Like in fairy tales, young singer Octavio CuadrasLife changed in a matter of days. First one of his favorite group, Marca Registrada, agreed to record his song “Bling Bling” with him, which ended up going viral on TikTok.
So the song caught the attention of Maluma and, through the famous producer Edgar Barrera, they reached Cuadras' manager, Christian Gutiérrez. Then, just before Christmas, Cuadras, Marca Registrada and Maluma met in Colombia — and now, very soon, the world will be able to hear the remix of “Bling Bling,” a song that has become the template for a new movement that called “corridos felices.”
At the helm is Cuadras, 23, from Sinaloa, Mexico, who until recently had been experimenting with corridos bélicos without much success. he was just one more in the whirlwind of performers of the regional Mexican subgenre that shocked the world last year. So he set himself the task of creating something different and wrote about positive things: non-violence in the lyrics and, in the music, friendly and fun sounds.
“As always, there are people who don't see it as local Mexican and don't accept it, but there are many more who have reacted positively, luckily,” he enthuses, radiating sympathy. Indeed, Cuadras is living the dream of going from a few thousand monthly listeners on Spotify to 5.5 million, seemingly overnight.
In an interview with Billboard EspañolOctavio Cuadras tells how this series of lucky events happened in his life and career.
How did you decide to take the risk of making songs completely different from what worked for others?
I realized there was a void — as if the music had stopped. I don't want to say I invented the wheel, but it was dead time, I saw a space and took advantage of it. The idea was to do something different and have everyone ride that wave. I'm glad so many do, that's the point.
What do you think about the fact that corridos bélicos changed the traditional forms of Mexican folk music?
There was a lot of criticism and doubt about what was going to happen with regional Mexican, but music is an art, so when you create a song you don't necessarily have to stick to one style.
Joyful corridos were not accepted by many at first, but many more liked the concept. The numbers don't lie and it's impressive what's happening. People who didn't listen to local Mexican music became fans because of the melody and the instrumentation. This is positive.
How did the collaboration with Marca Registrada come about?
I said to Christian [Gutiérrez]my manager: “I want to record this song 'Bling Bling' with Fidel [Osvaldo Castro of Marca Registrada]. If I don't record it with him, I won't record it with anybody.” Showed it to him and he liked it. Immediately we recorded it, it went on the platforms and there was all this fuss.
Is Fidel an influence on your career?
I really admire him for helping young talents. not just anyone does it. An established artist like him usually collaborates with someone who is also famous. However, he has collaborated with young artists and that speaks to his vision and human quality.
When I met Fidel [about three months ago] I had 9,500 listeners [on Spotify]. Today I have 5.5 million monthly. I have a lot to thank him for, as well as the audience that supports me.
How did the remix of “Bling Bling” with Maluma come about so quickly?
I did not believe it. Edgar Barrera, who I admire a lot, contacted my manager, who is a well-known and respected musician in the local Mexican music scene.
It turns out that Maluma, although he likes corridos bélicos, when he saw what was happening with “Bling Bling” on TikTok he liked it because it was something completely different and so it happened. Suddenly with Marca Registrada we were already traveling in Colombia, so very soon you will hear the remix version with Octavio Cuadras, Marca Registrada and Maluma.
You uploaded videos from your time with Maluma. him singing and you playing the guitar as if you were friends for years.
I was nervous to death. I've been listening to him since high school, you know, so imagine me sitting there playing guitar and singing with him, it was memorable beyond the recording. We texted for Christmas, so I already consider him my friend. something surreal, I can't believe it.
Once you do something with Maluma, does it get complicated to plan for what's next?
Of course, I wondered what will come after Maluma, but we will continue with all our strength. I have a lot more to offer than happy hallways. I have a lot of music.
I promise you that this 2024, Octavio Cuadras is coming with everything: corridos, cumbias and more. I have worked very hard on the composition. I've waited a long time for this moment and it's here, so I'm going to take advantage of it. But most of all, I will enjoy it.
I just make music — and if the audience likes happy corridors, we go that way. But if not, we have everything to offer them.
Now many artists will want to work with you. Do you know this?
I have already done several songs for the new Marca Registrada album and in a few days I will record with Grupo Firme. I would like to work with Fuerza Regida, Natanael Cano and someone special, Arcángel.
Would you like to do something with Xavi, who is taking local Mexican music to new heights?
Of course, my respects to Xavi. We should be happy that more regional Mexicans [artists] they move forward. The artists who are already there, already have their place. It's great that people support young people too.
You've been under contract with Universal Music's Fonovisa label since before this hit came out.
Right, my manager and I went to Universal for a kind of experiment, the “bélico indie” concept. We never imagined what would happen and the truth is that we were already working very well before, with many plans that will now continue.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/octavio-cuadras-maluma-bling-bling-remix-1235580176/