Ivy Queen continues making the rounds with her latest single “Next,” calling out that person who has not been beneficial to her life.
Co-written by Ivy and Peter Nieto, the infectious reggaeton track shares a woman’s perspective after a breakup. “For men, saying ‘next’ is the easiest thing to do but when a woman wants to move on and begin dating, we are judged. That’s why ‘Next’ was born,” she previously told Billboard.
But prior to “Next,” Ivy rose to fame and became a household name with empowering hits such as “Quiero Bailar,” “La Vida Es Asi,” and “Te He Querido, Te He Llorado,” to name a few.
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In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and in celebration of Ivy’s achievements, Ivy opens up in 20 questions. From her Puerto Rican roots to the craziest thing she’s seen at one of her shows and beyond, read them below.
In one word, describe your single “Next.” Powerful.
I love being a woman in the music industry because: I’m the s–t! I’m the boss!
Three best things to do in Puerto Rico? Eat, sleep, and shopping.
What do you love the most about being Puerto Rican? We go all out. We do what we want, we’re very happy people and we genuinely like people.
What song best defines your Puerto Rican heritage? I’ve always felt like a curandera [healer], and believe it or not, the song is “El Yerberito” by Celia Cruz, because I have the remedy that you need with music.
What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium? I bought a couple of cassettes including Wu-Tang Clan and Das EFX. I bought them because I had my boombox and I would go around the hood with my rap music.
What was the first concert you saw? Marc Anthony at a music festival in Puerto Rico.
What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid? My dad was a guitarist and my mom sold candy outside of an elementary school.
Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time? Me!
What’s at the top of your professional bucket list? To get a feature with Missy Elliot.
How did your hometown/city shape who you are? It shaped me to be stronger on my own, because it’s hard when you leave your town and leave everything behind and start from scratch. Añasco, Puerto Rico has very sweet people and many of them don’t dare to follow their dreams and I’m an example for them. We’re helping each other.
What’s the last song you listened to? “Next,” of course!
If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be? Celia Cruz and Guns N’ Roses.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your sets? Do you really want to know? They throw bras at me. I’ve seen intense perreo [dancing] in the crowd.
What’s your karaoke go-to? La India’s “Mi Mayor Venganza.”
What movie, or song, always makes you cry? From El Cantante, when Marc Anthony is performing as Hector Lavoe in the scene where he’s battling with drugs. That scene is tough to watch.
What TV series have you watched all the way through multiple times? The Cell.
What’s one thing that even your most devoted fans don’t know about you? I have told everything to my fans, but I swallow my gum.
If you were not a musician, what would you be? I’d be a musician!
What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self? Go for it! You did it! I’m so proud of you! No advice, I would just congratulate myself.