Ovy On The Drums x Desperados Cheers to Latin Music Culture

Colombian artist, producer, and Latin GRAMMY winner Ovy On The Drums is not your average musician. From working with chart-topping stars like Karol G and Maluma to becoming Desperados‘ new artistic director, he is helming a Latin music revolution.

Known as the king of collaboration, Ovy On The Drums has joined your favorite artists on their trek to the top. While working on his own mixtapes, he has tapped performers from Spain, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia to build powerful melodies and nurture his creative experience.

As Desperados’ new Artistic Director, Ovy On The Drums leads the brand’s latest campaign, “The Beer with Latin Vibe.” For his first project, the artist taps Venezuelan rapper MICRO TDH for an all-new track, “GUAO GUAO.” Used as the hero track for the campaign, “GUAO GUAO” builds on Ovy’s hypnotizing rhythms and signature energetic ballads while upholding LATAM’s high-spirited identity.

We sat down with Ovy On The Drums to learn more about his creative process, the current Latin music landscape, and his new partnership with Desperados.

Hypebeast: How did you first discover your love for music?

Ovy on The Drums: I started my career as a music producer around 13 years ago. I left school and didn’t know what I wanted to do, if I wanted to be a doctor or an engineer. One day, my cousin told me he had a friend who would teach him to make music and asked if I wanted to join him. That day changed my perspective on everything in life because I met this person who taught us to make music; he showed me the program where I make my music today, FL Studio. I felt like I had entered a new world, and he woke me up. Music saved my life because I didn’t have a path to follow, which awakened my artistic vein and made me realize that I was born for this.

What new projects have you been working on recently?

Very important people pass through my life, like Karol G, who has greatly influenced my career. I also had the opportunity to work with Pablo Londra on a lovely project we developed with our record label, Big Ligas. I’m working on my second mixtape with artists from Chile and my third and fourth ones with two Colombian artists.

How do you see the current Latin music landscape on a global scale?

We have seen massive growth in Latin Music over the past three or four years. We have seen more and more Latin songs in the global top 50 charts, which used to be significantly dominated by American artists. Mexico has been very influential, and we have huge names building global influence from Colombia, like Karol G, Feid, Maluma, and Blessd. Every country has its own artists representing their regions globally while also mixing genres with cross-breed collaborations through reggaeton, house, and afrobeat styles.

How did your new partnership with Desperados come about?

When I received the proposal from Desperados, I felt very privileged to be recognized by such a big brand, and it has been fun working with them. The song and video we produced in Portugal was an incredible experience and made me feel grateful for living this experience for the first time.

What was the creative process like behind your new song for Desperados, “GUAO GUAO”?

When we started discussing what we wanted to create, we learned that Desperados wanted a very Latin song with a good tempo and high vibes. I had a recording saved with me, and I contacted MICRO TDH, who had songs I knew would fit the vibe perfectly. I had a song that was already written, and we matched it to the beat I had, and it was a perfect match. It’s a party anthem, exactly what Desperados was looking for.

How would you like to continue contributing to Desperados as their new Artistic Director?

I can give my point of view through a musical perspective on what our next song could be. I am always happy to propose and to innovate with Desperados. We are in a music landscape where we are all creatives, and creativity prevails. I would be thrilled if the opportunity arises for my collaboration with Desperados to continue. The energy and the vibes never lie.