Because of the crisis that Venezuela has been experiencing for the past few years, many of the country’s artists and producers have been forced to look for a better future outside its borders.
“At this moment Venezuela needs and deserves to be recognized also for its positive side,” says Servando Primera, who through Instagram has honored the work of his fellow composers on a post that he called La Nueva Ola Venezolana (the new Venezuelan wave) which led Billboard to research about Venezuelan songwriters.
Before Nicolas Maduro took over power in Venezuela, it was possible for composers and producers to make a decent living creating music only inside Venezuela. There were enough outlets and artists to support the industry. That’s why the outside world did not know much about them, or at least, not to the level they do now.
“Everything started three years ago,” says Oscarcito (real name Oscar Eduardo Hernández), who is the composer behind “Está Rico,” by Marc Anthony, Will Smith and Bad Bunny. “We were forced to emigrate and take our talent elsewhere,” says Oscarcito, who moved to Miami.
That talent has translated into big hits.
“Venezuelan songwriters have shown to have the talent, the versatility and the sensitivity to write a ballad, venture into the Mexican regional [genre], or break into the urban genre with their mischief and sense of humor,” says Francisco Granados, an A&R Director at Sony ATV who works directly with the new wave of Venezuelan songwriters such as Oscarcito, Mario Cáceres, Servando Primera and Mau y Ricky.
A catalyst for Venezuelan songwriters were the so-called Sony Secret Sessions, which were spearheaded in part by Venezuelan Alejandro Reglero (who is also Mau & Ricky’s brother and son to Ricardo Montaner). The sessions allowed many songwriters and producers who came from Venezuela to craft songs for the hitmaking likes of Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Karol G and Becky G. All told, 12 songs penned by Venezuelans entered Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs year-end chartfor 2018, including Jennifer Lopez’s “El Anillo” (No. 44) “Mi Cama” by Karol G (No. 29), and “Amigos Con Derecho” (No. 81) by Reik and Maluma.
“Having a song on Billboard is a dream for any composer — it is a sign of acceptance by the audience,” says composer Yasmil Marrufo. “Once your name appears on the list, you start receiving calls from companies, from artists, nonstop, everyone wants to work with you.”
“It is common to listen at a repertoire meeting, that both artists and their labels want a song or schedule a songwriting session with these authors that we called ‘Los Avengers,'” adds Granados — who says that the group of Venezuelan composers have given the opportunities to new talents, as in the case of DJDalePlay, who is signed with Warner Chappell.
“I think we should take that good example and begin to recognize our positive side,” concludes Servando Primera. “It is true that there is darkness at the moment but, a spark can light a mountain.”
Check out a list of the latest hit songs written by Venezuelans:
Sofia Reyes feat. Jason Derulo & De La Ghetto, “1,2,3” (Sofia Reyes, Jason Derulo, De La Ghetto, Nicole Zignago, Ricardo Montaner, Jon Leone and Charlie Guerrero)
Reik & Maluma, “Amigos con Derecho” (Julio Ramirez, Maluma, Servando Primera)
Jennifer Lopez, “El Anillo” (Édgar “Edge” Barrera, Andrés Castro, Oscar “Oscarcito” Hernández and Jesús “DalePlay” Herrera)
Maluma, “Felices los 4” (Maluma, Servando Primera, Mario Cáceres and Miky La Sensa)
Karol G, “Mi Cama” (Andy Clay, Antonio Rayo, Karol G, Omar Sabino, René David Cano Ríos)
Becky G & Natti Natasha, “Sin Pijama” (Rebbeca Gomez; Natalia Gutiérrez; Nate Campany; Kyle Shearer; Ramón Ayala; Gabriel Rivera; Ricky Montaner, Mau Montaner, Jon Leone; Camilo Echeverry)
Silvestre Dangond & Natti Natasha, “Justicia” (Roland Valbuena Jr, Mario Cáceres)
Becky G feat. Bad Bunny, “Mayores” (Mario Cáceres, Servando Primera, Saul Castillo, Bad Bunny, Patrick Ingunza)
Thália feat. Natti Natasha, “No Me Acuerdo” (Oscar Hernández, Mario Caceres, Jon Leone, Frank Santofimio and Yasmil Marrufo)