\"The person who shaped me the most was my father,\" explains Vasquez. \"Dn Porfirio Vasquez was a pioneer in the study of Afro-Peruvian music. He was responsible for some of the first writings about the rhythms of the festejo.\" Vasquez expressed his gratitude towards his father in his composition \"Ritmo de Negros,\" He explains, \"In the song, when I sing, `Papa, papa, papa,\' it is to express the feeling of pride through my music in being his son.\"

When composing, Vasquez often draws upon a dynamic range of Peruvian daily life. \"I wrote the song \"El Alacran\" (the scorpion) when I visited the sugar cane camps that surround Lima and witness the danger of working in this environment.\"

\"Ritmo de Negros\" is the first international release for this Peruvian superstar. In a time when only a handful of artists are composing new landos and festejos, Vasquez proves that the soul of Black Peru is a living tradition. Like no other Peruvian, Vasquez breathes new life into timeless folk songs like \"Samba Malato,\" by throwing in touches of salsa and blues, and some very funky vocals. Today in Peru, many of his compositions such as \"No Valentin,\" \"Ritmo de Negros\" and \"Jipi Jay\" are so popular that virtually every band in the country includes Vasquez covers in their sets. These songs are Afro-Peruvian classics in the making.">

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Pepe Vasquez

Peru

Pepe Vasquez is the leading Peruvian singer and composer of his generation. Read more on Pepe Vasquez...

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