Ana Tijoux, Named Best Spanish-Speaking Female Rapper, Presents «VIDA»
The French-Chilean artist brings us her highly-anticipated new album
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Ana Tijoux (1977, Lille, France) entered the Chilean underground scene over two decades ago to shake things up. Undoubtedly, one of the most prominent voices in Latin American hip-hop, in one of the most male-dominated genres. Throughout her career, she has built an explosive legacy with songs that address social and political issues such as inequality, feminism, oppression, and the fight for human rights.
Lyricist, composer, musician, and singer, she gained significant recognition in Latin America as an MC within the Chilean hip-hop group Mazika in the ’90s. Her name is internationally known, accumulating numerous nominations for various awards. She became the Chilean artist with the most Grammy nominations and in 2014 won a Latin Grammy alongside Jorge Drexler in the «Song of the Year» category for «Universos Paralelos.» If the artist were to sum up her career with three songs, she would choose the iconic «1977» (a song that brought her global fame and was also part of the Breaking Bad soundtrack), «Somos Sur,» and «Saca la Voz.»
Now, we’ve spoken with the French-Chilean rapper about her upcoming projects, where she highlights the release of her new album, «VIDA,» an upcoming launch that Tijoux herself describes as «a tribute to life itself in its nooks and difficulties,» addressing grief, resilience, love, childhood, and various life processes.
Next month, you’ll be releasing «VIDA.» What does this work mean to you?
Well, ‘VIDA,’ I think, is a response to the people who, unfortunately, passed away around me. I really wanted to make an album, I don’t know if it’s a tribute, but also to remember and finally thank many people I’ve been fortunate and blessed to know, and who have left their mark on me. I think it’s a bit the origin of where this album comes from.
On this album, you have a song called «Niñx,» which carries powerful meaning and symbolism. What did you want to convey with this track?
I think I sang it to my child and… that we all carry, ultimately. And not to forget, I believe, it’s such an important place that is like… When one is a child, one also has many dreams… A lot of things that are so important, I believe, for one’s journey and for one’s sense of self.
You released «Tania» as a tribute to your sister, and you mentioned that this album is also a way to pay tribute to people who are no longer with us. How has it been for you to create through the process of grief?
Painful but also very beautiful as an exercise. I think, because we all, we’re all going to die, and very beloved people are going to die, and unfortunately, we’re never prepared for that. I mean, that happens to all of us, and living with the absence, and when I think one is in a stage of mourning, one also understands the absence.
What have been your musical inspirations for this album?
I’ve been listening to a lot of African music. Well, I’ve always loved to dance. I’m not sure I could specify a particular style that inspired me, but I think I’ve been listening to certain African music. Also, the classic rap that I always listen to, and salsa. It’s pretty eclectic, to be honest.
Singing with Alicia Keys
This past May, you performed as a guest artist at Alicia Keys’ concert in Santiago. Do you remember how you received that invitation, and what did it feel like to perform on stage with her?
Well, she is a very down-to-earth person, very kind, always attentive. I mean, what happened with me, I imagine has been the case with all the Latin American girls she’s invited. She’s very concerned about how you feel, if you’re well. We talked about aromatherapy, motherhood, and all. So, I think she’s a very accessible woman. Affectionate and very caring. I received the invitation from that perspective as a tremendous honor, and she’s an artist I love, she’s wonderful. It was a super nice experience, both with her and her team, the production team, the people in the audience, it was really cool, to be honest.
Well, it was a tremendous gift, and I embrace it. I also made many calls from colleagues, female rappers, and I think that made me very happy, hearing from many friends. I think that was the B-side, right? And it’s also beautiful because I believe these things will happen again, and there will be a new list with probably new generations, and this will keep rotating. I think that’s the most beautiful thing about music, that these are tributes that are paid permanently, right?
In that regard, about these new generations, can you think of any names or figures that, to you, are making a significant impact and catching your attention?
Well, yes, I think the Argentine scene is very interesting. There are many young and very talented people. I think the race that these young people have brought, with their unique language, has been very interesting. In Chile, well, there’s Pablo Chill-E and many artists that I find cool. I think it’s great that there is a generational shift that brings freshness. And it’s happening all over Latin America, which is also very interesting.
On your social media, when you received the recognition from Billboard, you mentioned that those who don’t understand community don’t understand this culture. What does rap mean to you in that sense?
It’s entirely about community, it originates from there. It’s built from there, deepened from that place. It’s always been a language that, at least for me, originates from the act of communication. When I started rapping, I always did it with friends, I was always with one or another, from one to another, to record me, to produce, or for a DJ. And to share experiences. Now, of course, I’m 46, and I probably experience rap and hip-hop very differently, although I still listen to them. It’s different from when I was 18 or when I was 10, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t carry it as a musical movement that has transformed our lives and continues to transform our lives. It was the 50th anniversary of hip-hop in August of this year, and I had the good fortune to be in the U.S. and to hear even the generation older than mine, just as vital, people who are older but still breathe and feel the music with the same energy, the same enthusiasm. To me, that gives a lot of vitality, seeing people even older than me who still vibrate in the same way. The most beautiful thing about this is that it has no age, it keeps replicating and deepening.
You have also collaborated with artists like Jorge Drexler, Molotov, Los Chicos del Maíz, Sara Hebe. Is there an artist you’d like to collaborate with soon?
I don’t like to say it because I always hope it happens.
Is there a special collaboration on this upcoming album?
Yes, I invited two great rappers from my school, Talib Kweli of Black Star, De La Soul, Omar, who is a soul singer from England, Pablo Chill-E, and iLe from Puerto Rico.
Upcoming Tour
After the album release, will you announce a tour? Is it planned?
Yes, it’s planned. Probably at the end of the year in Chile, which we’re preparing for. We’ll go to Brazil, I believe Mexico, the United States, Chile, of course, Ireland, England, Germany… I can’t remember the rest, but that’s what I remember for now.
And when will you come to the United States?
I don’t want to say something wrong, I’ve been told a thousand times, but I can’t remember, that’s why I write everything down. But yes, we’ll be there, I think starting in mid-March and beyond.
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