Bustle Mixtape
Her sophomore album glides between genres like a bespoke playlist.
By the time you read this, Becky Gssophomore albumwill be streaming worldwide, a genre-bending project calledEsquemas.
I failed Spanish in school, she tells Bustle, because it wasSpaniard Spanish.
Id always dreamt of doing Spanish music.
Below, Gomez discusses her transition to the Latin market, Bruno Mars, andEsquemas standout tracks.
On Embracing Her Roots
Growing up Mexican American, did you embrace both sides of your identity?
I had to choose one or the other.
My biggest fear and reservation was that [Spanish] wasnt myemotional language.
I was very emotionally connected to the music, though.
Id been singing with mariachis since I was 7, 8 years old.
It was like, Oh my God.
Same with Shakira, same with JLo.
Has your Spanish changed at all since you entered the Latin music market?
How long fans waited?
How longIwaited for that to happen.
Or shes been really honest with me, and its not the right song.
Ive always appreciated that about her.
How do you feelEsquemasdiffers from your first album?
Now I dont even identify with one genre.
Ive doneSpanish country music, Ive doneregional Mexican music, Ive donepop music, Ive donereggaeton.
I wanted to create an album that embodied just how versatile my experience in music has been.
Baile Con Mi Ex is my favorite song.
Its a song I first heard in English, which was written for a male artist.
Lots of the men I know were like, A girl cant sing that.
I was like, But why?
I was like, Ah, funny, youre practicing your Spanish.
He was like, No, no, no.
Dancing With My Ex in Spanish.
I was like, Lets go.
On Looking Forward
Whos one artist, dead or alive, youd love to collaborate with?
On the English side, Im obsessed withGiveon.
I would geek out if I ever got to do something with him.
Id also love to do something with Bruno Mars.
I would catch a grenade for him.
Id love to do something withNormani.
Shes just a badass.
Whats a song that should play at your wedding and one that youd want played at your funeral?
Oh my God, this is so sad and totally up my alley.
At my funeral, definitely Dolores.
Bring out the violins.
Its like if Mayores and Fulanito had a baby.
Thats my wedding party song.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onMay 13, 2022
