iLe and Ivy Queen Ship “Algo Bonito” Feminist Music Video

There is a scene within the music video for iLe and Ivy Queen’s single “Algo Bonito,” launched on Mar. 2, the place iLe stares down three nameless males in a western standoff vogue. Wearing all black, her arms holstered on her hips, she dispatches all three con solo una mirada. It is develop into clear that, whereas iLe’s music has all the time been a medium for her progressive and feminist values, the observe off her newest album “Nacarile” is not pulling any punches. As she tells hollywoodnewsflash.us, “Las mujeres están hartas.” Translation: ladies are fed up.

In accordance with the singer, it was this patriarchal frustration that turned the seed from which “Algo Bonito” would sprout. “I used to be simply feeling pissed off with the day-to-day of being a lady,” iLe says. ” there have been so many issues taking place that simply had me feeling this sense of rage. The idea for the track actually got here out of desirous to vocalize that.”

That want to “desahogar” or let all of it spill out is comprehensible. Over the previous few years, ladies world wide have seen their rights and security come below assault. Whether or not it was the criminalization of abortion in several states and countries or the minimal gains in wage equality, it is irritating and disappointing to comprehend you are still combating the identical fights you have been many years in the past, and, in some circumstances, shedding floor. That is very true in iLe’s native Puerto Rico, the place, in 2021, the government declared a state of emergency due to increases in femicide and gender-based violence. However since then, regardless of continued strain from activist teams throughout the island, the stark actuality stays: women are not safe in Puerto Rico.

“It is unhappy and upsetting that they do not appear to care,” the singer says.

However quite than simply settle for a nonresponse as a response, iLe determined to vent and shake the pot much more with a track aimed proper on the root of the difficulty: the patriarchy. This is not the primary time iLe has used her artwork and platform to name consideration to the risks of patriarchal norms. Her single “Temes” (TW: video accommodates depictions of sexual assault) is a cerebral takedown of gendered energy dynamics and poisonous masculinity that asks the easy query: “Why do you worry me?” However “Algo Bonito” is a special beast.

Quite than opening with the mushy riff of a guitar, the track opens with a refined but thudding dembow rhythm. The singer created the skeleton of the bassline herself utilizing audio creation software program earlier than sending it off to longtime collaborators Ismael Cancel and Trooko (Jeffrey Penalva) in order that they might add their little “toquesitos (touches).”

“I wished it to sound like a march,” recounts the singer. With the percussive parts in place, iLe had the right canvas to put in writing a rousingly feminist name to arms. It was then that the primary inklings of a collaboration began to take root. Nevertheless it was her brother and fellow musician, Gabriel Cabra Joglar, who first instructed the thought of bringing in “La Caballota,” the legendary Ivy Queen. However whereas now it looks like a no brainer, iLe admits she was a bit intimidated at first.

“It may be unusual to work with somebody you admire a lot,” she says. At a latest present the singer opened up about how, as one of many solely ladies within the early reggaeton scene, Ivy served because the mannequin for a refrain she would write a track on Calle 13’s acclaimed debut album. The track, “La Aguacatona” could be the world’s introduction to iLe’s distinctive artistry. But, regardless of this connection, the 2 artists had by no means met earlier than, which solely added to the strain of securing the function.

“I believed, ‘What if she does not just like the track,’ or ‘what if she does not suppose I am cool sufficient,'” iLe remembers with some amusement. “Nevertheless it turned out nice. She ended up loving the track as quickly as she heard it.”

With the collaboration set and each verses recorded, the 2 icons met for the primary time whereas filming the video. Directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker Claudia Calderon and that includes an all-woman crew, the video makes use of a minimalist method with hints of magical realism, contrasting the stark figures of iLe and Ivy towards surreal backdrops.

This excessive distinction model completely enhances the singers’ defiant lyrics as they flip patriarchal turns of phrases into affirmations of female empowerment:

Cada vez que tiran los canones/se pone pesado mi artillería

Todo que me ataca lo devoro/como leona de caceria

Ya me tienen las huevas hinchadas/si protesto me llaman subversivo

Y se que me rabia te incomoda/ porque me prefieres compasiva

And relating to taking the patriarchy to job, iLe could not have chosen a greater accomplice than Ivy Queen. Over a profession that has spanned many years, Ivy Queen has not solely held her personal in a style dominated by the male voice and gaze, however she additionally helped form it. By no means one to carry her tongue, iLe knew that an Ivy Queen function meant “La Diva’s” biting lyrics and lots of flows could be on full show.

“I informed her simply to say it how she wished to say it, and if we would have liked to vary one thing or dial one thing again we might have that dialog later. However as soon as I heard the verse, it was clear that from the start [the feature] might have solely been her.”

It is true. There is just one Ivy Queen. However there may be additionally just one iLe. And with “Algo Bonito,” they’ve proven us what occurs when two forces in Puerto Rican music and tradition come collectively to have a good time their energy, bond over their shared experiences, and encourage the following technology to proceed the combat regardless of the typically irritating setbacks.

“The patriarchy impacts us all. And typically it is arduous to make progress as a result of it is so entrenched — ladies may also unfold patriarchal concepts,” says iLe.

However on the finish of the day, she is aware of that the one solution to transfer ahead is by not accepting the setbacks and to maintain knocking on the door till she hears “algo bonito.” So, what is the “one thing fairly” iLe is ready to listen to? “Oh, so many issues. That abortion will probably be legalized and that we get the respect and empathy that we deserve.”