In our Q&A sequence Tell Me Más, we ask a few of our favourite Latinx artists to reply the questions solely their BFFs learn about them, revealing all the pieces from their most up-to-date learn to the songs that get them hyped. This month, Dominican Republic’s rising star, Letón Pé’ takes the take a look at, and we’re all ears.
Hailing from Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, Letón Pé’s is a star within the making. For those that have been witnessing her regular profession progress, the rise appears imminent. At the top of 2023, she acquired a serious shoutout from Rolling Stone and earlier this yr she made her debut as an invited artist on the burgeoning SXSW convention. While she makes her approach to the pop stage with digital sounds, catchy lyrics, and magnetic stage presence, it’s Pé’s authenticity that really shines. The Dominican artist has made a reputation for herself by infusing her music with light-hearted and refreshing tropical vibes, aka “frecura” (which roughly interprets to freshness).
“I feel one of many essential essences that I need to export in my music is solely good vibes,” the singer, songwriter, and actress tells POPSUGAR. “[So], that folks can routinely really feel that top vitality, that top vibration, have a very good time, [and] get untangled—buena onda.”
Born Leticia Pelliccione, Pé had been engaged on her craft and acting on smaller levels for just a few years, earlier than finally writing her personal songs beginning in 2019. The self-discipline and dedication she has invested in her artwork, beginning with musical theatre, is clear by the boldness and charisma she exudes when performing. Pé is commanding with playful and sensual vitality, accompanied by well-rounded vocals. Her music and general sound are characterised by an ease that captures the nice and cozy spirit of Caribbean climate and of her personal upbringing.
“I really feel we at all times want to hold the points of our tradition with us, below our sleeve, as a result of it is a honest language, and also you carry that tradition with you.”
“I really feel we at all times want to hold the points of our tradition with us, below our sleeve, as a result of it is a honest language, and also you carry that tradition with you,” she says.
Some of Pé ‘s notable singles from her 2022 EP “La Caleta” embody the title monitor of the identical title —an digital dance single, “Get out of the mud, grasp on to me, I do know this feels neverending,” and “Mi Barrera,” a delicate pop tune the place she sings about feverish want among the many palm bushes.
This yr, she’s set to launch a brand new EP that can proceed to honor and have fun her roots. Her latest single “Bailo Pa’ Mi” is a vibrant merengue and dance digital fusion with Spanish singer Ana Mancebo, the place the singers quip about dancing with no associate and feeling free. For the only, she enlisted a member of merengue-royalty Omega’s band often called El Verdugón, to play one of many devices. For Pé, this single was particular in the way in which that it allowed her to dive into the Dominican sounds she loves. It additionally gave her the liberty to experiment particularly with merenhouse—a fusion of home music and merengue that captured Latin American audiences within the 90’s and early 2000s.
“I stated ‘my God’ I need to do a merenhouse. That fusion is so dope and it had its second and I do not know, it is prefer it was left behind,” she says, whereas acknowledging some artists who proceed to experiment with the sound just like the Bronx duo The Martinez Brothers.
For her latest EP, she’s hoping to proceed experimenting with these beloved fusions. “It’s Letón 3.0. Keeping with what individuals already know from me, however elevating that hue, you realize? Letting of us really feel that locality,” she says.
Pé’s inventive facet started to indicate as a child when she’d sing in her room. Among her early influences and the music that was performed in her family, she cites each U.S. and Caribbean artists, like Lady Gaga and Celia Cruz. And but it wasn’t till proper on the finish of her education — the Dominican equal to twelfth grade — that she realized she needed to noticeably pursue a creative profession.
From then till now, it has been an academic journey of kinds. Before fully diving into her personal music creation, Pé studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), a personal conservatory in New York City. For a time, she says she thought of Broadway however did not actually really feel that there was area or sufficient range for her to pursue musical theatre.
“For all the roles, they at all times needed Caucasians. Today it isn’t like that . . . issues have modified loads, fortunately,” she says. “But throughout that point, I deviated fully from musical theatre and that is once I began singing.”
While learning in New York City, Pé says that she could not work on the facet or receives a commission for something that wasn’t associated to artwork as a result of she wasn’t a U.S. citizen—this was particularly difficult contemplating how costly it’s to dwell in NYC. So, when she noticed {that a} on line casino was in search of a singer to do jazz covers, she instantly jumped on the alternative.
Once Pé returned to her native Santo Domingo, she spent extra time singing covers in smaller levels and honing her craft. Eventually, a chance got here up for her to file in a studio for a pattern mission. It was on this studio setting that she felt affirmed to actually start making her personal music, after getting reward for the pattern vocals.
Since then, Pé has been betting on her profession, releasing a number of singles earlier than the publication of her first EP.
“It looks like wow, like lastly! Because you realize, many instances from the surface issues appear quick,” she says. “People say ‘wow, you are doing nice’ ‘tu ta encendía’ (you’re lit). Well, sure, I’ve just a few years being very lively, being lit, betting all the pieces.”
Pé’s arduous work has actually been paying off, and she or he’s making a reputation for herself with a signature sound that would doubtlessly make her indispensable within the Latin American pop music stage. For her new EP, she says she’s excited to proceed working with this formulation—leaning into the fusions that she’s already being acknowledged for whereas experimenting with new sounds.
“Everyone has one thing totally different to say, however individuals will at all times admire honesty,” she says. “The truth that you simply converse to what you have lived, basing it in your progress, and the place you are actually coming from.” Read on for extra particulars about what Pé has been maintaining with and the way she stays grounded as her schedule turns into increasingly hectic.
POPSUGAR: What’s the final film or sequence you watched lately?
Letón Pé” Movie —”Babylon.” With sequence, effectively I’m at all times watching “Sex and the City” however the latest one was “The Last of Us”.
PS: What was the final guide you learn?
LP: The final guide I learn, is that this poetry guide by Frank Baéz, he is a poet from right here, and it is known as “This Is the Future You Were Waiting For.”
PS: Whose album are you obsessing over proper now?
LP: So many albums! But proper now, it is an album known as “Estrela Acesa.” The singer’s title is Sessa. Another album that I could not cease listening to, I spent a complete yr listening to it, it is by Paco Amoroso —”Saeta.” That album is a gem.
PS: How would you describe your private fashion?
LP: I’d say elevated atemporal. Elevated minimalism. So, I actually love the 90s. Like for instance, within the first two seasons of “Sex and The City,” the entire wardrobe I’m like “Why would you do that to me?” So, I’d say minimal, trendy, elevated sort of fashion.
PS: As your profession takes off, what are your favourite instruments or issues to do to remain grounded?
LP: I do know that I must cease once I begin craving the seaside. Like each two months, perhaps three now that issues are getting too hectic. Every time frame, I’ve to go away the capital metropolis of Santo Domingo and go to a seaside city, it is like I would like to go away. I additionally strive doing on a regular basis actions like waking up early and listening to Headspace.
Originally revealed on 4/19/2023
Image Source: Vero Lam (TrueGround)