We had the opportunity to interview two influential Paradise Worldwide label managers, Adrian Trino Perez, who is based in Mexico City, and Julio Galvez, who is based in New York City. Both offer invaluable insights into the current landscape of Latin heritage, culture, and music. Enjoy their perspectives!
Trino’s Insights from Mexico City
Q: What are the vibes in CDMX? What are you most excited about in the region, but more importantly, globally?
A: “Mexico City is currently the #1 city for many music artists worldwide. More than 20 million people live here, which translates into a lot of passion for music in general. In the past six months, we’ve seen the rise of ‘Regional Mexicano’, which, for the first time in history, has gone viral worldwide. It makes me very proud to see this happening.”
Q: Can you share some artists making waves for me and my friends to check out?
A: “For sure! Peso Pluma from Guadalajara, Mexico, has now become a global sensation. His lyrics, particular tone of voice and style of dancing are very cool. On the other hand, I would recommend BZRP from Argentina; he is a global phenomenon. Curious fact: he has also collaborated with Peso Pluma after huge success this year with Shakira (from Colombia). It’s now an interesting time for young Latino artists!”
Q: Why do you think the Latin market has been booming lately?
A: “I now see a crossover of all Latin music genres. Latinos in the US are singing and making Mexican music like Yahritza y su esencia, Grupo Frontera collab with Bad Bunny, and Shakira singing with Fuerza Regida. It’s now all a huge mix of sounds, genres and flavors. The cool thing is all of this is booming worldwide!”
Q: Do you think you’ll see more Latin artists collaborating with international artists? Why is that important?
A: “Definitely, and not only with the usual suspects from Reggaeton or Regional Mexicano, but I’m also rock bands like The Wanted from Mexico, being chosen by Metallica as part of their albums. Now is a cool era to be Latino and proud of your roots.”
Q: Where’s a great place to listen to these and other incredible Latin artists?
A: “There’s a cool Spotify playlist I’ve been vibing lately called Hot Now. They do an excellent job featuring the best Latino artists.”
Q: Who are some Latin artists you’re working closely with? Can you let us in on what they’re working on?
A: “Lucía Haze is a Mexican DJ and producer who has worked very hard on her career in the past years. She has a very cool label called Deepinside Records, which has very cool house music. Also, in Mexico City, Drecords is doing an amazing job. Commanded by Don Alex Albert & Suricata, the label always nails it! They do a lot of house, techno, and electronica, which they not only share with their fans here in Mexico but have also been building bridges with people from France and Spain. Very cool guys as well!”
Julio’s Perspectives from New York City
Q: What are the vibes in NYC? What are you most excited about in the region?
A: “The vibes are incredible here in New York, the scene is vibrant and diverse, the clubs are packed, and the local artists are creating some of the most amazing music I’ve heard come out of here in a while. It’s safe to say that New York is producing some of the best underground electronic music, spanning Latin to Techno, in the Americas, and it’s continuing to spread far and wide. I’m excited for the newcomers’ new energy, as well as some of the more established artists taking more risks and evolving in their sound and creative approach.”
Q: Can you share a couple of Latin artists you’re into?
A: “Globally, it’s dope to see Karol G make some big waves, i.e. presenting at the VMA’s and trending on charts worldwide. I’m digging her style and flow. One time for Colombia! South America in general, is having a beautiful moment, and it’s incredible to hear a lot of banging Brazilian Baile Funk artists getting their shine in the underground scene and beyond. And, of course, so many talented artists are coming out of CDMX and seeing international stardom. It’s beautiful to see!
Q: Why do you think the Latin market has been booming lately?
A: “It’s undeniably fresh. The flavor, the beats, the rhythms, the lyrics, it’s sexy, it’s moving, it’s cultural and deep, it’s real life. Latin music connects people globally, and we can no longer separate or ignore the Latin American market from the rest of the world. This is why we are seeing a huge emergence of cross-over collaborations from almost every other region and genre in the world. Latinos are 100% a part of the conversation.”
Q: Do you think you’ll see more Latin artists collaborating with international artists? Why is that important?
A: “Absolutely, we’ve seen it happening on a large scale with Bad Bunny and Beyonce and Drake, but now producers are getting in on the action with a lot of collabs in the electronic market. Music should never be confined to a box or ‘genre’ – if it’s hot, it’s hot – there is so much authenticity in these new connections with artists all over the world – what may have been untouched in the past is now most definitely a part of the norm. There is so much more diversity, inclusion and creativity flowing amongst artists, new and old, and the boundaries are slowly getting erased. This is great for music and great for humanity.”
Q: Where’s a great place to listen to these and other incredible Latin artists?
A: “Anywhere – Spotify and Apple Music are doing a great job of highlighting Latino artists on their many playlists. YouTube Music is an amazing tool for discovery, and Beatport/Traxsource is the industry standard for DJs. Whether Reggaeton to House or Techno, there are flavors for everyone. You’ll always find gems the harder you dig, but Latin artists are everywhere now, and they’ve become synonymous with the global market. Even checking out DJs who are including Latin artists in their mixes and live performances i.e. remixes or edits. Some of these edits are insane!”
Q: Who are some Latin artists you’re working closely with? Can you let us in on what they’re working on?
A: “I’m hyped for Toribio’s new project, ‘Tongue In Cheeks’, which dropped recently on BDA Records. He played an insane set at Boiler Room in New York and has been smashing it lately. DJ COZY is one of the flyest, most up-and-coming DJs/producers in Brooklyn, and we’re cooking something nice for his debut album on his label, The Electrik Company. PINTO (NYC) is club ready! Extremely consistent and has been getting a ton of support from Beatport, as well as from the likes of Carl Cox, Seth Troxler, and more, and his label, Jack City Records, has no sign of slowing down in 2024. Wendy Escobar is set to release her new single soon, and it’s proper sultry vibes for your listening pleasure. I’m very excited for her new single to drop on Escodisco Records. And word on the street is The Whooligan & JaronPaulJones also have a deep, lo-fi house cut dropping on December 22nd on Room Service Music.”
