During the three years that Silvana Estrada (Coatepec, Mexico, 28 years old) dedicated to the composition of her new album, Gentle rains will comethe expectations that the industry and the public placed on this young prodigy of Latin American music almost overwhelmed her. “The album had to be new, but different, fresh, but more transparent, futuristic, but new… It was impossible to silence the voices,” admits the three-time Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter. The trial was stormy, he even thought that his name might be erased from the public’s memory, but he managed to escape the wave of criticism advertising hype and follow the dictates of “his instinct”. Now, in the midst of a world tour, he no longer feels the pressure: “I know I came into the world to release these songs.”
While your classmates listened to Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, you preferred Mercedes Sosa or Billie Holiday. Have you found it difficult to connect in class?
It was always difficult for me, but it wasn’t because of the music. I felt more mature than the others, I was a very lonely and sensitive girl so I put up a wall to protect myself. I didn’t have a good friendship until I was 17, but kids didn’t make me bullying. My teachers did this to me because I had curly hair. It’s something very racist that was a source of ridicule at my school.
What does Silvana Estrada listen to when she goes out to party?
I love going out dancing salsa and cumbia. I also like afrobeat, dancehall and reggaeton. This may sound harsh, but I grew up twerking. In Latin American neighborhoods, reggaeton is already folklore.
How does Generation Z love it and how is it different from its predecessors?
It feels like a sort of orphanage when faced with love. On the one hand, we grew up with Disney romantic love and “together forever,” but we also took a liking to polyamory and open relationships. We gain the freedom to explore, but we are not emancipated from romantic illusion. We’re trying to figure out how to love – these are turbulent, but exciting times.
He publicly confessed his admiration Rosalie. Have you contacted her?
I wrote a heartfelt message about his music on Instagram and he thanked me. I saw it at the Grammys but accessing it is very complicated, it’s shielded. I am very moved by the superstars, these perfect women who work and sacrifice so much. I hope the industry takes care of her, nothing can happen to that girl.
Do you think the performance of Bad bunny at halftime of the next Super Bowl is already a milestone for Latin music?
It’s a pride. Bad Bunny speaks openly about the political conflicts facing Puerto Rico and has refused to tour the United States for fear of ICE deportations. I am very happy with your choice because today more than ever Latinos in the United States need to feel represented. The state is chasing away the people who have been building their lives there for years.
When did you first realize that your singing talent was superior to that of others?
Since I was little because I saw that my parents and my brother, who was never very affectionate with me, liked to see me sing. They’re musicians and they’re brutally honest. Since we are not religious, I remember singing a lot in the bathrooms and in places where there was a lot of echo to look for that reverberation of the churches. I was shocked to hear my voice echoing through the walls, it was a mystical and very happy moment for a girl.
Does a songwriter write better with a full heart or a broken heart?
Both have their magic. With a broken heart the path to song is clearer, but a peaceful heart demands more attention. It asks you to be more present and open your eyes because the desire is less evident. We’re all a little heartbroken about the state of the world these days, so there’s a lot to talk about.
He just promoted his new album in the United States. Have you noticed a more hostile environment towards Latinos?
In New York I didn’t notice it because I was working, but in the summer I was in Puerto Rico and I found the ICE men waiting for the deportation flights coming from Colombia or the Dominican Republic. It influenced me a lot. In airports, which is honestly where I spend most of my time, there is an atmosphere of fear.
What does someone who will travel half of Europe in a month pack in their suitcase, from Madrid to Reykjavik?
I love planning my suitcase. Everything is measured because I have back problems, I can’t carry weight and it saddens me that the people I travel with carry it. Besides my clothes show, They are interchangeable blouses and skirts to wash, I am very simple: with nice trousers, a blouse and a sweater I am happy.
