To all the essential workers who continue to provide essential services during this time. There are no words that can adequately express our gratitude for all that you are doing during this difficult time. Please stay safe and healthy.
Que Calor! SUMMER 2020
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Contents
PITIZION
18 24
26 10 WHAT TO BINGE 12 TRAVEL
10 Things To Do & See in Southern California
18 COVER STORY:
PITIZION presenta "TU"
24 RESTAURANTS
Outdoor dining in Los Angeles & Orange County ON THE COVER: PITIZION Photography by Andres Henao
26 TRENDING ARTISTS
Top 5 Latin Music Estrellas on Social Media
32 LATINX PODCASTS
LatinX Podcasts Worth Listening
32 Spotlight
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DJS/PRODUCERS Santti, Pablo Fierro, Climbers, Daniela Albรกn
16 BEAUTY
Dr. John Diaz, MD, FACS
28
COMEDIAN Jenny Lorenzo
30
RETAIL North Menswear Martin Antonio Majano Jr.
34 ART & CULTURE
Roselly Monegro SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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PUBLISHER Max Media Worldwide
ART DIRECTOR Leslie Fierro-Haskin
CONTRIBUTORS Hommy Diaz Christina Ferraz Nora Flores Maggie Johnson Claudia Marmolejo Claudia Mercado Victor Noe Rodrigo Vasquez
CONTENT PRODUCERS Patricia Abi Rached Henry Bonilla Rick Huaynate
MUSICA ROOTS MAGAZINE is published by Max Media Worldwide. This Southern California edition is mailed to subscribers, circulated at strategic retail locations and events in Southern California. All Rights Reserved. No article, illustrations, photographs, advertisements, or other editorial content may be reproduced without permission. Musica Roots does not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. SALES & MARKETING info@musicaroots.com Join our growing social networks, weigh in on our stories, see our contributors share their activities, and explore exclusive experiences.
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DJS / PRODUCERS
AS THE WORLD BECOMES SMALLER AND MUSIC BECOMES MORE GLOBALIZED, LATIN MUSIC’S VAST INFLUENCE HAS BECOME UNDENIABLE. NOW, EDM IS HAVING ITS MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT. HERE ARE FOUR LATIN DJS AND PRODUCERS WE’RE KEEPING ON OUR RADAR THIS SUMMER:
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DJS/PRODUCERS SPOTLIGHT
SANTTI [ BRAZIL ]
PABLO FIERRO [ SPAIN ]
Lucas Lorenzetti, aka Santti, is new on the scene from Tangará da Serra, Brazil, and has already collaborated with the likes of international acts Banda Eva, Cat Dealers, and Vintage Culture. His raw talent and bumpin’ tracks have landed him on the roster of some of Brazil’s biggest festivals like Xxxperience, Laroc, and Rock In Rio.
Despite having been on the scene for over a decade since his first release, Pablo Fierro continues to evolve his sound and remain on top of a new wave of electronic music. Born and raised in the Canary Islands, his music is defined as tropical, electromagnetic, and powerful.
@santti
@pablofierromusic
SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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DJS/PRODUCERS SPOTLIGHT
CLIMBERS [ MEXICO ]
DANIELA ALBAN [ ECUADOR ]
Jay Blakk and Kiko Deal make up Climbers, a duo hailing from the Baja Cali city of Mexicali. Dubbed as “future stars” from BBC’s Pete Tong, and recently signed to Om Records (past artists include Kaskade, Wolfgang Gartner, and Bassnectar), Climbers have captured the attention of the EDM community with their fresh take on classic house sounds.
From Guayaquil, Ecuador, this young producer is all about the underground scene, sharing dance floor deliriums of techno, dub, psychedelic and low frequency sounds. When she’s not in the DJ booth, Daniela plays guitar, drums, bass and piano, which she utilizes in her soundscapes, live and “in the box”.
@climbersmexa
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@dani__alban
TOP SHOWS TO WATCH THIS SUMMER
WHAT TO BINGE
S
ummer is here, and while many people would rather go to the beach or hang out with their friends, some others would prefer to stay home and continue practicing social distance. In either case, we bring you a list of our favorite alternatives to binge-watch this summer...
Undone
Amazon Prime
Mucho, Mucho Amor Netflix
Netflix released a new documentary film titled ‘Mucho, mucho amor’ about the legend, icon, and beloved astrologist Walter Mercado. In case you didn’t have the chance of watching Walter Mercado on TV, something that could be the case if you’re maybe too young, I’ll give you a brief summary: He was an astrologer that began his career in 1970, with a 15-minute segment on Telemundo, where he made astrological predictions. He quickly became very famous and had a successful career that started in Latin America and extended to the whole world. Sadly, he recently passed away on November 19, due to kidney failure.
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This critically-acclaimed adult animation tells the story of Alma, a mixed young woman struggling with her own demons. She’s, ironically, done. She’s bored of her husband, her work, and her family. Then, one day Alma’s monotone life is over when she sees a projection of her dead father standing in the middle of the road, leading her into a car accident. Then, at the hospital, her father appears once again, telling Alma she’s special, just like her grandma, who had dementia. She starts to think, of course, that she’s crazy. The show is for sure a trip, a wild one, but totally worth it. You’ll be able to feel a deep connection with the main character and her story, how she struggles with her own feelings, and the things she cannot control. Rosa Salazar’s acting as Alma is superb; the animation style is so simple and classic yet innovative and breathtaking. If you like stories than can mix outstanding character development with a complex and twisted plot, you’ll love Undone.
Disclosure Netflix
If there is one thing Netflix stands out for, is for bringing a great variety of interesting documentaries. This time we would like to highlight Disclosure. This original production explores the representation of the trans community in the media from the beginnings of cinema to the present day. This documentary is a must to understand the impact of the media in our society and how it conditions us to act towards a minority in the real world. In Disclosure, we can hear testimonies from Chaz Bono, Tracy Lisette from ‘Transparent,’ MJ Rodriguez from ‘Pose,’ Candis Cayne from ‘Dirty Sexy Money,’ and many other trans artists who have struggled to represent their community under a positive light. In these times of social change, this documentary is a must see for anyone who wants to empathize with the LGBTQ+ community and learn about their history and the challenges they face.
Hamilton Disney+
In many musicals, we see that they are trying too hard to rhyme and follow the music with the words and stories they are telling. It feels unpleasant and inorganic most of the time. Still, with Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote something so complex like the rise and fall of a founding father from beginning to end. And not only the story of Alexander Hamilton, but his friends’, his wife’s, and her sisters’, and many other characters. All of this without falling into something that feels like the attempt of a good song. He actually made good, enjoyable songs. Every one of them has something unique, but at the same time, they are cohesive, making the story easy to follow at all times.
fresh start, where no one knows him. He wants to experiment and discover himself, what he likes, and what he doesn’t like. The show is mostly about Victor’s sexuality, who is confused whether he likes boys, or girls, or both -maybe none-. Being from a small, religious, Latin family, he has never had the opportunity to talk about it with anyone before, and now that he’s in a new place and everything is changing, he thinks it’s the right time to do so. It’s very easy to fall in love with these characters, who fell relatable since we all were once teenagers and can quickly put ourselves in their place. Well done and just deep enough, ‘Love, Victor’ takes you into a nostalgic trip to your days in high school and how intense, uncertain and explosive it is to be a teenager.
Control Z Netflix
La Casa de Las Flores Netflix
Love, Victor Hulu
This brand new TV Show works as a spinoff of the famous teen movie ‘Love, Simon.’ This one is about Victor Salazar, a fifteenyear-old who had to move from his old small town in Texas into a bigger city, Atlanta. He’s excited to have a new life, a
a Mexican TV show that came out of nowhere, lucky for them; it was a huge success in Latin America. The chapters are short too, and the show is already finished with three seasons, so it’s perfect to bingewatch on the weekend with friends. It has some explicit content, but nothing we have never seen before.
In case you haven’t heard about this show, La Casa de las Flores is a dark comedy about the De la Mora family. The show starts with a woman killing herself in the flowering shop of this family, making everyone discover that the father of the family had another woman and child. The De la Moras’ life then starts falling apart, they will struggle with money and relationships since they all discovered that the father was a cheater. La Casa De Las Flores is a super fun story about love, family, revenge, and forgiveness. It’s not that emotionally charged, and the acting, as well as the aesthetics are well put together. We can affirm no one was expecting it to be that good being
‘Control Z’ is one of the newest Netflix additions to the platform. It is, of course, a Netflix original series, and it’s set in Mexico, more specifically around El Colegio Nacional, a prestigious high school for rich kids. The main protagonist is Sofia, but the show follows a lot of other characters in her class. She’s an obsessive girl who’s always following the details of everyone’s life closely just for the thrill of it, she’s also an outcast, since she tried to kill herself sometime in the past, and everyone looks at her differently ever since then. And of course, since it’s a school where everyone is rich and living their best life, people do not want to befriend the mentally unstable girl. But things change one day in a school reunion, where a transgender student is outted in front of the whole school by a hacker who intends to leak everyone’s secrets. Lives start to crumble down as all the lies they’ve told start to unveil, and the only one clever and careful enough to find out who the hacker is the eagled-eye weirdo Sofia.
ENJOY MI GENTE!!! SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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TRAVEL
10 THINGS TO DO & SEE IN
a i n r o f i l a C n r e h t u o S 1 12
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FUN IN THE SUN WITH YOUR BEST BUDS AND A BOTTLE OF BUBBLY – THAT’S WHAT SUMMER’S ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? 2020 MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T GET OUT THERE AND LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST. HERE’S OUR LIST OF THINGS YOU CAN STILL SEE AND DO IN SUNNY SOCAL!
1. WHEN IN DOUBT, HIT THE BEACH Beaches are now open, but the city asks you to stay with your quarantine crew, as you should with any activity on this list. Still prohibited are beach volleyball, group sports, and any gathering between multiple households. So grab your sunscreen and a mask and get to bronzing that quarantine bod! And be sure to check online for any updates before you make the trip.
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3. SAIL OR CRUISE TO CATALINA ISLAND What better time to splurge on that helicopter ride you’ve always dreamed of? I mean, just imagine the views. Once you’re there, you can explore the island by foot, bike, boat, zipline, and even snorkeling. If you’re ballin’ on a budget, Catalina Island Company, aka California’s Island Escape™, is offering to cover your ferry with their Boat’s On Us Package. For more info, visit visitcatalinaisland.com
4. FEEL THE HEAT AT DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS 2
2. EXPLORE WINE COUNTRY ON HORSEBACK Unleash your inner cowboy/cowgirl! Meet the gentle giants of Wine Country Trails and ride through the Temecula vineyards at Maurice Car’rie Winery. For an even more majestic experience, reserve yourself a sunset tour, and ride off into the sunset to your heart’s content. For more info, visit winecountrytrailsbyhorseback.com
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There’s no feeling quite like basking in a natural jacuzzi in the middle of the Mojave desert. The hot springs are most accessible from Bowen Ranch via the Freedom Trail, which will take you about 2 miles each way. Those easily offended should proceed with caution, however. The area is known for attracting Angelenos looking to become “one with nature”, in the buff. For more info, visit fs.usda.gov/sbnf
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TRAVEL
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6. CATCH A MOVIE AT A DRIVE-IN THEATER While things are certainly not business-as-usual with seemingly indefinite restrictions for indoor operations, an era of outdoor movie theaters are having a moment in the spotlight. Queue the perfect opportunity for a road trip down nostalgia lane. Drive-in theaters currently showing include Paramount Drive-In, Mission Tiki, Rubidoux Drive-In, Van Buren Drive-In, Americana and Irvine Spectrum.
5. ESCAPE TO JOSHUA TREE IN AN AIRSTREAM Let’s be honest, we’ve all taken a moment to wonder about #vanlife. Maybe it’s lust for the freedom of travel, tempt for the lack of rent, or simply curiosity of the, um, hygiene situation. Whatever your motive, this undeniably hip Airbnb can give you a taste of the lifestyle, and simultaneously be the envy of all your Instagramming friends. Check it out on airbnb.com 14
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7. GO CAMPING AT BIG BEAR LAKE
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Breathtaking views, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, waterskiing… Big Bear Lake is where it’s at. If you’re dying to get out on the water, Serrano Campground provides easy lake access and boat rentals. For avid hikers and bikers looking for a challenge, Pineknot is your best bet for scouting out the more technical routes. Note that on-site showers are currently closed due to COVID-19, so a portable solar shower might be a worthy investment. For more info, visit bigbear.com
8. MAP A WALKING TOUR OF DTLA’S ARTS DISTRICT While you may be prohibited from actually entering the buildings, there’s plenty to admire from the outside in Downtown’s Arts District. Play tour guide and set out to see some the city’s best street art, and pick up some craft brews from Angel City Brewing while you’re at it. Preorder from angelcitybrewery.com
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9. BIKE AROUND GRIFFITH PARK Home to the famous Griffith Observatory and objectively the best views of LA’s skyline, you can’t go wrong with Griffith park by any mode of transportation. It is on a bicycle, however, that the entire park really opens up for exploration. With loops available ranging from 3.5 miles to 7 miles, there’s an option for whatever fitness level and/or timeframe you’re working with. For more info, visit: laparks.org/griffithpark
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10. OUTDOOR GARDENS Tired of people? No better way to escape the madness than to surround yourself in a botanical oasis of nature’s everyday wonders. Some of the most expansive gardens still open in SoCal include The Aboretum, Huntington Library, Descanso Gardens, South Coast Botanic Garden, and Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden.
SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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BEAUTY
DR. JOHN DIAZ
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON We had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Johnny Diaz, the Dominican-American plastic surgeon at his Penthouse office in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. John Diaz is an Ivy League graduate from Cornell University. He received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Dr. Diaz graduated from medical school with the highest honors and for this, he received the Alpha Omega Alpha Award, which is given to only the top 10% of medical students in the country. He is a medical staff member of the renowned Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, and has a private practice in Beverly Hills. He serves as the President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons and has presented lectures on plastic surgery throughout the United States. Dr. Diaz is a published author of articles on plastic surgery. One of his published work is called A Comprehensive Guide to Breast Augmentation. Where he reveals everything you need to know on how to achieve the look you’ve dreamed of and separate truth from fiction during your online research. His book is now available on Amazon.com.
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He has appeared in numerous national and international television programs and magazines. He has served as an expert on plastic surgery for various television programs including CNN, Dr. Drew’s Lifechanger’s and HLN and is now honored to be a member of the Plastic Surgery Channel.
Q&A
WHICH IMPLANT DO YOU RECOMMEND? SALINE OR SILICONE?
Ultimately, it's up to each person. My advice is to choose the silicone implant if it fits within your budget. If not, then a saline implant is a perfectly fine option.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE IMPLANT RUPTURES? SALINE OR SILICONE? It is very rare for the current versions of saline or silicone implants to break or rupture.
DOES A PATIENT NEED TO REPLACE THEIR IMPLANTS AFTER 10 YEARS?
No, patients do not necessarily have to replace their implants after 10 years. Replacing implants after 10 years is a misconception that has been spread in the media and on the Internet.
RECOVERY PROCESS?
Most of our patients are able to return to work within a few days. We usually recommend a week if possible.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIALTY?
Facial Procedures, Breast Procedures, Body Procedures, Non-Invasive Facial Rejuvenation, Non-Invasive Fat Reduction, and Skin Care.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A PLASTIC SURGEON? HOW OLD WERE YOU?
I decided to pursue plastic surgery at the beginning of my second year of medical school when I was approximately 23 years old. I had decided relatively early on in medical school that I wanted to be a surgeon and spent time observing cardiothoracic surgery ("heart surgery"), orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery, and urology. Of all the specialties though, I fell in love with plastic surgery. I was blown away by the fact that plastic surgeons learn how to operate on every single part of the body and in every
age group. Whether it is correcting a birth defect in the skull of an infant, or reconstructing the face after an accident, plastic surgeons have a unique and artistic skillset that sets them apart from every other surgeon.
AS A DOMINICAN-AMERICAN FROM NEW YORK CITY; WHAT MADE YOU PACK YOUR BAGS AND OPEN YOUR PRACTICE IN BEVERLY HILLS? ISN’T MIAMI, FL CLOSER AND THE IDEAL LOCATION FOR A NEW YORKER?
I never imagined in a million years that I would have ended up in Los Angeles, let alone Beverly Hills. I saw myself as a life-long New Yorker. However, after several brutal winters working long hours in the hospital, I decided I wanted to try a different environment, even if it was temporary. I seriously considered Miami, especially because it is an easy and natural transition from NYC. In the back of my mind, I wondered if I had what it took to succeed in Beverly Hills, which is considered the mecca of plastic surgery. I then decided to give myself a challenge, as I usually do. I decided I would try Beverly Hills for one year and see what I can do in that time frame. If it didn't go well, I would simply go back to NYC or Miami since I already had job offers in both cities. Well, within one year of moving to Beverly Hills, I was invited to be a part of the TV show "Dr. 90210" and quickly built a thriving practice. Since then, I continue to make a mark in my profession here in Beverly Hills and was even elected the President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Now, looking back, I think I made the right decision.
WHAT’S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE LATIN ARTIST?
By far, my favorite Latin artist is Juan Luis Guerra. Not only is he Dominican, but he is a true poet and musical genius. I admire the fact that he studied music in college in the U.S., gaining an academic and intellectual understanding of musical theory. He used this knowledge to take a then-obscure form of Dominican folk music called "bachata" and transformed it into the phenomenon that it is today. Few musicians have made as much of a revolution and impact in Latin music, or any form of music, than he has.
465 N Roxbury Drive (Penthouse Suite) Beverly Hills, CA 90210 424.278.2214 drjohndiaz.com @drjohndiaz SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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COVER STORY
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Meet PITIZION THE COLOMBIAN SONGSTRESS WITH A WHOLESOME MESSAGE BY VICTOR NOE
P
itizion is the stage name of María del Pilar Pérez, an actress and songstress from Bogotá who has taken the Latin music scene by surprise, deliberating songs full of sensitivity and soul.
Her career began in the world of television. In 2011 she landed a supporting role in ‘Grachi’, Nickelodeon’s teen series, followed by a couple of Telemundo telenovelas including ‘Corazon Valiente’ and ‘Un esposo en alquiler.’ The talent of this Colombian goes far beyond acting, as she recently decided to venture into the world of music, achieving extraordinary results. Pitizion’s style is difficult to put into a category, but what is clear is that she has managed to earn a place for herself in today’s Latin American pop music scene.
"PITIZION CHOOSES TO USE HER PLATFORM TO GIVE US A POSITIVE MESSAGE, THIS TIME SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO US AND GIVING US A LESSON IN SELF-LOVE."
With her first single, titled ‘Ella’, Pitizion defined herself as an artist willing to break all the models imposed on the current reggaeton scene. ‘Ella’ is a song that mixes a danceable and tropical rhythm with subtle guitar chords. What makes her first single special is the message in her lyrics. A pop-reggaeton song that talks about self-esteem and overcoming a toxic relationship. Now we have the pleasure to listen to her new single, ‘Tú’, which is visualized by an inspiring music video. Once again, Pitizion chooses to use her platform to give us a positive message, this time speaking directly to her followers and giving them the importance of self-love. Pitizion promises to change the industry and warm our hearts with songs full of positivity, so necessary in these times we live.
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Q&A WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST?
In all honesty, I’ve always had it in my blood. As a little girl I was always performing, whether it was singing at birthday parties, singing for my neighborhood or participating in shows. However, when I was 14 I had a really special encounter with music and the arts which confirmed that becoming an artist was the right path for me.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER?
My biggest supporter is my mom since day zero! My mom has always been my number one fan and has always believed in me. She always tells me to never stop believing in my dreams and to remember no matter what is going on in my life to never stop chasing them.
YOU HAVE A UNIQUE NAME. IS THAT YOUR REAL NAME OR WHAT’S THE MEANING OF PITIZION? The meaning of Pitizion comes from two things. My name is María del Pilar Pérez and growing up the people around me always called me “Piti”. The second element that comes into play was when I was 19, a man named Papa Zion did dreadlocks on me. Joking around, he blessed them with ‘Pitizion’ and it just stuck from then.
WE LOVE YOUR BOHO-CHIC LOOK AND TATTOOS. WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST TATTOO AND WHY?
Thank you very much! I feel like I’ve always had this style. I love wearing lots of bracelets, having tattoos, styling my hair with dreadlocks and simply being comfortable. I did my first tattoo in 2009. I did it with one of my friends. I decided to get the Om symbol () tattooed. I don’t really remember why I got it, I guess it was a rebellious stage. (Laughing)
TELL US THE STORY ON HOW YOU WERE DISCOVERED?
I decided to share my music on social media, and I was discovered on Instagram by record producer Andres Saaverda. He sent me a direct message and mentioned that he was looking to discover new artists and wanted to see my work. After a few conversations I showed him what I had been working on and he really liked it. He told me there was a lot of potential, but it needed some finetuning, so we got to work. He suggested that I start writing so that I can find my personal style. After some time, he took my music to Universal Music Latin Entertainment where I was officially signed in 2019.
HOW HAS THIS PANDEMIC IMPACTED YOUR MUSIC-MAKING PROCESS?
Thankfully I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to keep working and creating content, So I feel very blessed in that aspect. I’ve had more releases than ever during this time and have found a lot of muse to write music. I have taken this time for some introspection and have reflected that into my work. This time has really given me the opportunity to write from the soul. 20
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"I WAS DISCOVERED ON INSTAGRAM" TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SONG TU?
“Tu” is a very special song. It’s a song full of love, self-acceptance, and self-love. It’s also a song created to help us remember how special and unique we all are. Right now, there is a lot of noise on social media that is trying to sell the perfect image with something that is not normal. This song helps us remember that being normal is special and our essence is what matters. We should not be fooled by what we see on social media.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED IN YOUR MUSIC CAREER?
The biggest lesson I have learned thus far is that you must be humble in this industry because you never know where you’ll be tomorrow. You need to respect your colleagues. If you don’t know someone don’t talk about them. Respect other’s art without judgement. Don’t stop working and stay focused on your work, mind your own business. I have also learned that it’s better to do more and speak less. Let your art speak for you.
WHEN DID YOU COME HERE AND WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT COLOMBIA?
I moved to the United States in 2006 when I was 14 years old. I first lived in New Jersey then later moved to Miami. I miss many things about Colombia. I miss my neighborhood, the food, the milk man passing by, the person selling the mazamorra. These are a few of the very simple yet special things that I miss about my country. I remember these things from my childhood I loved going to the river, the farm and horseback riding.
WE SAW AND HEARD YOUR MOST RECENT COLLABORATION WITH GREEICY. CAN YOU SHARE ANY FUTURE COLLABS OR WHO YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
This collaboration filled me with a lot of joy! I admire Greeicy very much and was ecstatic when she believed in my art and decided to join the track, “No Pasa Nada.” In regards to future collaborations, all I can say is that I will be collaborating with a female Mexican artist soon. I hope you guys enjoy it!
ANY ORGANIZATION YOU ARE SUPPORTING OR WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE?
I would love to work with an organization that encourages and teaches children that come from underprivileged communities the importance of chasing their dreams while incorporating music. Another organization would be one that helps animals. I’ve actually volunteered at some animal shelters in Miami, FL. @pitizion
COVER STORY
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COVER STORY
"I HAVE TAKEN THIS TIME FOR SOME INTROSPECTION AND HAVE REFLECTED THAT INTO MY WORK. THIS TIME HAS REALLY GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE FROM THE SOUL."
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OPEN A CAN AND
Live your Besa life.
drinkbesa.com
RESTAURANTS
Outdoor Dining in LOS ANGELES
THE MALIBU CAFE
RIVIERA HOUSE
FUEGO
THE FRONT YARD
MOONSHADOWS
OLA MEXICAN KITCHEN
@themalibucafe Malibu (818) 540-2400
@thefrontyardla North Hollywood (818) 255-7290
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@riviera-house Redondo Beach (310) 540-8484
@moonshadows_malibu Malibu (310) 456-3010
@fuegolb Long Beach (562) 481-3910
@ola-mexican-kitchen Long Beach & Huntington Beach (714) 969-7300
RESTAURANTS
and ORANGE COUNTY
LAS BRISAS
4TH STREET MARKET
SEALEGS AT THE BEACH
SEVILLA
ISLA CUBAN LATIN KITCHEN
HABANA
@lasbrisaslagunabeach Laguna Beach (949) 497-5434
@sevillaoc Costa Mesa & Long Beach (949) 688-1555
@4thstreetmarket Santa Ana (714) 486-0700
@islacubanlatinkitchen La Palma (714) 735-8597
@sealegsatthebeach Huntington Beach (714) 698-4188
@restauranthabana Irvine & Costa Mesa (949) 419-0100
PROMOTE YOUR RESTAURANT HERE! INFO@MUSICAROOTS.COM
SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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LATIN MUSIC ESTRELLAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY MAGGIE JOHNSON
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and now TikTok. While some of us struggling to keep up with the abundance of content flooding the airwaves (myself included, admittedly), many are thriving with the ever-changing technological landscape, otherwise known as social media. It’s become easier than ever to connect with friends and fans, and you better believe Latin music’s biggest stars are getting in on the action. It’s a social media world, and these are the top social media girls (and boys).
1 3 SELENA GOMEZ (348.9M total) The third-generation Mexican-American has fully transcended from everyone’s favorite Disney star to an executive producer, with her name on the popular Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, and most recently, Living Undocumented, a docu-series following eight immigrant families as they face potential deportation. In the process, Selena has racked up a hefty 181 million Instagram followers, ranking her the 6th most followed account on the platform, and the 2nd most followed musician (beat only by Ariana Grande). She also takes the cake for most followed Latina on Twitter with 61 million followers.
2 SHAKIRA (254.3M total) The “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker and costar of last year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Shakira, takes the lead on Facebook with almost a hundred-million likes. The Colombian singer recently performed her song “Sale el Sol” during Global Goal: Unite Our Future, Global Citizen’s benefit concert which brought awareness to COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.
JENNIFER LOPEZ (236.3M total) This triple-threat Latina from the Bronx is a hit across all platforms, perhaps most impressively on TikTok (formerly called Musical.ly), the relatively new and Gen Z-dominated app. Our PuertoRican queen made waves on the short-form video platform with the #JLoSuperBowlChallenge, challenging her 10.5 million followers to post their own renditions of her Super Bowl Halftime Show dance. As for the more seasoned social media sites, Instagram and Twitter, Jenny boasts a following of 124 million and 45 million, respectively.
Note: With Snapchat’s less-transparent nature, we’ve forgone those numbers for the purpose of this list. 26
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TRENDING ARTISTS
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HERE ARE THE TOP 5 FOR EACH PLATFORM: INSTAGRAM Followers Selena Gomez (181M) Jennifer Lopez (124M) Demi Lovato (86.2M) Cardi B (69.5M) Shakira (67.3M)
4 DEMI LOVATO (138.7M total) BRUNO MARS (152.3M total) The singer-songwriter known for his R&B-infused pop tunes reigns as the most-followed Latino musician on the list at 55.5 million strong on Facebook, 43.1 million on Twitter, and 28 million on YouTube. The part Puerto-Rican (born Peter Hernandez) has been quiet this quarantine, but we might be able to expect a comeback soon...
Despite lacking personal accounts for two of the five major platforms (Twitter and TikTok accounts operated under the handle @TeamDemi seem to share the burden for marketing purposes), this former Disney star still manages to clock in well over 100 million followers, putting her at a nottoo-shabby 5th on the list. On a return from hiatus, Demi released a new single “I’m Ready”, and has remained outspoken on topics like LGBTQ+ rights and equality via her channels.
HONORABLE MENTION: DADDY YANKEE (117.3M total) With a prolific career dating back to the early 90’s, the “King of Reggaeton” tops the YouTube list at just over 30 million, and is featured on fellow Puerto-Rican artist Luis Fonsi’s recordbreaking crossover hit “Despacito”, which currently holds the title of most viewed video on YouTube with a whopping 6.84 billion views.
TWITTER Followers Selena Gomez (61.3M) Shakira (52.2M) Jennifer Lopez (45.2M) Bruno Mars (43.1M) Pitbull (25.7M)
FACEBOOK Likes Shakira (99.5M) Selena Gomez (61.3M) Bruno Mars (55.5M) Pitbull (53.7M) Enrique Iglesias (47.4M)
YOUTUBE Subscribers Daddy Yankee (30.1M) Shakira (29.5M) Luis Fonsi (28M) Bruno Mars 28M) Selena Gomez (25.7M)
TIK TOK Followers Selena Gomez (19.6M) Kimberly Loaiza (19.5M) Lele Pons (11.7M) Jennifer Lopez (10.5M) J Balvin (9.4M)
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COMEDIAN SPOTLIGHT
JENNY
LORENZO Jenny Lorenzo is an actor, writer, and content creator known for her relatable comedy diving into life as a 1st generation Cuban-American, or “living in the hyphen”. Shortly after co-founding BuzzFeed's Latinx-focused channel Pero Like, the comedian’s beloved Abuela character became a viral YouTube sensation and won her ”Best Character" at the Tecla Awards 2018. Her witty banter can also be found on Aggressive Comix and We Are Mitú, as well as heard on Cartoon Network's Victor & Valentino. We caught up with Jenny to discuss her work and the inspirations that fuel it.
FROM YOUR EARLIER DAYS TO NOW, HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR MATERIAL HAS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS? I’ve been creating digital content for a little over ten years, andI have certainly gone through an evolution. From 2011 to 2015, I was part of a YouTube channel called Aggressive Comix, in which I talked about all things geeky. From comics to video games to superhero films. Once I moved to LA in 2015 and became a producer at BuzzFeed, I turned my attention towards Latino content because I realized the company severely lacked that representation. I teamed up with a few more people, and we created Pero Like. The Abuela character, herself, has also evolved as 28
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more work has been put into her voice, posture, mannerisms, and overall appearance over the years. Now that I consistently play seven characters, my material has delved into their lives, their relationship to one another, and their backstories. I am always looking to improve and evolve my content and writing. I strive for that constantly.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A COMEDIAN? Hoping other people find things as funny as you do. Comedy is subjective! And for that reason, with every new sketch release, I’m biting my nails over whether it’ll resonate with others or not.
LET’S GET INTO YOUR “ABUELA” ROLE, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRAZIER TOPICS YOU’VE TACKLED?
My Abuela character is based on my real maternal grandma. Her name was Orquídea Diaz, and she had a significant hand in raising my sister and me. I’ve been imitating her since I was a kid and brought her into my drama class performances and improv games. When it came to debuting her on the Internet, it was for a review of the film, Kick-Ass 2,on the Aggressive Comix channel. Abuela’s been involved in many shenanigans and has worked with celebrities such as Elvis
Crespo, Rita Moreno, and Pedro Pascal. Abuela has also been a professor at Hogwarts, the founder of Jurassic Park, and became the virtual assistantAmazon Abuela. La Abuela esta en todo.
"THERE’S NO ONE-SIZE-FITSALL WITHIN THE CULTURE AND BEING CUBAN-AMERICAN FROM MIAMI HAS GIFTED ME WITH SO MANY EXCITING STORIES AND CHARACTERS TO WRITE ABOUT."
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HAVE MADE IT SUCH A SUCCESSFUL PLATFORM FOR COMEDIANS IN PARTICULAR?
Social media has been one of the best ways for artists to showcase their work across the board. And it’s especially beneficial to comedians. Even more so during this pandemic! I’ve participated in Zoom comedy shows, live streams, and I can put my work out there because I have everything I need to make content at home.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORLD OF COMEDY NEEDS MORE OF TODAY? I want to see more physical comedy in sitcoms and the kind of roasting you saw on hit shows like Fresh Prince and Martin. The world of comedy also needs to diversify, which is currently being discussed in major improv schools like UCB, The Groundlings, Second City, etc.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST ACCOMPLISHED MOMENT? My most accomplished moment is having co-founded BuzzFeed’s Pero Like alongside Jasmin Ontiveros, Alex Alvarez, and Norberto Briceños. All four of us worked very hard and dealt with a lot of adversity and push-back. But we believed in ourselves, the content, and our audience and didn’t take no for an answer.
WHO HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO YOU?
My upbringing in a CubanAmerican household in Miami has undoubtedly been an inspiration for me. Especially my Cuban family. My peers also
especially, comedians, we want to be of use to our community and bring some joy and laughter now more than ever. I’ve also learned that what I do is also a discipline. There have been more days than I can count that I was too depressed, worried, anxious, and stressed out to make comedy videos. But I did it anyway. I will always stand by the fact that getting stuff done isn’t about motivation but discipline.
inspire me. I’m consistently surrounded by incredibly kind and talented people who know how to hustle. Growing up watching comedy giants such as Lucille Ball, Carol Burnette, and Vicki Lawrence certainly helped push me towards being a comedian as well.
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A COMEDIAN?
I would say so, yes. I knew I wanted to get into comedy when I was 10-years-old. I performed a comedic monologue where I played a cheesy saleswoman trying to sell scratch-n-sniff Bibles in front of a large crowd, and upon hearing the laughter from the audience, I just knew I found my place in this world.
HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND AS A BILINGUAL AND CUBANAMERICAN HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
It has helped me immensely. I cannot express enough how thankful I am that Spanish was my first language and that I spent as much time as I did around my grandparents, who only spoke Spanish. Knowing
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR RECENT SUCCESS WITH YOUR ROLE AS LUPE IN CARTOON NETWORK'S VICTOR & VALENTINO.
both languages and, as a Miami native, inheriting our common third language of Spanglish, has helped me showcase the city’s remarkable diversity. You have Laritza, who speaks Spanglish, Abuela, who mostly speaks Spanish, and Jasleiney, who cannot speak a lick of it. I like to showcase how alike anddifferent Cuban-Americans are from one another. There’s no one-size-fits-all within the culture. And being CubanAmerican from Miami has gifted me with so many exciting stories and characters to write about.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED OR ENJOYED DURING COVID-19? I have learned how to stay creative and continue to churn out content throughout the pandemic. I haven’t left the house in over four months! And for the first two and a half months, I had to produce everything on my own without my crew. Now, my small team and I are working together again under incredibly strict guidelines. We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to make content together during a time like this. As artists and,
Getting to play Lupe has been a dream come true. In my early 20s, I’d attend all the South Florida comic book conventions and talk to all the veteran voice actors like John DiMaggio and Rob Paulsen. They were always so kind and would give me advice on how to make it as a voice actor. Upon moving to Los Angeles, one of the first things I did was enroll in voice acting classes, and I am eternally grateful to the creator of the show, Diego Molano, for giving me a chance. He’s a Cuban/Mexican/ColombianAmerican from Miami, and he came across my videos, which led to my audition. It’s pretty cool to voice a character with a Cuban accent- something I’ve never seen in an animated series. In addition to Victor and Valentino, I recently booked a few recurring roles in a brand new animated series, but I can’t talk about it yet. Stay tuned!
ANY CAUSES OR ORGANIZATIONS YOU SUPPORT AND WOULD LIKE TO MENTION?
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Mutt Scouts, Nosotros, We All Grow Latina, The Okra Project, NALIP, The Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline, Black Girls CODE. @jennizzle SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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Our next issue will be released during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). In this issue, we'll feature our diverse community and leaders who are making a difference. Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in America celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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RETAIL SPOTLIGHT
NORTH MENSWEAR BY HOMMY DIAZ
Martin Antonio Majano, Jr was
born in San Francisco (the mission) in the mid-’70s, he grew up in the Bay Area until he decided to move to New York in 2000, where he finally felt like he found himself. Then in 2010, he moved to Orange County CA, where he’s made it his home for the past 10 yrs. If you’re looking for a sleek online shopping experience with curated brands, Martín has you covered at North Menswear. He has a passion for his family, friends, cigars, music art, fashion, and motorcycles. Because of his love of motorcycles, Martín is involved with and on the planning committee of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride which occurs every year in September. The efforts of this ride help raise funds for prostate cancer research as well as bringing to light mental health awareness. All proceeds go to the Movember foundation.
WHAT IS THE SOUNDTRACK OR ARTIST BEHIND YOUR MOTIVATION?
There is so much music that inspires me. Latin rappers The Beatnuts are one group that is always my go-to when I want to get pumped. Watch Out Now is one of my favorite tracks as it hypes me up to continue to move forward. Don’t let the intro of “Get money, get money” fool you. For me, this just means to continue to hustle and work hard. Another Latin artist is a newly discovered MC by the name of Habit. His song “The Grit” gets me amped as the chorus states “I have a good foundation cause I came up from the concrete!”. It reminds me of where I came from to keep my humbled and grounded.
RETAILERS ACROSS ALL TIERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A CONSISTENT DECLINE IN BUSINESS THE PAST FEW
“LET GO OF PRIDE AND EGO. I’VE SEEN TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT FEEL THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THEM. WHEN YOU WORK COLLECTIVELY, YOU BRING OTHERS UP AND WE ALL SUCCEED TOGETHER.” Martin Antonio Majano, Jr
YEARS. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO OPEN AND OPERATE A RETAIL BRICK AND MORTAR PRE-COVID19, DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING WE DON’T?
It’s the grit that keeps me moving forward. I’ve worked far too long for others that have had a narrow mind about business and have been so focused on archaic ideology and business models that many have failed and are going bankrupt. I’ve learned at a young age to adapt and pivot. Change is the one thing that is constant and if you resist what persists, you will be left behind. I’ve also learned that failure is ok. Failure is a path to success. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks and try new things. When it comes to retail, I love to collaborate and cross-market. My goal is to discover the next best thing.
ADVICE TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS?
Let go of Pride and Ego. I’ve seen too many people that feel the world revolves around them. When you work collectively, you bring others up and we all succeed together.
WHY LAGUNA BEACH AND WHO IS THE NORTH MENSWEAR MUSE?
There is a mixture of muses in Laguna Beach. The modern-day renaissance man. The adrenaline junky, biker, surfer, city slicker. Think of Point Break. They have a no-limit attitude! Our muse is a chameleon. They can be put into any situation and adapt quickly. This person is all walks of life. They work hard, play hard, love life, and live it to the fullest.
FOR THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW VISIT MUSICAROOTS.COM @northmenswear.com SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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LATINX PODCASTS
APPLE PODCASTS
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AUDIOBOOM
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iHeart RADIO
LAMUSICA.COM
PODBEAM
reVolver
SPOTIFY
SOUNDCLOUD
YOUTUBE
LATINX PODCASTS WORTH LISTENING CAFÉ CON CHISME
Café con Chisme is hosted by siblings Jaz and Seb, where they discuss political issues, race, and more. These Latinx siblings are very outspoken when criticizing social injustices and showing support to marginalized minorities while not losing that fun and familiar touch.
THE PLATANO DIARIES
The Platano Diaries is hosted by Adrianna Torres y Verónica Dávila where they talk about astrology, being Latinx and Caribbean pop culture through a very critical and feminist point of view.
PILI, RAUL AND LA MUSICA
Emmy winner TV host and producer Pili Montilla and DJ Raul Campos merged to bring alive this amazing, sincere and raw, podcast about the best Latin music you can find.
LUIS JIMENEZ PODCAST The famous radio host Luis Jimenez made his jump to Internet platforms with his Podcasts, where he covers hot topics with his irreverent humor.
SPANISH AQUÍ PRESENTS
Raiza, Oscar, Tony and Carlos host this comedy Podcast where they discuss Latino life, culture, and pop culture with their guests, or just between them with their unique, funny and enjoyable point of view.
TO GET INSPIRED, LAUGH, DANCE, AND MORE... There's always a podcast you can hear and feel related to, but sometimes you just don't have the time to get on the internet and find them, and that's why we've made the research for you and put together a selection of some of our favorite Latinx podcasts for you (in no particular order) to hear and enjoy whenever you have the time to. LATINOS WHO LUNCH
Hosted by artist Favy Fav and art historian Babelito, this podcast all about inclusivity. They cover some very important topics within the Latinx community, like gender identity or racism, or some easier to digest like music, movies, or art.
TALK FAST, LISTEN SLOW
Hosted by Katherine Castro and Angela Carrasco, ‘Talk Fast, Listen Slow’ has been called the perfect “BFF” Podcast, because these two friends have unique chemistry while discussing topics like love life or culture.
LATINA TO LATINA
Writer Alicia Menendez host this amazing podcast about women and for women where she invites remarkable Latinas to discuss their lives and careers, and how they get to where they are now.
¡VIVA LATINO! PODCAST
Viva Latino is a Spotify original Podcast where they bring the most streamed Latin superstars to join and share interviews, breakdown their hits or discuss Latino culture and lifestyle with them.
HANGING WITH THE SOTELOS
Edgar and Janet are a married couple; parents to two young girls and their podcast is pretty much about their life and their relationship. Centering on relationship drama, and how to overcome that through faith and love.
LATINOS OUT LOUD
‘Latinos Out Loud’ (LOL) is a comedy podcast hosted by comedians Rachel StraussMuniz, Michael Diaz, Jaime Fernandez and Nick Nibbs, where they mostly discuss their own life and pop culture through a fun point of view.
SPILLIN’ THE FRIJOLES W/ MEXICAN GUEYS Jairo Orozco first started making content for vine and launched an Instagram comedy page, where Bryan Rojo joined. Later on they started their own podcast ‘Spilling the Frijoles’, where they talk about their own life and Latino culture.
LAMUSICA PODCAST
This is an all-Spanish Podcast where Mauricio Londoño talks about Latin musicians like Anitta, Chocquibtown and Jhay Cortez to discuss their music, inspirations or most recent releases. You can listen on LaMusica.com or their app only.
THE RODRIGUEZ PODCAST
Cesar and Carlos Rodriguez discuss hot topics, new music, and highlighting local artists looking to connect with their fans.
SISTER SISTER
A podcast hosted by 2 sisters, RaqC and Susie. Raised by the same parents, the same household, that chose 2 different life paths. They agree to disagree ALOT and if you don’t know them you would think they are fighting, but they talk passionately. A showwhere nothing is off-limits. These 2 sisters are talking about it ALL, relationships, sex, marriage, dating, career, health, and everything in between. SUMMER 2020 | MUSICAROOTS.COM |
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ART & CULTURE
"AS A WOMEPRENEUR, I WANT TO HELP OTHER WOMEN IN BUSINESS GET MORE EYES ON THEIR BRANDS. WE NEED MORE WOMEN CHASING THEIR DREAMS AND BUILDING THEIR COMPANY AND IT MAKES ME HAPPY TO BE A SMALL PART OF THAT, LET’S WORK TOGETHER!” - Roselly Monegro 34
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Roselly Monegro
H
ave you ever wondered who’s behind those inspirational quotes on the wall at your local WeWork, or those trendy phrases everyone's sharing on their Instagram stories? Meet La Dominicana Roselly Monegro, an LA-based graphic designer with her finger on the pulse, specializing in hand-lettering and illustration. Capable of anything from
logo design to live painting for events. Roselly has worked with brands like Coach, Facebook, and Vans, as well as #WeAllGrow Latina Network paying homage to her Latina roots. Not one to shy away from profanities or politics, her style is both artful and compelling, conveying relevant and unapologetically bold messages aimed to empower. @theinkingrose
She also had the opportunity to work with the brand COACH where they partnered with different artists to spark some positivity during quarantine.
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OLDWORLDHB.COM
