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It\u2019s no straightforward feat to be as fearless and uncompromising as <\/span>Villano Antillano<\/b><\/a>. But for considered one of Latin rap\u2019s first transgender artists, it\u2019s a necessity.<\/span><\/p>\n Villano has been carving out a path for herself and different queer artists in Latin rap, making music that brings her difficult, uncooked, unfiltered experiences to the forefront in a time when queer folks nonetheless face a lot adversity. And now, she\u2019s additionally considered one of Spotify\u2019s first GLOW artists.<\/span><\/p>\n Spotify GLOW<\/span><\/a> is a brand new world music program celebrating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and creators. It\u2019s our newest initiative by way of our Creator Equity Fund to help folks of this traditionally marginalized neighborhood of voices and reassert our dedication to fairness in audio. It ensures that queer creators, and their contributions to music and tradition, are heard and honored year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n Born in Bayam<\/span>\u00f3<\/span>n, Puerto Rico, Villano generated early buzz with hard-hitting tracks corresponding to \u201c<\/span>Pajara<\/span><\/a>,\u201d \u201c<\/span>Culo<\/span><\/a>,\u201d and \u201c<\/span>Mu\u00f1eca<\/span><\/a>\u201d\u2014the final of which was recorded with non-binary rapper<\/span> Ana Macho<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2021, Villano loved viral success with the discharge of her single \u201c<\/span>Vendetta<\/span><\/a>,\u201d and went on to be on <\/span>Bizarrap<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201c<\/span>Bzrp Music Session, Vol. 51<\/span><\/a>.\u201d This previous December, she was a featured artist for <\/span>Spotify RADAR US, <\/span><\/a>and on the 2022 Latin American Music Conference, Villano was named considered one of its 2022 Wonder Women of Latin Music. She closed final 12 months with the discharge of her debut album, <\/span>La Sustancia X<\/span><\/i><\/a>, a venture that embodies the wonder and horror of rising up queer within the Caribbean.<\/span><\/p>\n For the Record<\/span><\/i> sat down with Villano to speak about her music, her life as a trans lady, and what makes her GLOW.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s been a protracted improvement. As a trans lady and a queer particular person, I didn\u2019t actually have entry to this world till I paved my approach into it. I used to be simply within the trenches for the longest time, so I really feel like my probabilities for alternatives have been possibly decrease than they might have been for those who aren\u2019t queer as a result of we\u2019re simply shunned out of all these locations. So, now I really feel like I can truly get issues like folks on demand, or a workforce and assets, and I\u2019m simply getting freaky with it now as a result of I\u2019m way more snug. But it took me some time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No, as a result of they didn\u2019t exist within the public lens. We now know the story of <\/span>Cristina \u201cLa Veneno,\u201d<\/b><\/a> who undoubtedly modified the trajectory of my life when I discovered her on YouTube. But in any other case, I’ve very, very foggy reminiscences of some barely well-known trans ladies who have been public figures as a result of they have been so sexed up. I keep in mind studying about them within the newspaper typically, however it was by no means handled with respect and dignity. There was no approach they may have simply been something however a mockery on tv and radio over right here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I might say, nonetheless, there have been cis-het females who went above and past as a result of they actually f*cked with the queer neighborhood and the queer public. Those two could be artists like <\/span>Iris<\/b> Chacon<\/b><\/a>, who was the pillar of every part aesthetic and considered one of my greatest references. I really feel like she\u2019s considered one of Puerto Rico\u2019s greatest artists. And <\/span>Ivy Queen<\/b><\/a>, in fact, as a result of I really feel like she actually took it upon herself to present the neighborhood area inside her crowd and her music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I really feel that artwork is a mirror of society. Since the arrival of civilization, music has all the time been current, and it\u2019s tied to the artwork of storytelling and the way tradition is saved alive by way of custom. So, I really feel like these issues are of very elementary significance to humanity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Music can also be a mirror of our personal experiences. I make music that makes me and different queer folks really feel empowered, and I created that feeling for myself as a result of I wanted it. I really feel like we [the queer community] are a really empowered collective globally proper now and we\u2019re rising. Regardless of no matter is occurring, we\u2019re forcing folks to take us under consideration. We\u2019re right here and also you\u2019re going to should cope with it. I\u2019m glad we\u2019re shifting so far-off from the patriarchy as a result of it was about time!<\/span><\/p>\n Wow. Loads of issues. You know, I really feel like I take pleasure and discover magnificence within the little, abnormal issues and in being at some extent in my life the place I can take a step again. Before I had entry to this life and earlier than I used to be a cemented and totally realized determine, I used to be only a poor lady from Bayam\u00f3n attempting to remain alive. I didn\u2019t even have entry to the minimal and restricted assets now we have right here. So the ability for me to acquire these items makes me GLOW. My neighborhood makes me GLOW, my pals make me GLOW, and the truth that I can provide them a life that we by no means thought we might obtain earlier than makes me GLOW.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fearlessness. I\u2019m very into sci-fi and am studying the <\/span>Dune<\/span><\/i> novels, and I actually simply come again to that \u201cfear is the mind killer\u201d line. Because concern is the thoughts killer, and no one ought to have the ability to make me really feel concern as a result of no one holds absolute energy over me, you realize? And I really feel like I talk that fearlessness into my music.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I really feel just like the life expectancy for trans folks, particularly trans ladies in keeping with the examine, is round 35 years previous. I\u2019m 27. How, or why, would I let that restrict me? It\u2019s a truth none of us can escape, so I really feel like, in a approach, it\u2019s what you do with that data. And what I\u2019m going to do just isn’t purchase into this concept or narrative that there\u2019s one thing unsuitable with me or that I\u2019m f*cked up or inaccurate.<\/span><\/p>\n I really feel like as a trans one who has medically and socially transitioned, nothing has gotten me nearer to my consciousness than the truth that I’ve truly needed to really feel my existence from all spectrums doable. And that\u2019s no small feat; that solely provides you energy. The indisputable fact that I did that and I do know precisely what I appeared like when my physique was stuffed with testosterone and I do know what it appears to be like like now, three years into estrogen . . . every part I\u2019m seeing, feeling . . . every part modifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can\u2019t inform me that\u2019s not energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Listen to Villano on our flagship <\/span><\/i>GLOW<\/span><\/i><\/a> playlist:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nCan you inform us just a little about your journey into music?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Growing up, did you may have any queer artists who influenced you?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
How is music used to empower queer communities?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
What makes you GLOW?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
If you had one factor you\u2019d need listeners to remove out of your music, what wouldn’t it be?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n