Oscar Maydon didn’t need a compass to find a new musical direction; All he needed was a jetski, the Miami sun and the desire to let himself be carried away by the current. What began as a season living in front of the sea ended up becoming the inspiration behind Música En Mi Jetski, an album where the Mexican artist leaves behind the sound that made him known to explore a more tropical and urban territory.
Between beaches, parties, new friends and a city that never slows down, Maydon found the perfect setting to experiment with reggaeton, afrobeat, dancehall and tropical music. Along the way he also added voices that enriched that search, with collaborations with J Balvin, Standly, Víctor Mendivil, Jere Klein, Omar Camacho, El Bogueto, Joel Nuñez and Noize, among others, who contribute different influences and nuances to a project designed to cross borders.
In this interview, Oscar Maydon reveals how Miami changed his frequency, what he learned from working with artists from different countries and genres, and why this musical journey is just beginning. Discover how the sea, freedom and new sounds shaped the most risky album of his career.
Música En Mi Jetski is a very clear concept from the title, but how was this idea for the album born and what does this journey that you propose through music represent for you?
It was born because it was something I wanted to do, honestly. You know that reggaeton had a very strong boom in Mexico and has always been present. In years past it was one of the most important genres in the country, so it had always been inside me. I wanted to show that I could do it too, right? That was like the motivation to create this new project.
On this album we are listening to new sounds like reggaeton, pop and other musical rhythms. It’s a comfort zone that you left, because you were used to making totally Mexican music. What did it feel like to step out of that comfort zone and explore new sounds? Were you afraid?
No, it feels really nice. It feels really nice because it’s like when you have a math problem with a very difficult count, but when you manage to solve it and find the result, you feel like you discovered something new about yourself that you didn’t know.
So it feels damn good to have a track and break it, because it’s like a problem that you have to solve, and I really enjoy that process.
Now, consider this question carefully: what came first? The chicken or the egg? Was it first to travel to Miami and be inspired by those rhythms, or to say “I want to make those rhythms” and that’s why you went to Miami?
I wanted those rhythms, that’s why I went to Miami.
And what did you discover? Did Miami meet or exceed your expectations? Did you find new things, more inspiration than you already had? What was that relationship with Miami like?
No, well imagine, it broke all the expectations I had. All, all, all.
Miami is a great city and I met a lot of people, made new friends, discovered new rhythms, new sounds and a lot of inspiration. So, nothing, it was a very good experience.
In addition to new rhythms, the album has very important collaborations such as J Balvin, Standly, Víctor Mendivil, Omar Camacho and El Bogueto. What did you learn from them? Listening to the album you feel a lot of camaraderie, but there is also a lot of learning. Was there ever a moment when you said, “Oh, look, I didn’t know this could be done like that”? What exchange was there between you?
Well, everyone has something different, right? Everyone composes differently, everyone has their own method and I think each one contributes a little something.
I learned a lot about how they write, how they structure songs and how they work. I think we take a little piece of everyone with us and that’s part of the process: learning from people, taking what’s good, leaving what doesn’t work and continuing to grow.
I am like a sponge working with very talented, very successful people. I observe what I like, what I can apply and then I take it to my own songs.
How long did it take to cook a 21 song album?
It probably took me about six months.
During those six months, how did you feel? Did you think it was a long time or a short time? There are artists who take up to two years to release an album.
Yes of course. I feel that urban music for me is something very free, so it flows more.
The corridos have taken me longer because I feel that they have a more marked line, a more defined structure. On the other hand, urban is more about letting whatever comes to you flow, and that’s why it makes it a little easier for me.
For someone who is not used to listening to Mexican music and who has never heard you before, but who comes to this album with this new proposal, how would you invite him to get to know Oscar Maydon in all his facets as an artist?
Well, take the time to listen to my versatility, the different songs and the lyrics. Let him take the time to get to know the project so that he can fall in love with it.
Just as I have my fans and people who have followed my music, I think it’s a matter of more people having the opportunity to listen to it and get to know it. In the end, I feel like people who listen to my music like it, and that’s what’s important.
