During Billboard’s Latin Music Week, four figures from the urban scene and Mexican music — including singer-songwriters, producers and rappers — shared their views on their creative processes and the paths they have taken within the music industry.
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The panel “How I Wrote That Song: Urban and Mexican Music Editing,” presented by BMI, took place on Tuesday (Oct. 15) and was moderated by Jesus Gonzalezvp de creative, Latin en BMI.
González was accompanied by the corrido singer-songwriter Herdsthe producer Caleb CallowayPuerto Rican rapper/singer Alvaro Diazthe singer-songwriter Alexis Fierro “Chachito” and the producer Albert Hype.
Below are some of the best phrases from the panel “How I Wrote That Song: Urban and Mexican Music Edition”:
Álvaro Díaz on his creative process: “Sayonara It has truly been a great blessing. I fell in love with the sound, especially in Puerto Rico. Pursuing projects that have their own identity, sounding like Álvaro Díaz and not anyone else, is crucial. At the end of the day, the artists that stand out are those who dare. Things are always changing. I always prefer to be alone, I like to enter the studio and flow with what we are feeling. Having the privilege of working with someone like Yandel or someone like Rauw, who started from scratch with us, it is more challenging to compose on your own. The trick should always be to continually learn, never assume you know everything.”
Caleb Calloway on his first album Hayabusa: “It’s exciting. It has been a process. I have always admired many people in the industry. I want to have my own label. Alvarito and I did it all on our own. I always had the vision. Be yourself. We want to promote. With the money we have, we need to support these artists. [Young Miko] now he’s a superstar (for whom Calloway has been producing since his inception). Having an identity takes time. “Keep playing, keep looking for your identity, it will take you to another level.”
Action on going from startup to hitmaker: “At 13 or 14 years old, when I was a soccer player, I realized that I could make songs and decided to learn to play the guitar. It became my passion; day and night he didn’t let go of the guitar. I work with Oscar Maydon, he gives me ideas and I make them concrete. What I enjoy most is starting from scratch with artists and watching them grow. The way I work, I have a formula: at night, I clear my mind and start writing titles. Of about 30, I choose two. For me, the important thing is the experiences; For example, the first time I saw a bottle of Dom Pérignon in a club with the words ‘Lady Gaga’ on it inspired me to write ‘Lady Gaga’. [de Peso Pluma]”.
Armenta on his creative process: “Since I was 11 years old, I have been [inmerso] in corridos, Mexican music influenced by figures such as Juan Gabriel, Joan Sebastian and Los Tucanes. The transition to composer meant adapting to global styles. It is important to decide what space you want to be in; The intention of the melody, whether sad or happy, is crucial, although studying music theory can be a bit boring. But you need to understand it; Major keys allow a melody to make up 70% of a song’s impact. Sticky hooks are essential. You have to accept that you will not always be the best, but life gives you talent and, with dedication and hard work, you can [destacar]”.
Albert Hype on bridging the gap between regional and urban: “I started making beats in 2015 after playing in several punk bands. A lot of my style comes from playing in rock bands, and now I’m in the Latin scene, trying to incorporate rock into it. I met Ivan [Cornejo] at an event Billboard; It was already on my radar. The regional Mexican genre is huge now, it reminds me of reggaeton in 2019 when there was a massive revival. That is what is happening with the regional; helping to push that genre forward. I feel like we are closing the gaps that used to exist between the regional and the urban.”
Latin Music Week coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards, which will air Sunday, October 20 at 9 pm ET on Telemundo. It will also be available simultaneously on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app, and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
