Renata Flores, the Quechua indigenous woman who sings trap as a message of empowerment

In Quechua language and with a fusion of Andean music and urban rhythms such as the Peruvian trap Renata Flores vindicates her indigenous identity, sings of freedom and female empowerment, which led her to be considered by the magazine Hello! as one of the 100 most influential Latina women of 2021.

A girl appears on stage dressed in fragments of the traditional Peruvian costume that combines with black leggings and brand-name white high-platform tennis shoes. In the background the sounds of samplers Electronic notes are mixed with the notes of the panpipe, a wind instrument native to the Andes mountain range.

The singer is Renata Flores, a 20-year-old girl who fuses the traditional culture of her country with rap, trap and reggaeton. The lyrics of his songs cause surprise for the public gathered at the Musical Forum of the International Book Fair (FIL) of Guadalajara, which this year has Peru as the guest of honor.

In Quechua, one of the 47 languages ​​of his country, Flores says in his songs that he wants to dream and laugh “qam hina” (like you), defends the right to education and non-discrimination, narrates the exploits of the women who defended the Inca people from the conquerors and also those who were part of the independence. From that country that this year celebrates 200 sovereignty.

Before going on stage, the young woman, considered one of the 100 most influential women of 2021 by Hola! Magazine, told Efe that his music wants to rescue his mother tongue, less and less used by young people.

“I want children and young people to listen to the traditional language, there are many who are losing this identity and this pride in feeling the music in Quechua because their parents do not speak it, my parents did not practice with me and I was curious to know what they said between them”he said in an interview.

While the young woman moves on stage and makes the gestures and grimaces that any singer would make when rapping, the spectators below look on with surprise and a certain satisfaction.

Javier Andrade, a young student, dances to the rhythm of the so-called “inca trap” and the voice of Flores. He tells Efe that although it is the first time he has listened to it and he does not know the lyrics, he managed to “connect” with his music.

Sandra Cervantes carries a bag with books and watches the recital in silence, but with attention. Flores’ proposal seems “interesting” but “risky” because he considers that it is not easy for people to accept music such as rap sung in an indigenous language.

A musical life

Renata Flores grew up between music and her mother’s activism Patricia rivera, who directs the Surca Cultural Association in his native Ayacucho where he works for the development of children and young people through artistic projects. There he forged his voice and also his interest in knowing and defending social issues.

Since adolescence, Flores has written her own songs. His inspiration has been the American singer Nina Simone. In addition to the indigenous culture, the young singer wants to convey the idea that women can have a space in any area.

“We continue to struggle with this because unfortunately we do not see a very significant change, there are still not many opportunities for us and that is a constant struggle, we must be united to achieve a real change and that is also why I decided to give a little of my music and talk about these issues “he explained.

The singer is confident that her generation is the last in which discrimination has a place.

“Many of us are leaving behind the prejudices of the language, of who we are and that we feel identified with where we come from, with our roots and ancestors because we already know more, that knowledge that they have hidden or belittled us for a long time”, concluded.

The singer is promoting her new material, Isqun, which in Quechua means number 9, the “mirror of the soul,” with which she hopes to make her first tour in Latin America in 2022. (I)