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Carla Reyna, known better as Niña Dioz, has spent over a decade navigating the turbulence that comes with being a queer female emcee in an overwhelmingly male-and-hetero-dominated industry. Boasting a discography full of songs fueled by political injustice and razor-tongued feminist anthems, Dioz’s newest single epitomizes her unapologetic message and specifically notes her iron-willed resilience against communities bent on crushing her spirit and her career. (TRANSLATED: I am the drop that spilled the glass/A failure didn’t knock me down…You go and question me, point a finger/I move lightly, I do not give a damn/I do what I want, exceeding in style) Joining forces with Colombian artist Lido Pimienta and labelmate singer-songwriter Ceci Bastida, these women have created a bonafide canticle of female empowerment. The catchy cadence of the lyrics of “Tambalea” are laid over minimalist production engineered chiefly by drums both steel and machine. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the flow alone will be stuck in your head through the weekend.
“Tambalea” appears on Reyna, out now via Nacional Records.
-Taylor Wallace// host, Thursdays 8-11P & Saturdays 2-6P; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli
