Chilean cumbia exists: Américo returns to Lima and tells which Peruvian composers he admires

Chilean singer americo is about to return to Peru after a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, the famous cumbia performer will arrive as a guest of the tour of the Los Angeles Azules group, which will be presented on the Arena Peru stage on June 9.

From Chile, the artist spoke with El Comercio to tell details of his reunion with the Peruvian public, the successes of his new album “Cumbia despechada” that he will perform in this prelude show for his next tour of the United States and everything What do you think about the rise of the urban genre today?

In addition, he revealed that although there is nothing planned at the moment, he would have no problem collaborating with an urban artist, of course, as long as “it sounds coherent.”

—You return to Peru for a show as the opening act for Los Angeles Azules, how do you feel about this reunion with the Peruvian public?

I am very happy, blessed. I am very fortunate that this presentation in Peru is given as a guest and part of the Blue Angels tour. Personally, I am very moved to return to Peru, connect with people again, I am very eager to eat a good ceviche, anticucho and drink pisco sour.

Is this your first time since the pandemic? What expectations do you have with the reunion with the Peruvian public?

Yes, it is the reunion with the country. The first thing will be to thank through cumbia and return the affection of the people. The point is to stay cautious so that the public can be surprised, I’m going to sing with all my love and my heart.

—This presentation in Peru will give the kick-off to your tour that you will carry out in the United States, how do you live this moment?

Yes, Peru will be the prelude to the tour of the United States that I will have for a month, I hope to take all the energy of South America with me. I am happy, excited to return to the stage with live shows. This is our work, sustenance for the team and the possibility as an artist to continue feeding what we generate in life.

—In Peru and the world you are recognized for your versions of songs such as “Embrujo”, “Te vas”, “Que raise la mano”, How important is Peruvian cumbia in your career?

I was born in Arica, Chile, so I have many experiences and memories in Peru, there is a great connection. On the artistic side, my career is full of Peruvian compositions and authors, I have been lucky enough to share with many and cross interpretations, always my respect with all of them, in each of my presentations I usually openly say who it is, who did and so with everyone. There is a lot of connection and respect.

—Even the industry has left you with good Peruvian friends. Will you work with any of them in the short term?

I’d love to! Now that we have resumed activities, I would like to close those projects that were pending with Tony Succar, Amy Gutiérrez. I like the idea of ​​a project with Group 5, we are friends with Elmer (Yaipén) and the boys. I think it would be a very important meeting. If given the opportunity, I would be delighted.

—About your new album “Cumbia despechada”, how was it born and what is its meaning in your career?

The title already says it, it is a project with a lot of pain, disappointment of love. It is an album that was born in a pandemic with all the feelings that surrounded us, the stress, the uncertainty and the fear that we felt. Many relationships were very moved, so here we are singing to that. There are songs that are very painful, heartfelt and I love the album, if you don’t dance with a glass in your hand it doesn’t make much sense.

—How different has it been working under the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic?

I was lucky to have made the album with my musicians. Many artists fantasize and think that if we go to Los Angeles it will be better for us, although it is true that there are things that are earned, but this time I did it with my team and that helped everything flow. You give your tastes and professionally there are things that are earned, but who receives all this is the people, so we give them the best. I recorded my first album in a room with some acoustics, the result was fantastic, people received it quite well. I was able to go to Abbey Road and maybe it didn’t work out.

—About your musical evolution, at what stage are you as an artist?

I am a cassette artist, the evolution has been tremendous. Today everything is digital and I had the pleasure of releasing something on vinyl, it has been all for the better, there is an obligation at this point in my life that everything has to be more mature, calmly and testing what could be learned . It has been a good and beautiful evolution.

—With almost 40 years of experience, you have seen the evolution of music so far, where collaborations and mergers prevail. Is there the possibility of working on a feat with someone of the urban genre?

If a producer appears who can place us in a good way, who sounds coherent, I think so. They have earned a space, they have the technology, the platforms and they are a complete combo… They are going to continue to evolve, in 2000 many thought that reggaeton was going to pass quickly and look now, they are not going to leave, they are have adapted and ready. When you see a Bad Bunny involved in WWE, it is obvious that they are not going to leave; you have to learn to share.

—Since you mention Bad Bunny, what do you think of the urban artists that have emerged?

I imagine that in the best time of the cumbia, if we had been showing bills or on top of a Lamborghini, it would not have gone so well for us (laughs). Today they are the kings, you have to applaud them and to the extent that one can learn from theirs it would be great. They have not come to take anything away from us, the public that loves you is there and has another way of communicating, nothing more.

—Have you been invited or would you like to participate in a television program in Peru?

I would love to be there, I know there are programs like “Yo Soy Perú”, “La Voz Perú”. I would very much like to be in a season of a musical program with such special formats.

—The theme of a series was pending, have you taken up this project again?

We have to go back to it, I still love the idea, I have a lot of stories to tell that will surely manage to represent a lot of people, I hope I have the space, time and peace of mind to do it and that I keep this record of so many things lived with music, with ups and downs, it’s all part of the way.

“Have you thought about retirement?”

I would retire today, I am very tired (laughs). I don’t think I’m far from the stage, I feel like I still have a lot of strength left. I thought about it in 2004 because things weren’t working out for me. Today the reality is very different, so it would not make much sense to withdraw. I’m at my best, maybe I am not in Viña del Mar, financially we are just resuming activities, but personally I feel calmer and aware of everything, with a very strong power of decision. If there is something I don’t want to do, I have the ability to say no, that power gives me great peace of mind.