(L-R) Farina and Arcangel
Mauricio Candela/Wildhouse Pictures
Earlier this year, Farina dropped the Arcangel-assisted “La Boca,” a catchy reggaeton song that was born almost two years ago and marked the beginning of her joint EP with the Puerto Rican artist, out Thursday (April 22).
Dubbed FloWres, the album is home to six tracks, including sultry traps (“Comas y Ceros”), Latin R&B (“Pegate”), and even malianteo (“Montoya”), to name a few.
“Every song is so different,” Farina tells Billboard. “We hit the studio to work on one song, but our chemistry and energy were so beautiful that we ended up doing seven songs, one of which we saved for another project.”
Initially, the project was slated for a 2020 release but was pushed back because of the pandemic. After working for a year and a half on the tracks and a music video for each, Farina admits that the toughest part was picking a name. “We had so many!”
FloWres, a play on the word flowers, is much more than a thing both artists have in common.
“We’re at a special moment in our careers where we’re flourishing as people and artists,” the Colombian rapper says. “I love flowers because, for me, they represent life, women, and a fanbase that I’ve been able to grow and nurture for a long time now. I know Arcangel feels the same. So what better title than this one that’s relatable and universal?”
But not everything has been color de rosas, per se.
In March, nearly a month after he teamed up with Farina on the provocative “La Boca,” Arcangel took to Instagram to share his thoughts on what makes a woman respectable. “You want to be respected as a woman blah blah blah! But you spend your time showing your ass on social media for likes,” he wrote on his IG stories. “Women who behave distinguish themselves and are categorized as ladies.”
As a result, his fellow artists, including Anitta, Cazzu, Becky G and Kali Uchis, were quick to clap back, all calling out the double standards of men in the music industry.
“I have never doubted Arcangel and I never doubted releasing the EP,” Farina chimes in on the controversy. “This is the first time that a woman and a man have come together to make such a project. He has been a gentleman to me and I have nothing bad to say about him.”
In fact, the urbana singer has nothing but gratitude for Arca.
“He’s so incredible and confident, and he simply says what he thinks. That’s what I admire the most about him,” she adds. “I’m very confident, especially when it comes to my talent, but having him around only triples my confidence. He’s very positive and innovative. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Up next, both Farina and Arcangel have all the desire in the world to tour together and present this album to their fans. For now, she hints at major collaborations and a studio album that will soon see the light.
As for one day doing a joint album with a fellow Latina? Farina did not hesitate to say, Natti Natasha.
“We have a beautiful connection and we’ve been friends for such a long time,” she says. “We think the same and doing something with Natti would be a badass fusion.”