Fuego-Fuego: The best stories came in small letters.

My first published article. It was published in a small magazine but it has a special place in my heart. I will put it here so if you haven't seen it yet you can enjoy it. If you want to see the magazine where it was publish click here >https://issuu.com/latinosmagazine/docs/junio_2024?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

How would you feel if someone offered you the opportunity to present at one of the biggest music festivals of your culture, sharing the stage with the biggest artists of the moment? Fuego-Fuego is a Music Festival that takes place in Montreal. It is the biggest Latin music Festival in Canada. It reunites the Latin culture with the sound of reggaeton. In the line-up, we can see in big letters artists like Maluma or Rauw Alejandro who are the biggest exponents of the genre worldwide. But we cannot forget all those artists in smaller letters at the end of the line-up. How did they get there? What is this festival representing for them? Primo, Cahnei and Mariana Gueza are three of the artists that fit in this category. For some of them is the first time in the festival. Presenting here is a great place to show their talent and music.

Cahnei is a Cuban girl who came to Canada at an early age. She is a talented singer who just started in the music industry. Her music shows her roots and her culture with reggaeton and urban style. Her authenticity and kindness are reflected in their work, she wants to find out her style and own brand, but something is clear, all the Caribbean flow is there ready for an incredible journey in the Latin music industry.

Courtesy by Spotify. All rights to Spotify

Mariana Gueza is a Mexican artist who knows what it means to be an artist, a brand, and the new skills that a singer must have to position themselves in this industry. Her music is a mix of genres and inspirations. Her music style is inspired by artists like Beyonce, Billie Eilish, and Linkin Park. But her lyrics have their roots in artists like Alejandro Sanz and Juan Gabriel, who are recognized for the message in their songs.

Courtesy by Spotify. All rights to Spotify.

Primo, a Canadian with a Colombian background who wants to show the world the importance of embracing both cultures. He is always looking for new and authentic music, styles, and ideas. A dreamer who wants to connect with different genres and countries. He explains how the Latin industry is taking baby steps here in Canada with movements that show the talent and flavour of this culture and the importance of representation to all newcomers.

Courtesy by Spotify. All rights to Spotify.

For the three of them, Fuego-Fuego is a perfect space to jump into the public eye, a big billboard that can get to a large number of people. "I always wanted to be part of such an incredible event. And finally, this year, I am," Primo said. A stage where all the differences are accepted. It is the ideal place to understand the diversity and talent culture that is Latin America. The effort, time and money invested in this event only represent the importance that this kind of music has. "Have all of these cultures mixed together. I think it's beautiful. So then just to continue to all come together and make more events like this one to showcase our local artists and also just artists from all over the world," Cahnei said.

These artists don’t want to just be in Latin music, they want to go beyond that, uniting cultures and rhythms. Primo is a great example of it, "So my goal for sure, whenever I'm making music or whenever I release music is to bring people joy," Primo is making one of the most interesting projects heard by the public. Mixing the South American with the African Flow. He is making music with the Canadian-Nigerian Bolu Ajibade. These two artists are showing a new and different kind of rhythm mixing afrobeat with the urban-Latin flow. This album is still under making but it is an innovative idea that is going to bring together two genres, two cultures and a lot of people.

This industry is not ideal like everything. Women weren’t part of the picture a few years ago, but now they are the ones leading the charts and making the numbers in the international eyes. Cahnei and Mariana Gueza know their path and how hard it can be. In both interviews, they talk about how this industry has become art into business and you can see two different women with the same dream and with a clear idea of how to get to the success. “Your product is yourself, As an artist the product is not your feelings, is what you think, your values, and everything you are,” Mariana said “If you don't know yourself you can't dominate it, and you can't be authentic because you will look like a person from somewhere else, but if you are authentic, you will be unique,”. Cahnei said something that gets the main point of this. "It's so motivating because like, oh, you know what? There's a spot for each one of us," And that is the goal of all those women who for decades have dedicated their lives to music, making space for all the new talents that are growing.

A text can’t do justice to the good vibes and kindness that these artists have. They are here to show their music, to make history and to represent all the diversity that is in Latin America. Marian has a vision of the industry as the perfect mix between business and art “I believe that we have a social responsibility when we get to a certain level and the fact of forcing ourselves to make each other better artists and better people, because being a better person makes you a better artist is a social skill even for your audience,” Without any doubt, this Festival is going to be a success and for Cahnei, Primo and Mariana Gueza (and the others that will be in Montreal) this opportunity will be amazing, and congratulations on the big step into this industry.