Goyo - Chocquibtown
Where you are from/where you are now?
I am from Chocó, Condoto Chocó, to be exact, which is where all three of us come from.
I am currently in Bogotá.
What is your musical mission and how was it born?
I believe that your musical mission is something that you find along the way, of course you begin with clear objectives. When we started, we talked about showcasing El Pacifico to Colombia and the entire world. We always talk about it but It continues to transform with time as we find new paths to develop new ideas and grow, set new objectives or experiment…which is what happens with our albums. Each one of them takes us/goes to a different place.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard music like yours?
Well, I do think that there are people that have listened to music like mine. Perhaps not exactly like mine, but I am of the belief that when it comes to music, everything has been invented already. I would say that labeling my music with a genre would be very difficult. Actually, this is a time in life where genres do not exist for me. Everything feeds back from each other but I feel that the African influence is very important in my music.
Where does your inspiration to pursue music come from?
Inspiration comes with each song. Not all songs arrive the same way - some talk about heartbreak. For example, ‘Que Lástima’ is about heartbreak and making a decision, how to move forward, self esteem, and how important it is to value ourselves, etc. Another song could be more of a dance track like ‘Fresa’ or ‘Que Me Baile’, for example, or ‘Olvidarte’ which is a song about spite but more danceable.
What do you like the most: making the music or performing it live?
I like them both. The time in the studio is one that comes, goes and does not come back, leaving you with memories and the beautiful feelings (and) sensations of how you found the right phrases, the right melodies that become songs and sometimes they become hits, so, that es algo brutal! Shows are so important as you are receiving energy from people. The live creative process is really beautiful - you are improvising, feeding from the audience's energy. It's truly beautiful. Each one of them holds a special space in my life.
Was there a specific moment while recording/performing that you knew your music had a 'magical' effect on others?
Uff, that is a tough one. Each performance has its own history, but in terms of highlighting a song that gives me feels, from the last ones released in ChoQuib House, there are several. ‘Pa’ Olvidarte’ marked an important moment in our career and it was a song that has traveled a lot and gone to many places. It's a very important song to us. For example, when we have the opportunity to sing to children and little ones, it's a very different energy and experience, in terms of how you give yourself…and el cariño is mad different. I would say those two since there are plenty.
Your music has been strongly recognized in the Latin mainstream music industry, leading to Grammy & Latin Grammy wins, as well as Los Premios Shock, to name a few. Have these accomplishments surprised you, or was this within your vision from Day 1?
To tell you the truth, yes, they have truly surprised me. When you are making music and creating you are not thinking about awards. To me, awards are like a little pat on the back to offer some security (or) reassurance in some moments. You may be thinking that your music is not reaching people or being listened to and they surprised you with a Grammy nomination, as it has happened to us…which is truly motivating. That one way or another, it makes it possible for our music, Colombian Afro music, to have a space within the Recording Academy, and that to me is big.
What struggle/opposition (if any) did you experience when creating/pursuing this musical vision?
The truth is that we all have battles, and I don't like to “complain” like I am the only one it’s happened to, since I feel that there are a lot of people that share the same desires, the same obstacles. In fact, racially, there are obstacles that are clearly marked, but not even those can take away our drive to get ahead or the desire to do things. So, it may cost you a little more - and you know it cost you – but the end result is always greeted with a smile. The end result is always going to be positive and that is what I bet on.
Speaking of struggles, the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked much-needed attention globally and undoubtedly has shed light on many injustices that have been happening to Black & Brown communities for way too long. As creative leaders and Black Colombians who have been representing the diaspora & Afro-Colombian culture in mainstream markets for years, has this 'attention' been helpful for opening eyes to your 'message'?
Well, the truth is that I feel that the “attention” has been really useful since discussions and conversations are really necessary. This is something that we have been talking about in Afro Latino communities in various countries for a long time. We, as Afro Leaders and artists, in my case as a woman…all these things provide us with the possibility to contribute our grains of sand to support discussions that move us towards a change, a change to improve things, to perhaps make life easier for other generations. For us to understand our origin, where we come from, helping us understand our situation in any place in this world…for me, these are the objectives and clear things that come as a result of this. Making people pay attention to BLM, the things happening in Colombia, the murders of Afro Colombian youth…it is necessary for folks to understand that racial tint & undertones are real. That saying Black Lives Matter is not meant to exclude other lives, but that we are claiming for our lives and the lives of our Afro people, given the clear component of discrimination marked in the murders and a lot of proof that shows us that. Given that, the work with an attorney is also important. Working with this attorney, Ali Bantu- they are working to organize as a collective to judicialize these cases to make sure that there is judicial proof and records of these cases. That is the work this collective led by Ali is engaged in, which I feel is super important and necessary. And that comes as the result of this dialogue. It's not only staying on social media but also talking to corporations. I had the chance to talk to Sony Music, Facebook, to a lot of people about this subject, that said, “Ok, we knew it existed but we have not understood the magnitude of the situation and what that carries and have not taken on the subject.” So, it is super beautiful, but for me, it is difficult, because as an artist you wish you can only talk about music and songs, about your albums…but when it comes to this subject - besides living through it - it's on you to talk about it. It is complex, but we know it's all for the improvements…and change in these subjects that are key.
As representatives of the newly-formed Conciencia Colectivo that focuses on garnering more attention to the plight of Black & Brown Latinxs, how else can the music industry support your message and mission?
Well, the music supports the language and mission by supporting Afro artists, providing them with the spotlight they deserve for their art; opening doors that have been shut for so long and/or are so difficult to open; providing them with the possibility to have their voices heard. In my case, I don't feel anything has been given to me. I have earned it. I think that there are a lot of people who have been working and have not been heard, (but) they deserve it (to be heard). I think a lot about this. I'm moving towards that vibe. I’m really feeling a lot of the Afro representations in my country and I'm super proud of artists in my country, Afro and non-Afro. I love and respect my culture and my country, and I hope that all of this effort that we are all engaging in is a step towards making gigantic changes to our social and political structure as AfroLatinos.
CQT has collaborated with numerous music stars like Tego Calderon, Farruko, Luis Enrique, Carlos Vives... What would be a dream collaboration for Chocquibtown? and why?
Well, yes, we have collaborated with a lot of people. The last collaboration we did where we had a big crew was ‘Pa’ Olvidarte’ with Farruko, Zion & Lennox and Manuel Turizo; or, for example, our recent collaboration with Sech. For me, it's about collaborating with folks feeling the song and that they will come out to support it - that is the more important thing to me. At times, as part of the music industry, doing a song as an obligation or any other reason, it only leads to a lackluster, flavorless one. For us, we only try to work with those who are close to us or whose work we admire. But in terms of dream collaboration - and one I feel we will get to do - I would like to work with African American artists like Timbaland and Pharrell, or African artists such as Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, WizKid and Maestro, one of the Tiwa Savage’s producers.
What advice would you give to a young person from the diaspora who wants to do what you do?
I would like to tell them to promote unity. Not to try to see each other as competitors. To be grateful for the paths that others have opened for us. We all have someone who has opened the way for us and that is very important. To make quality music but also to be a quality human being, ser calidoso.