How Andrés Cepeda Made His Dream of Singing With Celia Cruz Come True | Billboard News
In a recent interview, Colombian singer-songwriter Andrés Cepeda shared his deep connection to his hometown of Bogotá, which serves as both the inspiration and title for his latest album. This album is a heartfelt tribute to the city where he was born and raised, encapsulating the essence of his life experiences and artistic journey. Cepeda expressed his desire to connect listeners to Bogotá through music, aiming to evoke the city’s unique smells, tastes, sounds, and feelings. He believes that art has the power to bridge distances, allowing those who have never visited Bogotá to feel its vibrant culture and spirit. His new single, “Las Pilanderas,” is a cumbia featuring the iconic voice of Celia Cruz, adding a layer of historical significance and emotional depth to the project.
Despite having received 19 nominations at the Latin Grammys throughout his career, Cepeda shared that the thrill of recognition never fades. Each nomination brings a rush of excitement and anticipation, underscoring the collaborative nature of music creation. He acknowledged that these accolades are not solely personal achievements but also a celebration of the entire team behind his work, including producers, musicians, and engineers. This collective effort is what brings his artistic vision to life, and he is grateful for the recognition that shines a light on everyone involved in the process. As Cepeda continues to honor his roots through his music, he invites listeners to join him on a journey through the heart of Bogotá, enriching their understanding of the city he cherishes so deeply.
Andrés Cepeda talks about his tribute to his hometown of Bogotá, Colombia, and how he was recently able to record a song with Celia Cruz.
Andrés Cepeda: Precisely this past week, I just released a song that is a cumbia, which includes the original voice of the great Celia Cruz. It’s a Colombian song called “Las Pilanderas.” How beautiful! Yes, Bogotá. Besides being the title of my album, and the song for which I have three nominations, of which I’m very, very proud, Bogotá is also the place where I was born and grew up. It’s where most of the important stories of my life happened. The key moments in both my personal and professional life are framed within Bogotá. It’s the setting of my best stories. That’s why I decided to create an album in tribute to this city — not only to tell my stories from their roots and origin, immersed in their environment, but also because I have often experienced how literature, music, poetry or even cinema can make you feel connected to cities you’ve never visited. I imagined I could serve as an ambassador for Bogotá in a similar way, offering people who haven’t visited my city an idea of how it smells, tastes, sounds and feels. That’s the idea behind this album that makes us so happy.
It’s funny because one would think that after many nominations, 19 at the Latin Grammys, it would become normal. It doesn’t. It’s still just as exciting every time, still as challenging and it still brings the same anxiety as we wait for the results, whether it’s in Las Vegas or wherever the awards are held that year. You submit your work with so much hope, and every nomination brings immense excitement. Every time I have the opportunity to be nominated or receive several nominations, it’s a moment to celebrate. These achievements aren’t just about the artist or the album, but also recognize the hard work of the entire team, production, publicity, management, guest artists, musicians, engineers and everyone involved. It’s rewarding for all who contributed to making the project a reality.
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