Edgar Barrera is a Grammys rarity: The Mexican-American, Texas-born producer and songwriter is the one (and first) Latin act up for songwriter of the 12 months on the 2024 awards. Much less fortunately, he’s additionally the one Latin act to seem in a Grammy class that isn’t Latin music-specific.
Be that as it might, these feats communicate to his towering achievements: He has turn out to be the go-to songwriter for top-charting acts seeking to broaden their musical vary (he’s answerable for pairing Unhealthy Bunny with the Tejano band Grupo Frontera) and shares songwriting credit with Madonna, Ariana Grande, Maluma, Karol G, Shakira and Peso Pluma, amongst quite a few others.
Right here, Barrera shares the philosophy behind his songwriting fashion and displays on his blockbuster 12 months.
A typical thread within the songs you’ve labored on options artists testing sounds that they aren’t identified for. What’s that like?
I’ve quite a lot of enjoyable taking an artist out of their consolation zone. It makes my job fascinating. [“De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta”] with Marc Anthony is a salsa document and it wouldn’t have labored as anything, however Daddy Yankee match proper in as a function. There’s additionally Shakira’s tune with Fuerza Regida, and Manuel Turizo with Marshmello — I labored on one thing like 70 songs that obtained launched this 12 months and they’re all completely different kinds. That speaks to how huge Latin music has turn out to be.
And but, you’re the one consultant within the main classes…
It sounds cliché, however I already really feel like a winner for that motive. It means loads to be nominated on this class — one, as a result of the Academy acknowledges that this all begins with the songwriting, and on high of that, I’m nominated for Spanish-language songs.
For the tune “Mi Ex Tenía Razon,” did Karol G come to you with the concept of a Selena-style melody?
Sure! Karol got here to me with that request since she is a large Selena fan. I began researching to try to determine what synths to make use of, what drum units and what keys have been used for the [Selena] songs. It was enjoyable for me as a result of it grew to become a puzzle — we wrote the lyrics after which produced it.
Karol beforehand advised Selection she felt anxious about attempting música Mexicana for concern of it coming throughout as inauthentic.
I get that. There have been moments the place Latin music was leaning city, and though I’m not Puerto Rican, I gave it my greatest shot however there’s nothing like working with somebody who will get it. Each time I’m working with Shakira, we’re listening to music and I’m enjoying her stuff I’m engaged on — music she’s in all probability not used to listening to. That follow has confirmed itself to be fruitful greater than as soon as. Like with Carin León and Maluma’s “Según Quién” — that began as a result of Maluma expressed his want to work with a Mexican artist, and I used to be already working with Carin. It’s a means of trial and error. What we’re doing is experimental.
Did you construct “un x100to” figuring out Unhealthy Bunny needed to leap on a cumbia tune?
No, as a result of I had written that tune with one other author referred to as Rios a couple of 12 months and a half in the past — however that model had the mistaken association. We had pitched it to completely different artists, and no person needed to chop the tune.
I used to be sort of venting to Grupo Frontera about how nobody needed the tune. Out of curiosity, they requested to listen to it however I didn’t need to play the demo; as a substitute, I performed it on guitar and sang. That led to us recording the tune and Payo (Frontera’s singer) had the concept to get Bunny. I used to be like, “That will be like attempting to throw rocks on the moon — not going to occur, bro.” Two weeks later, I went to the BMI Awards and I met MAG — Bunny’s producer. I despatched him “un x100to” and the day after, he referred to as to inform me Bunny needed in.
Talking of Frontera, they not too long ago signed with Noah Assad’s administration agency however are additionally signed to your BorderKid imprint – how has your skilled relationship developed?
They’re right here with me proper now, truly — we’ve been engaged on a brand new document. The bond we have now is essential to our skilled relationship. With my profession as a songwriter, figuring out the artist personally is what helps produce good songs. And with Frontera, we communicate the identical jargon which is one thing that I used to be in search of as a result of I’ve labored with artists from all around the world and needed to sort of study the jargon from Colombia, from Puerto Rico for reggaeton music. However with Frontera, it seems like all of us grew up collectively and finally, I simply need them to take pleasure in their success.
We’ve partnered with Raymond Acosta (Karol G’s supervisor), who will take over the administration as a result of that’s one thing I don’t know tips on how to deal with. The vitality and the vibes between each events have been superb.
What has caught your ear by way of sound lately? Does something particular stand out?With música Mexicana, quite a lot of the lyrics and the melodies are very conventional sounding however the manufacturing delves home music or dembow. The music is evolving in actually unpredictable methods. [Frontera and I] have spent quite a lot of time attempting to search for a special sound – switching an instrument out or testing completely different rhythms. Payo has been capturing previous the moon along with his collaboration requests (laughs) There are going to be quite a lot of enjoyable surprises subsequent 12 months, for positive.
