In our Q&A collection Inform 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 check, and we’re all ears.
Hailing from Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, Letón Pé’s is a star within the making. For individuals who have been witnessing her regular profession progress, the rise appears imminent. On the finish of 2023, she bought a serious shoutout from Rolling Stone and earlier this yr she made her debut as an invited artist on the burgeoning SXSW convention. Whereas she makes her strategy 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 just good vibes,” the singer, songwriter, and actress tells POPSUGAR. “[So], that folks can mechanically really feel that prime vitality, that prime vibration, have an excellent 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 ultimately writing her personal songs beginning in 2019. The self-discipline and dedication she has invested in her artwork, beginning with musical theatre, is obvious by the arrogance and charisma she exudes when performing. Pé is commanding with playful and sensual vitality, accompanied by well-rounded vocals. Her music and total 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.
A few of Pé ‘s notable singles from her 2022 EP “La Caleta” embrace the title monitor of the identical title —an digital dance single, “Get out of the mud, cling 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 a good time 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 accomplice and feeling free. For the only, she enlisted a member of merengue-royalty Omega’s band referred to as El Verdugón, to play one of many devices. For Pé, this single was particular in the best way 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 mentioned ‘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 is Letón 3.0. Conserving with what individuals already know from me, however elevating that hue, you recognize? Letting of us really feel that locality,” she says.
Pé’s creative aspect started to point out as a child when she’d sing in her room. Amongst her early influences and the music that was performed in her family, she cites each U.S. and Caribbean artists, like Woman 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 wished to significantly pursue a creative profession.
From then till now, it has been an academic journey of kinds. Earlier than utterly diving into her personal music creation, Pé studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), a non-public conservatory in New York Metropolis. For a time, she says she thought of Broadway however did not actually really feel that there was house or sufficient range for her to pursue musical theatre.
“For the entire roles, they at all times wished Caucasians. Immediately it is not like that . . . issues have modified loads, fortunately,” she says. “However throughout that point, I deviated utterly from musical theatre and that is once I began singing.”
Whereas learning in New York Metropolis, Pé says that she could not work on the aspect 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 reside in NYC. So, when she noticed {that a} on line casino was on the lookout for a singer to do jazz covers, she instantly jumped on the alternative.
As soon as Pé returned to her native Santo Domingo, she spent extra time singing covers in smaller levels and honing her craft. Finally, a possibility got here up for her to file in a studio for a pattern venture. It was on this studio setting that she felt affirmed to essentially 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 appears like wow, like lastly! As a result of you recognize, many instances from the skin issues appear quick,” she says. “Folks say ‘wow, you are doing nice’ ‘tu ta encendía’ (you might be lit). Nicely, sure, I’ve just a few years being very lively, being lit, betting all the pieces.”
Pé’s onerous work has definitely been paying off, and she or he’s making a reputation for herself with a signature sound that might 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 system—leaning into the fusions that she’s already being acknowledged for whereas experimenting with new sounds.
“Everybody has one thing totally different to say, however individuals will at all times respect honesty,” she says. “The truth that you converse to what you have lived, basing it in your progress, and the place you are actually coming from.” Learn on for extra particulars about what Pé has been maintaining with and the way she stays grounded as her schedule turns into increasingly more hectic.
POPSUGAR: What is the final film or collection you watched lately?
Letón Pé” Film —”Babylon.” With collection, properly I am at all times watching “Intercourse and the Metropolis” however the latest one was “The Final of Us”.
PS: What was the final ebook you learn?
LP: The final ebook I learn, is that this poetry ebook by Frank Baéz, he is a poet from right here, and it is referred to as “This Is the Future You Have been Ready For.”
PS: Whose album are you obsessing over proper now?
LP: So many albums! However proper now, it is an album referred to as “Estrela Acesa.” The singer’s title is Sessa. One other 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 model?
LP: I’d say elevated atemporal. Elevated minimalism. So, I actually love the 90s. Like for instance, within the first two seasons of “Intercourse and The Metropolis,” the entire wardrobe I am like “Why would you do that to me?” So, I’d say minimal, fashionable, elevated sort of model.
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. Each time frame, I’ve to depart the capital metropolis of Santo Domingo and go to a seaside city, it is like I would like to depart. I additionally attempt doing on a regular basis actions like waking up early and listening to Headspace.
Picture Supply: Vero Lam (TrueGround)
