Salsa in Peru: the interpreters who set trends in this musical genre speak

The salsa genre continues to gain momentum and is getting stronger every day. This premise is a clear example of what is happening in Peru, where it is no wonder that the interpreters of this musical direction continue to monopolize the posters of festivals or mega-events.

In fact, this “boom” has gone so far that even Sergio George, one of the genre’s most prestigious producers, has taken the risk of working with national artists who today compete with the great salsa leaders internationally.

The main characters speak

RPP Noticias contacted some of the artists in the genre to get their perspective on how they are gaining ground in this musical movement; in addition to the obstacles they had to overcome to get to where they are.

brunella torpoco

She is a Peruvian singer-songwriter who entered the dance scene in 2021 as a salsa performer. Because of her voice and her particular style of singing for love or spite, she was dubbed La ‘Ronquita de salsa’ by the critics and the Peruvian salsa audience.

She argues that women hardened themselves in order to be recognizable in an environment where many years ago there was a marked preference for male performers.

“I think that today women have too much courage and strength to go out and face problems, whereas before they were a little afraid so that we could freely resolve issues. There was a lot of courage, a lot of things looked down on women. but today the women are alone. We came out to put an end to it and say: “We also have the same rights as men.”

Yahaira Plasencia

Also known as “La Patrona” or “La Reina del Toto”. In 2012, he joined the musical group Son Tentacion as a vocalist. Three years later, she decided to continue her artistic career as a solo singer, with Sergio George as her producer.

Although her passion for the artistic life was awakened from a very early age when she worked in circuses, the translator said that she never intended to be famous and that all the recognition she now experiences was given organically.

“Opportunities appeared little by little. I’ve been working with Sergio George for 3 years now, those were the best years I’ve ever had, with many downs, many setbacks, a pandemic that has shaken us up a lot. in fact, the work is visible; I was invited to the Heat Awards, I was nominated with Gilberto Santa Rosa and Marc Anthony, they invited me to Salsa en el Parque (Colombia) where I was the only Peruvian salsa woman represented in the country. Opportunities come alone.”

Amy Gutierrez

In 2014, he became popular thanks to his participation in the reality show La Voz Kids Perú. In that famous vocal talent competition, she became the winner. Before debuting as a soloist, he was a member of various musical groups such as Son Tentación and You Salsa.

Gutiérrez, who now also works with Sergio George, clarifies that salsa artists have made the music genre be fairer in the country.

“Salsa has always been strong in Peru and in recent years women have learned to take center stage and contribute to the development of the genre, which makes me very happy that we are becoming more and more female. I know if there were preferences, but, of course, there used to be more male performers. Today, I feel that equality is present and that music in Peru is more fair.”

Daniela Darkourt

From childhood, she was attracted to music, she participated in various television programs and talent competitions. In 2016, he joined Son Tentación where he worked for two years before starting his solo career. In 2021, the National Society of Music Translators and Performers awarded her the “Bicentennial Artist”.

In terms of career success, the translator says that showing who she is and breaking away from stereotypes have been important factors in gaining public support. He has always enjoyed experimenting with his music, but regrets that the Peruvian industry is not as competitive as in other countries.

“The foreign market is much more competitive and aggressive than the one we have here. You don’t see what we’re going through, here on the side the neighbor doesn’t experience many aspects that we have to go through.

What contributed to the success of salseras in Peru?

On the Origin of this Musical Phenomenon Martin Gomez, Journalist and Specialist in the Tropical Genre Salserisimo PeruStates that there was a special context this contributed to the fame of Peruvian artists who chose salsa to show their talent to the world.

“This is due to a series of coincidences or events that allowed Son Tentasion to appear on a reality show called”Group’, 2014 or 2015, and it spread all over Latin America,” recalls RPP News.

If we talk about a purely musical theme, all the songs in his repertoire were mostly covers which were very successful in the 1990s. They knew how to choose well the numbers that they imagined and which, probably, many have forgotten.

Gomez gives preference to this musical movement and its interpreters also because of the small the production of sauce, which is currently produced in the world. According to the journalist, Colombia and Peru are by and large the only countries where this genre is produced.

“In Puerto Rico, salsa is made, but on small record labels with investments from the same artists, as it happens all over the world; however, artists no longer enjoy the support of a major industry. Now Puerto Rico knows Bad Bunny,” he said.

“Puerto Ricans come and collaborate with Peruvians who are in fashion or constantly appear on TV shows. Tito Nieves relied on Daniela Darkourt; Let’s remember that Jahaira Plasencia is leaving Son Tentación and is being replaced by Daniela Darkourt, who I think has more qualities to sing,” he concluded.

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