Becky G Embraces Urban Roots in New Album and Advocates for Latino Joy

At 29, Becky G has an impressive tenure in entertainment, spanning almost two decades. With her fifth studio album, Baraja Bendita (Spanish for “Blessed Deck of Cards”), she revisits the rap sound that initially captivated her.

Becky G shared her thoughts with Morning Edition, stating, “My urban roots are a part of me. It is how I got signed. It is how I got discovered. It is one of my first loves.” This passion is palpable in her album, particularly in the track “Epa” and its music video, which was filmed at Los Angeles’ iconic El Mercadito.

During the video, Becky G breaks a large block of ice, symbolizing resistance and joy in a time of political tension. She explained, “The song’s chords felt urgent, similar to alarms.” This urgency inspired her to contemplate the need for safe spaces to express creativity. She stated, “We need to keep creating. That’s also part of our resistance.” After the ice breaks, a euphoric joy emerges as everyone dances.

Becky G spoke with NPR’s A Martínez about the inspirations behind Baraja Bendita and her evolution as an artist. She emphasized the importance of preserving spaces for Latino joy.