, right that we allowed him, Like he's the
one that's going to represent all of y'all. That's it.
(19:54):
We got one. And if you look at the billboards
and you look at the charts, you can actually count
out with one hand equ without how many negroes or more.
After this in the end, are really on this list.
It's like I don't want to say that they took
our music or culture book. I know that I understand
how perhaps we have influenced. We are music, our culture,
(20:18):
our sound or food, our style, our hairstyle or everything
are features all of us have affected the whole world,
you know what I'm saying, not just musically. So I
get that part, Okay, someone who names speed we are
It's okay, Like I get it, and that we don't
(20:39):
want to ruffle no feathers. But it's it's okay to
say that they stole because I did, you know, like
but even like it hurts turning on the TV and
it's like, look at everything about me except me, Like
that hurts, you know, like, h it's true. And then
(21:03):
that's what they'll do. Okay. Commercially is more accepted. They
sing it, they become rich, they become the image now
with this music, with the sound is and you completely
get discredit, You completely get erased from the map, even
though that you created this. So I definitely agree. Um
(21:25):
if it is hard to see it, and I'll ask
you this too, you've been um in the Rolling Stone magazine.
We need to see at eight times you have done
it all. Tell us about the work you're doing right
now and how can we support you? Know what you're doing.
It's been a journey. Um. I started off in Lamega
(21:49):
in Boston, um, talking about race and colors, and there
I realized like, if I'm gonna reach a bigger audience,
I need to take more to the internet. Um the
hella mega uh um. And then I started doing more
interviews behind the scenes, like behind concerts, which I from
was very difficult because I remember I interviewed you in
(22:11):
in um Boston, yeah, um with that beautiful blue Manda,
You're so pretty. Yeah. So I started like that, you know,
doing behind the scenes. But that's not easy because perfect example,
you were exhausted, do not get you wanted to go home?
I get it, um, you know, and artists just gave
(22:32):
us they're all on stage and then it's nothing easy. Um.
And then you know like, um, so we won't be
there on Twitter virang and I expanded my base from
there and Poco Contrado um, and I was tapped on
(22:57):
the shoulder. Um. It was like a two way street.
My point. Um, Yes, I was doing this work, but
also I feel like the industry was ready to have
these conversations in writing, but I didn't know whose shoulder
to tap, And it's it's a gamble, right, talking about
these topics. It's difficult because the publicists are right there.
(23:17):
I get that feather. So I was tapped on the
shoulder to write an op ed for Club because that
the summer when George Floyd died and everybody was really
showing their colors and it was really bad. Um, nobody
didn't really know how to talk about nobody like no
white Latino artists know how to knew how to talk
(23:38):
about race, and um, it was evident the industry looked
really bad. Well as bad as things are right because okay, okay,
you're sl me right, um either um henty like done
ones like you're not. That's not my point. My point
is not to put anybody down. My point is to
(24:00):
make people feel bad, Like what's the point of that?
Like either point? What did I saw? Right? My point is,
let's recognize the issues that that exists, right as a
continuation of many conversations that you've had a Mata and
people who have come before me, and let's get to
the point. Let's go to a solution like Bama Black Clad,
They're OK, and like, let's talk about these things exactly
(24:20):
how they are. So I've had the honor of talking
on race and music and Rolling Stone and l a times,
um talking about I get the own versus classical music,
which was an honor. Um. You know, my platform is
a bridge between academia and entertainment because I said, you know,
people really should have the tools to learn about their
(24:42):
own history. I was tired as a panamania like talking
about the vices of people looking at me like you're
so cute. We don't know what you're talking about, Like
what in Like that's crazy. Um. So at the it's
been a very difficult journey. Um, I made sure to
to give people our flowers and really have people understand that.
(25:06):
But I'm not because oh so, I'm not trying to
throw the industry array so that nobody's getting money. Let's
get money and let's do things right. Hip. Probably it's
based off off of the Civil Rights movement. There's a
legacy of centering blackness that should be evident in Latin
(25:30):
music and it's not. That is the point. Um. I
always feel like Latino and that aspect we're always a
little bit more like behind in comparison to like, you know,
even when you look at the African American community, and
then I think that that's why I also when I
was vocal about colorism and racism in my community as
(25:51):
an Alfri Latina, everybody was like, oh my god, what
you know? But that's because the Latino we're not necessarily
as outspoken. We haven't really been as you know, vocal
about our issues. We kind of conformal with knowing what
our place is and being like this is how they
(26:12):
treat us. We get it and we just do with it,
and this is how we go about it. And that's
not the way obviously to progress, whether it is in music,
whether it's in politics, whether it is in whatever industry. Um,
you have to be vocal about equality when it comes
to that, right. But UM, on a more positive light,
what the art is? Are there any artists out there
(26:34):
right now that you're like, be out in the lookout?
I um, most of us who are a trio of
Colombian our Afro Colombian Argentine sisters who are put in
the music out there. They just released a song called
Destino and now they're working on an afrobeats and we're
(26:55):
excited to see what comes from them. Melaner, we just
gotta say each old. Really, Melana, who's been you know
here for a little bit lay party with Nicana. She's
so pretty. Finale who makes like very upbeat music at
the den morn I have a threat on Twitter. I
have many threads on Twitter, but free to slide up
(27:19):
in my d m s because I always want to
be able to support a k you know that they
have a way that they're doing good. If there's any
way that I can at least post your music and
support some way somehow, I would love to be able
to do that because it starts with us. It's like, yes,
we hear about it, we know about it, um, but
(27:40):
then what are you doing? Because a lot of times
it's you know, will go support somebody that doesn't even
know who we are UM and doesn't add necessarily any
value to our community, But those that really do need
us we don't. So if there's anything that I can do,
count me in uh and later on in the future
being able to create something annually then we come together
(28:06):
and really do something. I'm definitely gonna have you in
mind that where can they follow you? Where can they
support you? Where can they hear more of your work?
Thank you? I really quick just want to give a
shout out to UM Afro Latino Festival because you know,
I feel like they've a large part of my my following,
(28:29):
my support of why I even got the visibility that
I needed UM is because they have an amazing event
that they pull every year, them being UM where they
like really make sure that we have a safe space.
So UM, but also thank you so much. UM is
(28:52):
available everywhere, but one on one is getting a face withthem.
We're excited for you guys to see that UM available
on all digital platforms and as well as for those
who are looking for a more academic type standardization of
all the information that I throw out there, check out
academy w dot what you heard it here? Umga, I'm
(29:19):
so grateful to have you as usual. Like I said,
it's always an honor talking to you and UH start
up in my d M. Show me how I can support,
show me what I gotta do, and I can see
I'm a big believer. Unite forces. We can only but
become stronger and become better. Thank you everyone once again
for joining me. And remember to follow exactly a Mada
(29:41):
Michael podcast on Instagram. You can also go check out
this podcast on YouTube by going to the search bar
and writing exactly a matter or a Madagra and you
find it all right there. And if you didn't know,
you know that this has been a production of My
Hearts Michael Cuda podcast Network. And for more podcast from
My Heart, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcast,
(30:04):
or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. This is
your girl. Exactly am
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.