Chilean reggae is everywhere. Back in 2022, Cris MJ's "Una noche enMedellín" became such a huge virus that attracted the eyes of Colombian Perot Queen Karol G, who eventually drafted his remix for him, filling her new life with her blockbuster LP. Tomorrow will be beautiful (Bichota season). MJ once again popped up in last year’s summer smash, “Only Gata Only,” pushing to the stratosphere through rising star Floyymenor and his twist, not numerous sensitive word games, and even landed on President Barack Obama’s famous end-of-year playlist. Although a recent series of chart trustees have attracted industry in the Southern Hemisphere, perhaps the most stable and established talent among Chile’s booming Musicaurbana Zeitgeist is Polimá Westcoast. The natives of Santiago, who have shared signatures from global idols such as J Balvin and Dua Lipa, put the Chilean novelty into the mainstream Reggitton dictionary and a desire to reconnect with his African roots, also inspired curiosity and constant innovation.
Born to Chilean mother and Angora father, Polimá Westcoast recalls songs that were at the earliest nine years old, gradually honing the smooth bar and unique treble wood. He named himself during his infancy at the Chilean Trap Site, released two popular mixtapes in 2018 and found one of his earliest allies in the Shishi Gang Godfather Pablo Chill-e. The subsequent releases were released into Plugg and Electro, in collaboration with other scenes Trailblazer young Cister, NVSCVR and Gianluca, and in 2022 his craziest genre jumps produced the inevitable Reggaeton Anthem, “Ultra Solo,” “Ultra Solo,” and Algonside Rapper Pailita. The song’s sad loneliness helps the introspection of Chile’s reggae island in the new era, while the unusually accelerated beat prompts Latin trap architect Arcangel to suggest WestCoast make it his voice signature.
Despite the Sage Council, Polimá Westcoast is pushing the sound boundaries and his new album, as well as his new album, +QualityHe highlighted his official full-length debut, a dazzling musical world. Throw it back into his lugg nose at the opener of the lugg ram count, “Forever”, dives into the Uber fashion waters of the British garage as “Made in Italy” and provides a cordial hug for Afrobeats on “Z Gen gen gen” with the assistance of Nigerian producer Daramola; +Quality He failed his extremely high ambitions in his title.
Before release, Rolling stones Contact Polimá Westcoast to discuss the tides of Chile's reggae, behind the international production team +QualityAnd many "lost Africans, born on the other side of the world" dream.
How can growing up in a multicultural family shape your path in music?
I grew up with my white (Chile) mother and grandmother, and when my dad left, I lost contact with my family’s African side since I was about four years old. I long to have Africans around me, and even though my mom told me that I had siblings, I didn’t live with them. When I was 15, I followed my siblings through Facebook, and now, we realize our musical dream together. The hardest part is being an African in our racially unprimarily society. It’s very difficult to get people to acknowledge our place because Chile hasn’t developed to the point where they have black people in politics or anything else. But when I reconnected with my siblings, they awakened my side on me, and I understood the colors and textures of my voice and musicality better.
Given the melodic nature of your voice, is it correct to say that ozuna has an effect on your voice?
Not singing directly, but in the emotional theme of my music. Actually, I watched (Nigerian artist) Wizkid and Afrobeats movements, speeding up the pace of "Ultra Solo" to make the rather average Reggaeton track more like myself. I've been writing songs since I was nine or 10, but I'm tired of squeezing lyrics into my instruments, so I switched to a freestyle approach, which is my "Ultra Solo" (feat Pailita), "Baby Otaku", "Baby Otaku" (feat J Balvin) and "Lacone" and "Lacone" (with Mora and Qora and Quevedo). I once watched a documentary by a painter and he said he just threw paint on the canvas until it was done, so I decided to start doing the same thing.
"Ultra Solo" is a game-changer for you and Chilean reggae. What is your career trajectory so far?
My first hit is called "Brokeboi" and comes from a mixtape called Chronicle of Russ (Since 2018), this has brought me some internet reputation. Later on, there was "Te Quieero Ver" (with Ceaese), which featured the rudeer boy Dancehall Vibe, and then "Esto no Es unacancióndeamor" by Gianluca and Young Cister. The success of these songs brought me into the mainstream and got to know my face and voice.
Before "Ultra Solo" took a hit, I met this (Spanish) actor Arón Piper, back to the show Elitehe will play my songs for the actors. His co-star Ester Expósito started sharing my songs on her social events, and “Ultra Solo” ended up gaining popularity in Madrid. I think that's how to get to Dua Lipa, which posted some pictures on Dua Lipa with the title "Ultrasolo" and shared the song in her Instagram story. I recorded this song on Duki's Studio and we should actually link that day, but he had Covid, so he gave me the keys and I participated alone. But the emotions behind "Ultra Solo" are real. My producer and I were frustrated because it was our first time spending Christmas, away from our families, and people associated with this loneliness.
I have long theoretically linked to the paradigm shift in Chile’s trap and the Regden boom. Is this something you see from the inside?
This is true. I mean, folk and independent people are very important to the Chilean audience, artists like Gepe, Fran (Valenzuela), Gianluca, etc., but tempting all different social classes. Everyone consumed it. During El Estallido, people call the trap “real” and we will answer that if they like the degree to which it is, they should fight us on the street. From Providencia to Puente Alto, we have games everywhere and we are in the middle of war. After all, there is a newly discovered friendship. Our fans are close to us and know that if they seek help, we will show up.
Why do you think the Chilean traps and reggae groups resonate with audiences around the world?
The industry draws on new ideas and voices, and Chile offers something new. Our language is very distinctive. "Ultra Solo" has made everyone speed up the reggae, and "My Blood" brings (Andean) folklore into a trap. So, I think we contribute to what hasn't happened yet. Pablo Chill-e, Gianluca and many others brought new ideas to trap and reggaeton, and the international industry saw value in us. One day, J Balvin asked me to send three songs because he wanted to jump on one, which turned into "Baby Otaku". It was another big moment when Karol G loved (Cris MJ’s) “Una noche enMedellín”. Now we draw charts around the world. Competing with Taylor Swift is not easy, but we are here.
There are only two guest features in your new album +Qualityand many reggae tracks. What caused you to completely change the course?
My mom always told me it was about quality, not quantity, which has bothered me throughout the process. I have contributed to my country and I have taken my career to a bigger place, so I want to present a solo album that shows me and my development. There are only two functions, and they both flow naturally. Bavi and I are good friends, and Cro has known me since his career. Last year (Festival) Buenos Aires Trap I dropped those two songs because I wanted to roll with the heavy hitter, but there were only two reggae tracks on the album, the rest went to the Jersey Club, the UK Garage and the Afrobeats.
Who is the producer who helps you achieve it +QualityVarious genres and patterns?
There are a lot of searching for new sounds, so I work with a lot of producers. Taiko from Chile wrote “It’s OK” and he encouraged me to leave the auto-adjustment to highlight the uniqueness of my voice. Jamaican producer is called Izyareyoukiddingme, who made a bunch of Rauw Alejandro, and he helped me dig out African descent on "+ Henny". Working with producers from Africa was very important to me, so for Gen Z, I brought Daramola, who was Nigerian, who helped me dig out Afrobeats. I have also worked with eugenics produced for Lil Durk and Trippie Redd, and we created “Made in Italy” and “Todas Las Chicas Mienten”, which are the main highlights of the record.
Where did your career and the entire adventure make your impact?
I hope my career will take me all over the world. I want my music to be played in Japan. I want to reach Africa and reconnect with my roots. You can even shoot documentaries. I am a lost African born on the other side of the world. I need to stand barefoot on the African continent. I want to see how far a child can go in San Diego independent.