Interviews

Published on May 19th, 2024 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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Nemesis of Pure Order on Revolutionary Single “Mi Fiesta” Ft. Voces del Silencio

In April 2021, Bogotá erupted in protest. After years of austerity, inequality, and official malfeasance, Colombians refused to be silenced. Instead, they took to the streets and made their discontent audible. Even a change of government hasn’t slowed down the demonstrations. Instead, ordinary Santafereños — residents of Colombia’s beautiful, unique capital city — have let those in power know that they’re being watched and that oppression will not be tolerated. Adding her voice is Nemesis of Pure Order.

Support from Southern California

Three thousand miles to the north, allies in Southern California heard the voices of Colombians and pledged their support. Rapper Nemesis of the incendiary Hip Hop group Pure Order recognized the Latin American dissidents as fellow travelers. She understood that Bogotá faces many of the same challenges that Los Angeles does: Abuse of power, poverty, discrimination, lack of opportunity, and a lack of love. Yet in keeping with the relentless positivity of her rhymes, her response wasn’t acrimonious. Instead, she composed her verse to “Mi Fiesta” — and shared this slamming Yodaroc beat with Niclasz and Rapsodika of the Colombian rap group Voces del Silencio.

A Revolutionary Single

The result is a one-off single that feels like part of a sustained revolution: a party song designed to quicken the pulse of marchers and protesters around the globe. Some of the verses are in English and some are en Español, but the fundamental message of solidarity, self-respect, and belief in people’s power comes through in any language. Producer Yodaroc’s track fuses the celebratory quality of contemporary Colombian pop with the urgency and drive of Los Angeles underground rap and the directness of Midwestern Hip Hop. If Nemesis, Niclasz, and Rapsodika sound absolutely at home on this beat, that’s because it’s theirs by birthright.

Unity Through Music

It also testifies to their willingness to listen to each other and find common ground. Dro Smoke’s explosive animated clip for “Mi Fiesta” could be set in Colombia, in Oxnard, California, or in any barrio where oppression can’t stop the party. It’s a glorious day on the street, and kids are playing in the sprinklers, brass bands are blaring in the middle of the road, sparklers are lit, flags and banners are waving, and rappers are onstage speaking truth to power. Could the authorities ever hope to contain this collective energy? They could — if they heeded the will of the people. But shut it down? Never.

Nemesis weighed in on her influences, being aware and her hopes for the impact of her music.

Who are among your biggest music influences?

Too many for this to be a fair question lol..but..Michael Jackson, Prince, Missy Elliott, MC Lyte

How do you approach writing solo music compared to when you write music as a part of a group like Pure Order?

When I’m doing a solo project, I feel more in tune to my own unique voice and a drive to amplify it with freeness, specifying the vibe I want for the beat I’m using with more indulgence. It’s a chance to expand as an artist by getting to know myself better as an artist. My approach is more meditative and whimsical when I’m doing my project.

Did you have any fears that writing a song in Spanish might isolate your English-speaking fans, or did you expect it to open their eyes to more Latin-style music?

I was excited to show my deeply rooted-love for Latin culture globally. I have many Latin family members and grew up in neighborhoods of Hispanic families that became my family so I loved the opportunity to collaborate with my Colombian family Voces del Silencio. I knew “Mi Fiesta” would be embraced by Latin music fans due to the skill of VDS and the music that inspires dance.

I knew that English-speaking fans would appreciate the arrangement with English and Spanish lyrics interchanging frequently allowing them to enjoy the lyrical concept and flow in English while appreciating the cultural diversity shown in the blending of our voices.

Can you tell us about the protests that inspired you to write “Mi Fiesta”? How did you come to work with Voces Del Silencio

At the time VDS and I decided to make “Mi Fiesta” there was serious civil unrest in Colombia due to oppression from the government and police forces. VDS informed me that the streets were at war day and night. And that the authorities were not able to be trusted with the people’s safety. Everyone’s life was in their own hands! It’s under these conditions that VDS scraped together their weekly earnings and made their way to the studio to record. That situation inspired us to create a song about the joy of escaping into our music despite the danger and hardships life brings us and other innocent people. We had to fight for the right for our lives to be OUR party.

We discovered each other on social media around 2013 and quickly became supporters and friends. Soon after we swore to collaborate no matter what difficulties would come from the geographical distance and language barriers we faced. For those reasons and setbacks due to VDS’ work being affected by the civil war, the making of “Mi Fiesta” took from 2017 til it’s release date in March 2024, to complete.

Which line from “Mi Fiesta” resonates the most with you personally?

“We are much more than figures, we are subversive minds.”-Rapsodika

What was the collaboration like to create the “Mi Fiesta” music video with Dro Smoke?

Working with Dro was a precise and creatively fast-paced experience. I chose to work with him on this because I’m familiar with his ability to lock into a creative concept and enhance the vision I convey to him. His professionalism and style made this project exhilarating to work on with him.

What can your listeners here in the United States do to help and stand in solidarity the protestors?

There are so many civil wars going on all over the world and all lives in danger are precious. We have to come to a personal understanding of what treatment we are individually willing to accept as well as evaluate how we are treating others. From alignment to that fundamental truth, we can each find brilliant ways to promote peace. We must be at peace individually before we can be anyone else’s hero. I hope “Mi Fiesta” ‘s message of claiming our right to enjoy our lives at any socioeconomic level resonates with this fundamental concept of peace within, and then peace all around us.

What can we look forward to next from you?

I have several anticipated projects featuring many hip hop legends one album being produced by Evil Dee, and another produced by Crate Diggers Palace legend Oh No the Disrupt aka Doctor No! and others!

I have an album with my duo Pure Order produced by Doctor No! that will be announced this summer as singles from this album entitled “Sword of Infinite Sands” continue to be revealed currently.

I have appearances lined up in NY and Los Angeles all through summer. I always look forward to getting to express my art form live!

Follow Nemesis

Bandcamp | youtube.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image: Nemesis – Facebook – Photo Credit @the6thtrumpet

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.

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