WATCH – Anthony Ramos: A Musical Journey of Identity and Celebration

Anthony Ramos, the Grammy Award-winning artist, has released his highly anticipated new single “Se Fue” and LATV had a one-on-one interview with him. With a remarkable career, Ramos is a true tour de force in the entertainment industry. Born and raised in Brooklyn, with Puerto Rican-American heritage running through his veins, he has consistently captivated audiences with his unique blend of talent, charisma, and cultural pride.

Ramos recently dropped “Se Fue,” a track that is making waves not only with its infectious melody but also with its deeply personal and bilingual lyrics. A multi-hyphenate talent, Ramos effortlessly weaves between English and Spanish over Nuyorican soundscapes that exude the fiery spirit of reggaeton and hints of soulful R&B. This fusion of genres and languages is emblematic of his artistic evolution and commitment to breaking boundaries, creating music that resonates universally while staying true to his roots.

In a recent PR release, Ramos eloquently reflects on his musical journey, speaking about his connection to Latin music and its profound influence on his creative expression. He shares memories of his mother playing salsa legends Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, and Marc Anthony in their Brooklyn home, igniting his love for the art form. He also recalls his affinity for reggaeton pioneers like Tego Calderón and Tony Dize, as well as the freestyle movement led by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, which left an indelible mark on his musical DNA.

Ramos’s deep connection to his heritage and the unique experience of being a Latino from New York drives his exploration of identity and cultural significance. He describes his music as a “homecoming,” a way to pay homage to his roots and the vibrant tapestry of sounds that has shaped his artistic journey. This sentiment is particularly resonant as Ramos reflects on his relocation from his native New York to Miami at the end of 2021. The change of scenery sparked a newfound flow of creativity, allowing him to experiment and flourish in the studio, resulting in a unique sound that seamlessly merges languages and genres.

“Se Fue” is more than just a song; it’s a celebration of resilience and empowerment. Ramos masterfully navigates the emotional landscape of heartbreak, infusing the track with a sense of liberation and triumph. The song’s stripped-down vocals and stark piano pave the way for an anthemic chorus in Spanish, backed by a reggaeton beat and triumphant horns. Ramos explains that the track is a departure from the expected, as it embraces the unexpected joy that can arise from moving on from a difficult situation.

In a world where music transcends borders, languages, and genres, Anthony Ramos stands at the forefront of innovation and cultural fusion. His journey is one of self-discovery, evolution, and celebration, making “Se Fue” a must-listen track that encapsulates the essence of his musical legacy.

Anthony Ramos Releases Bilingual Song “Se Fue” in Talks With LATV

Question: The song is hot. It’s a summer bop, and it’s the future. Where did the idea come from?

Answer: I was in a long relationship, and unfortunately, it ended. It was a really rough time. But I was like, yo, what if we made a song about a breakup that feels like a celebration, though? What if we make a song that will get people so hyped, you have a whole club, at least half that club broke up with somebody. Whether it was somebody that was with for a long time, somebody that was with for a week, they all got, whether it was a situation ship, whatever it is.  There’s a few people in that club that broke up. What if you just wrote this celebratory anthem?

Question:  Anthony, I was saying that the song is the future because when I was listening to the beat, it gave me tropical vibes.  So you also mentioned “Suavemente” and how you took inspiration for that. Also, it’s bilingual, and I’m like, when have you ever heard tropical music if we would want to label it that? But bilingual. So it’s just like nostalgia, modernized. This is a push for the future, right? Our music.

Answer: I think so. You know, I think the only person I could think of that has been doing it for years really like that is Pitbull. Pitbull has been the only one going in and out of English and Spanish and his songs. And doing all these different types of genres, mostly electronic and pop with Latin flavor. I think that now we’re in a time where I think the world is embracing the fact that we can do whatever we want with music. Guys are singing in their native language and singing in English. People are putting out French records, people are putting out foreign languages, it’s not either just English or Spanish. Especially in the US, you know. It’s really special when you see the charts looking like Burnaboy, Bad Bunny, and Beyond Thing. These are all people from very different places. Anitta, singing in English, singing in Portuguese, singing in Spanish, she’s doing whatever she wants. So it’s dope to see that that’s happening more and more music.

Question:  We hear you talking Spanish in the song and a couple of your other ones before, but did you speak Spanish growing up? Is that a language you felt comfortable with? 

Answer: No, I didn’t speak Spanish growing up. I started learning as an adult. I was hanging out, I was going to Puerto Rico, and I was starting to travel a little more. And I was just like, yo, I don’t want to be in a place where I can speak English, I choose to speak English because I can articulate myself the best in English. But it feels good to be able to go to Spanish-speaking countries and not feel scared anymore.

Question: I wanted to open a little window into your childhood a little bit and your New Yorkan experience as it relates to Spanish. I’m Mexican American, and in the Mexican community, when you’re a first or second generation, and you don’t grow up speaking Spanish, they call you pocho. But they also can call you no sabo kids. Don’t call me that. Was it expected for you as a New Yorkan to speak Spanish, or was it found upon when you didn’t grow up in New York? 

Answer: I think both. It’s found upon you, especially the older people, ‘Why don’t you don’t speak Spanish.’ You adapt to wherever you grew up. I can’t speak in Spanish, so you go ahead and try to do that. Most artists can’t, so that’s why I don’t feel any type of way about that thing no more. I used to feel bad about it, but I’m like, yo, you are who you are. You express yourself the way you do. And then you start to learn. You start to expand in your life. And you take everybody has their own journey in life on finding their own culture. I think growing up in New York depends on where you grew up. I didn’t grow up being around people who were speaking Spanish all the time. I was listening to Spanish music later on. When I was a teenager, I started listening to Zion & Lennox and all these guys. Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam, when all these guys were first starting out and starting to get mainstream in New York. So I caught it late. Even going to Puerto Rico, I wasn’t even taking frequent trips to PR growing up because I just didn’t have the money. I wasn’t immersed in my culture all the time. I was listening to hip-hop. I was listening to reggae. I was chilling with Duto from Haiti, from Trinidad, not just Latinos. And even the kids who were Latino were listening to 50 Cent, listening to Biggie Smalls. I then listened to Marc Anthony and Tito Rojas. My mom didn’t teach me that stuff, so I had to look for it on my own. No one was listening to Spanish music in my house. As an adult, I had to make the decision, ‘Do you wanna live the rest of your life not speaking Spanish at all?.’ So I started working on it.