Renata Flores Rivera is paving the way for a new generation of Quechua-speaking artists, creating empowered pop music that pays tribute to her Andean culture.
At the age of 14, Renata Flores became a pop music Quechua-singing sensation. Born in Ayacucho, the young teen never imagined that a YouTube video of her singing “The way you make me feel” by Michael Jackson, in Quechua, would reach more than one million views.
Since then, the young artist has produced multiple Quechua covers of popular songs, including Roxanne by The Police, and participated in the Peruvian version of the reality show The Voice Kids.
Renata also creates her own music, fusing traditional Andean instruments with contemporary pop and urban beats. She released her first single, Qawachkanchik chay Killallat (Looking at the same moon), on International Women’s Day in 2008.
“I sing in Quechua as a voice of alert, since the language is getting lost. Children and young people are ashamed to talk about it, they think that only the poor of the Andes speak it,” said Flores, according to El Comercio. Out of Peru’s total 30 million inhabitants, 3.6 million speak Quechua and most of them reside in the Peruvian Andes.
In 2018 she released another single, Tijeras, a Quechua trap song that rallies women of all ages to speak out against the impunity of feminicides and violence against women.
According to a recent profile in The New York Times, Renata’s first full-length album, Isqun, (meaning nine in Quechua), is set to be released this year. The nine songs will speak of the women’s experiences throughout time in Peru, including the Spanish conquest.
For now, she is using her YouTube page to teach Quechua by translating popular songs like I Like It by Cardi B, J Balvin and Bad Bunny.
Cover photo: Renata Flores Rivera Facebook Page
Now that you're here:
We're asking you, our reader, to make a contribution in support of our digital guide in order to keep informing, updating and inspiring people to visit Peru. Why now? In our near 20-year journey as the leading English-language source on travel in Peru, we've had our fair share of ups and downs-but nothing quite like the challenges brought forth in the first quarter of 2020.
By adapting to the changing face of the tourism and travel industry (on both local and international levels), we have no doubt we will come out stronger-especially with the support of our community. Because you will travel again, and we will be ready to show you the best of Peru.
Your financial support means we can keep sharing the best of Peru through high-quality stories, videos and insights provided by our dedicated team of contributors and editors based in Peru. And of course, We are here to answer your questions and help whenever you need us.
As well, it makes possible our commitment to support local and small businesses that make your visit an unforgettable one. Your support will help the people working in these industries get back on their feet once the world allows us to make our dream of enjoying everything Peru has to offer a reality again-from its mouthwatering gastronomy, thriving Amazon and archaeological wonders such as Machu Picchu.
Together, we will find a way through this. As a member of our community, your contribution, however big or small, is valuable.
Support Traveling & Living in Peru from as little as $1 - and it only takes a minute. Thank you!
