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Latin Mafia has always trusted its gut. It’s finally paying off

BBG News

Over the past year, I’ve been part of something truly remarkable with the De la Rosa brothers, more famously recognized as the band Latin Mafia. This period has been a whirlwind of first experiences for us all.

In April, locals from Mexico City made their debut in the United States at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio. Later in July, the band became associated with Rimas Entertainment, a reggaeton label based in Puerto Rico, making Bad Bunny a fellow artist under this label. By October, they had released their first full-length album titled “Todos Los Días Todo El Día.” Now, these brothers are embarking on their initial U.S. tour, which is a 17-stop journey that commenced on January 22 with a packed show at the Hollywood Palladium.

Prior to gracing the stage at the renowned L.A. venue, the twin singers Milton and Emilio (both aged 22) along with producer Mike de la Rosa (also 24), casually waited in line at Erewhon’s hot bar. They savored the buffalo cauliflower and leisurely browsed through L.A.’s trendy boutiques, displaying an air of calm unbothered by any nervousness. Their journey to fame has been characterized by self-assuredness.

Mike de la Rosa shared that we all held a common belief that music would be successful for us. Yet, despite this conviction, he still finds it surreal and fulfilling, as the uncertainty of outcomes makes every success seem like a cherished dream.

The siblings have always shared a strong connection through music creation, yet it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that they chose to treat it as a more serious endeavor. Similar to many of their peers in adolescence, they utilized TikTok as an avenue for creativity. Their initial videos showcased glimpses into their unique genre-blending approach and reinterpretations of popular Latin tunes with fresh lyrics. Their frequent posting gradually built a small fan base. Consequently, their early singles, such as the Latin pop gem “Julieta” and the electronic number “No digas nada,” found an eager audience right away.

It took the catchy reggaeton track “Julietota,” which is an extension of “Julieta,” for the Latin Mafia’s music videos to exceed a million views. With the rhythmic influence of perreo, they successfully hacked the algorithm. Soon after, they teamed up with fellow Mexican pop singer Humbe on “Patadas de Ahogado.” The emotional ballad that became popular in 2023 has been streamed over 200 million times on Spotify, making it the Latin Mafia’s most successful song so far.

The trio of brothers gained popularity with their successive chart-topping singles, leading to sold-out performances at arenas across Mexico and invitations to play at local music festivals – all without a studio album or backing from a record label. Their unique blend of pop, R&B, and Latin trap music distinguished them within the Mexican music scene.

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Milton de la Rosa expressed that the influences of Latin Mafia aren’t about constantly creating something new. Instead, he suggested that we live in an era where most things have already been invented. However, he emphasized that their aim is simply to express what they love in a manner unique to them.

In their creative journey, they persisted in adhering to these auditory intuitions while producing “Todos Los Días Todo El Día.” This song served as a significant milestone for the up-and-coming trio, as they evolved their sound by transforming their initial bedroom pop-like style into a more sophisticated, exploratory expression of their identities.

Emilio often notes that merely listening to music can sometimes leave one feeling melancholic. However, when you’re able to express feelings or interpret its meaning, and share a piece of yourself with those who listen, that’s when the experience transcends into something profoundly genuine.

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Mike attributes this skill to a string of fortunate mishaps. Leveraging their shared encounters with anxiety, sadness, and heartache, they emphasize the importance of genuine emotions and relying on instinctive feelings during their creative journey.

As they were working on the album, the twins often dashed through the studio while Mike played various drums. They’d chase each other back and forth, feeding off their youthful exuberance from their early twenties. Whenever Mike’s drumbeats resonated with them, they’d pause and gather around him, sparking ideas about which sounds might harmonize or what emotions the track was evoking.

According to Milton, our approach to creating music is spontaneous and enjoyable. We don’t follow a specific pattern or method. Instead, we experiment, and if what we create sounds appealing, we pursue it further. Occasionally, in the studio, all of us might be making mistakes, yet somehow, these errors can result in something pleasing to our ears.

The first song on the album, “I feel I deserve more,” establishes its overall mood. This track showcases the brothers’ knack for seamlessly transitioning styles within a single piece of music. It transports listeners to Mexico City using a distorted snippet of the city’s street organs, combining elements of a melancholic ballad with a raw punk emotion, and hinting at electronic garage production. The album maintains Latin Mafia’s signature pattern of unexpected transitions and powerful lyrics, from the piano-driven trap rhythm on “I have never been honest” to the abrupt synth burst on “I live if you demand it” and the soothing harmonies on “I am falling,” making for a captivating listen.

2024 saw “Todos Los Días Todo El Día” warmly received by critics, frequently appearing on year-end top Latin music lists.

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Every day for the De la Rosa brothers, “Every Day All Day” serves as a heartfelt tribute to the people who matter most in their lives – their family and friends. The closing track, “I Have a Lot of Noise,” concludes with the voice of their grandmother, growing older. As the fading synth whispers goodbye, she bestows blessings upon them and prays for their well-being.

Milton shared, “We found ourselves longing to hear her voice repeatedly.” He explained that music serves as a vessel for preserving moments, infusing them with vibrancy. His deepest concern is fading away these memories, but he takes solace in the fact that their music will endlessly remind him of all those dear to his heart.

Now, both their grandma and her “muchachitos tramposos” can find peace in the album’s final notes.

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2025-02-06 00:01

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