Amsterdam might not be one of the first places that come to mind when thinking about Latin rap. It might not be one of the first places that come to mind when thinking about music in general. Colombian-Italian rapper and artist—and sometimes actor—Mariposa is looking to change that with the release of her latest single, “Mentiras.”
Mariposa, whose name translates to butterfly in English, started releasing music just over two years ago and garnered an audience in her home country, the Netherlands. But her music shares more similarities with mainstream trap music heard here in the US. Travis Scott, in particular, comes to mind, whether it be the production or the heavy use of reverb. In what might be the most significant shift she’s undertaken, she adopts a darker image, holding a bleeding heart on the cover and dispelling the dishonesty she’s encountered.
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Typically sporting bright colors and butterflies, her Britney Spears meets riot grrrl aesthetic works surprisingly well on a track she makes all her own. Beginning with a drowned-out guitar strumming, it quickly gets overpowered by a domineering trap beat, giving Mariposa room to fire more rapidly than expected in the brief runtime. She doesn’t overstay her welcome, clocking in at two minutes and spitting more lines than other Latin trap contemporaries could fit in given the same amount of time.
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Above all else, she’s concerned with communicating her truth and finding resonance amongst others raised against similar challenges. A fan of all things 2000s, the “hyperactive weirdo,” as she describes herself, rips straight from personal experiences and first-hand encounters. And no matter the creative field, the in-your-face and eclectic approach to music, not to mention being a fully independent musician, is something that will make Mariposa appeal to audiences in the Netherlands and overseas.
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Words: David Sosa
“Mentiras” by Mariposa is out on all streaming services. For more on new music and a potential project, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
