By José Gandue @Gandour Archive photos Nakury and Barzo
Costa Rica has distinguished itself in recent years as the leading force in contemporary music in Central America. Yes, It is a small country of five million inhabitants (almost all South American capitals have larger populations) and the media, which only pay attention to what happens in the major metropolises, care little or nothing about what happens in those other regions. But, as we have shown in several recent articles, At Zonagirante.com we know that, although it's a small art scene compared to other more famous ones, what happens in San José and its surroundings gives us plenty to talk about. And we've seen that reflected in their rock, pop, electronic music, and other genres. That's why we're so happy to receive the new material from the independent record label. Cosmic Dairy.It is a seven-song album that, under the simple title of O, reflects the meeting of Nakury, rapper and communicator, who sings lyrics with everyday and social content, and Barzo, DJ and producer associated with labels such as Spinnin' Records, Armada Music and DIM MAK, having officially remixed such prominent names as Janelle Monáe, Erykah Badu, Boy George, A-Trak and Dillon Francis, inter alia. O It sounds like hip hop fueled by salsa, bolero, reggaeton, bossa nova and swing, and addresses several of the issues that concern new generations around the world., That is, the environment, social inequalities, and the pursuit of justice for all. It's a compilation of recordings that's easy to listen to, enjoyable from the first moment., because of the richness of elements that make up her production and because of the strength of Nakury's voice, exquisite auditory treat with a character impossible to ignore. O (Although it might sound like a weekend joke) it's a well-rounded album that deserves to be heard across the continent. That's why we contacted them and started talking:
What is it about? O?
Nakury: O It speaks of the infinite connection between all forms of life, of an internationalist consciousness, and of the connection with the earth.
What makes them talk about these topics?
Barzo: The themes explored in the album are related to our personal values and life experiences. They are topics we identify with as human beings, and it's the philosophy we want to convey through our music.
Nakury: It is the contribution we want to make to our environment in this very chaotic context.
I apologize if the following question seems ironic: Do you think what you say and sing will be heard by those who can make the biggest changes?
Nakury: Anyone can make a change; no one is more important than another. If someone feels the desire to connect with the earth and feels at one with it, they will seek to transform their environment. It's no secret that we are living through a climate crisis, a pandemic, within a patriarchal, racist, neo-colonial, and unequal structure. And often, those in positions of power don't necessarily seek the collective good. So, regardless of the context, if we awaken to that power of personal transformation, we can project it onto the collective.
Barzo: We believe that the greatest impact isn't in the hands of those with the most economic power. Change begins with the smallest actions, in our daily lives, in our habits. This is how we inspire people to make a change, and it's these actions that lead to social transformation.
Is this the first time you've worked together on a recording project?
Barzo: Our collaboration began in 2015, with the composition and production of Nakury's debut album titled "VIA" and released in 2017. That release led us to present the material throughout Central America, North America and Europe, and those experiences led us to the creation of the new collaborative material that we are currently releasing.
Costa Rica is a country with an interesting music scene, how would you describe it to someone who doesn't know it?
Nakury: We are a country located at the heart of what we now call the American Continent. For millennia, we have been a center of cultural exchange between North and South America. Here, we experience a great mix of cultures and are deeply influenced by the teachings of Afro-Caribbean culture and the indigenous peoples. We are a small territory, but with coastlines on both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and all of this is reflected in our music.
That is clearly reflected in their music, but, in particular, what distinguishes their project from others?
Nakury: I think each project is very distinct from the others and has its own specialty. I love Costa Rican music from several generations, and in fact, I listen to more local music than foreign music.
Barzo: Our project is distinguished by both the lyrical and social content of our messages and the sonic diversity of our music. We also care deeply about reflecting who we are and our environment in what we do. Our team, both in the graphic and sound departments, is made up primarily of women and also members of the LGBTQI+ community, and that's why we create songs that express our diverse realities.
Finally: what are your short and medium-term plans?
Barzo: We're currently focused on promoting our new album, which is the result of two years of work. In the coming weeks, we'll be releasing a music video for the album's third single, "Equilibrio." We've also had to adjust our promotional strategy, specifically our live concerts, to adapt them to a virtual format. Therefore, this year we're participating in various music markets such as Corriente (Peru), IMESUR (Chile), and Circulart (Colombia) to continue building connections with other South American countries, with a view to a future tour of the continent at the end of 2021.