Mexican music star Pepe Aguilar grabbed the spotlight at 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week for a Q&A icon, in conversation with Billboard'small Leila Cobo.
The “Por Mujeres Como Tú” singer spoke at length about his iconic career, his legacy, his family dynasty — he's the son of regional Mexican kingpins Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre — and why, after signing to major labels early in his career — decided to go and stay indie.
Below, the 8 best quotes from Pepe Aguilar's Icon Q&A:
On being a workaholic: “I'm a workaholic, what can I say. But for the last 20 years of my life, I have been 100% dedicated to guiding and focusing on my children's careers. I thought I was still doing my thing, but I was too focused on them. Now that they are on their own, I will go back to focus on my career. I believe in discipline, I believe in work and gratitude in the work culture.
What his new single “Cuídamela Bien” is about: “It wasn't dedicated to my son-in-law (Christian Nodal), but I think it's a moment in my life. Of course it has to do with my daughter and her wedding. It's something completely new for me, I've never experienced it before. After 20 years with your child, suddenly goodbye, it is a life experience that had not touched my life, what better than to express it through music, you have already fulfilled as a father now it is her turn to live life her.”
Ángela Aguilar and Nodal are a power couple: “I love it and I said to Christian, if you're together, who else is there like you two in Spanish music. Christian never ceases to amaze me, honestly, I can see the love he has for my daughter.”
His passion for music and business and passed it on to his children Ángela and Leonardo Aguilar: “I eat, I dream about the music, the spectacle and I don't plan to do anything else. I don't know if I did this the right way or the wrong way, but I was always involved in everything. Actually the cover of “Cuídamela Bien”, I did it in the GPT chat. I produce my records, I design my shows, I pay my shows for jaripeo, that's how I taught my kids and now with me, it's the same. They'll say, “Dad this is my idea, whether you like it or not. They live their lives according to how I trained them.”
Go and stay indie: “Once I got out of a record deal through a lawsuit, beat them, owed them 12 albums and got out. People would say, “He's ungrateful,” but there's more context to this case. They didn't do me a good job. Now I'm signing different deals, but none with exclusivity, just licenses.”
His good list: “Taking my jaripeo-style show to Europe, and not just Spain, is a goal that seemed unattainable, but also taking it to Asia. Mexicanidad it has no borders, the folklore of every country has no borders. I will do cumbia, tango, vallenato, flamenco, albums and visuals, with different artists. It may be one of the most important projects, but my jaripeo style show is one of my greatest achievements, my father would be happy and proud.”
About his family dynasty: “My father taught us that everyone had their own story. I follow Mexican music because I believe in Mexican folklore, not because my father taught me. Having this last name was a blessing and a curse because the common denominator was Antonio Aguilar and Flor silvestre, it was always a huge pride to be their son. It was normal for me to grow up in a family of two famous people, normal to go to Madison Square Garden often. I never felt like it was a competition with my dad, especially when my dad was 87 and I was in my prime, it's not about comparisons. It's the same with my kids. Even if they have the same last name, people don't do themselves any favors, people will consume what they really like, whatever your name is, they'll support you.”
What's coming: “I have a new album coming out and 'Cuídamela Bien' was the first single from that album. There's a lot of music coming, a lot of touring with stops in South America as well.”
Billboard Latin Music Week 2024 coincides with the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards airing at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 20, on Telemundo. It will be available simultaneously on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and in Latin America and the Caribbean through Telemundo Internacional.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/pepe-aguilar-panel-best-moments-2024-billboard-latin-music-week-1235802578/
