Konstantinos Karakolis
Konstantinos Karakolis
With performances from Los Angeles and Atlanta to Ibiza and Paris, a prestigious Boiler Room set, and a debut mixtape that has spread across numerous corner of the internet, MJ Nebreda isn’t going away anytime soon.
While the Miami-based, Venezuelan-Peruvian artist only started making music a little over three years ago, she brings along an unmatched charm and heaps of infectious energy, redefining latin club music while spearheading its global ascension.
Following a former role in A&R, MJ Nebreda found herself experimenting with Ableton and Splice Beatmaker around the start of the pandemic, an endeavor that quickly led to the release of her first singles. Transitioning from behind the scenes to a well-deserved spotlight, MJ Nebreda has grown into a fully-fledged superstar in 2023, which also marked the release of her debut mixtape, Arepa.
Out via EMPIRE, Arepa Mixtape is an unapologetic and infectious celebration of Latin queer and femme club culture. Features MJ Nebreda as a writer and producer across its all of its 10 tracks, Arepa Mixtape is brought to life by way of a massive cast of guest appearances, among them neoperreo pioneer Ms. Nina, and non-binary, trans Puerto Rican artist Ana Macho, and many more widely celebrated figures.
“I was really just following the flow of where my creative energy was taking me so then I needed to release a project that spoke to my tastes in reggaeton, doble paso and dembow as I’ve been heavily DJing those genres, as well as raptor house, guaracha and cumbia,” explained MJ Nebreda in a press statement to Lucid Monday.
“To me, it’s really special that I get to release projects not only with so many collaborations from great creatives I admire but also one where I had complete creative control on and could sink into any part of it and make it be what I wanted by myself. That’s why I really love producing and writing, because it allows me to feel really connected to the project. It’s always so special seeing something you’ve worked on for a long time be completed and also be able to be heard by anyone in the world!”
Among the tracks on Arepa is the infectious “Teta," which features vocals from Puerto Rican artist, DJ, actress and performer Mussa Medusa, and just received its own music video. Directed by Ana Paula Teixera, a long-time collaborator of Mussa Medusa, the "Teta" music video makes for yet another fine addition to the Arepa Mixtape universe, which includes stunning visuals for “Belmont y el Gloss” featuring La Vanek, “Perreo Oscuro" with La Goony Chonga, “Arepa” with Ms. Nina and INVT, and many more.
“For me it was important that we stay in the direction that all of Arepa Mixtape visually has, which is this moment in time, a celebration, a party. In this particular video it’s us getting ready to go out for a party, which I just think fits perfectly with the videos for ‘Belmont y el Gloss’ and arepa while still having its own distinct feel.”
MJ Nebreda’s work is as impactful as it is sexy, and as impulsive as it is intentional. Weaving in a mix of obscure samples, infectious melodies, and raunchy lyrics, it creates a party atmosphere that aligns with MJ Nebreda’s mission, for everyone around her to be nothing less than their unapologetic selves.
“I would say my style is just me. I think I am constantly in flux searching for a concept, outfit, or general visual identity that makes me feel good and beautiful and just powerful. A lot of what I do is the result of that attempt.”
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Cover photo credit: Ana Paula Teixeira