Forged between the fields their dad and mom labored and the California streets that noticed them develop up, Special Key It is born from a historical past of migration, effort and reminiscence. His music is the echo of a heritage that crosses borders: that of the ranch and the town, custom and reinvention, Mexico and the United States dialoguing in the identical voice.
In this intimate discuss, the group appears again to perceive the current. They speak about household as a root, work as a compass and music as an act of belonging. Clave Especial not solely sings modern corridos; narrates the expertise of a technology that transforms the previous into identification and sound into future.
The three grew up right here, in California, with Mexican migrant dad and mom who started working within the fields. What did you be taught from them rising up?
Basically, all of us grew up in California, in Salinas. We had a reasonably typical childhood. I grew up on a cul-de-sac, so our life was driving bikes, taking part in cops and robbers, that sort of factor.
The regular factor youngsters do, I assume. But when our dad and mom first got here to America, they labored within the fields, actually harvesting crops. Over the years they acquired higher positions. We noticed how they arrived with nothing, from our ranch—the place we are actually—, emigrated to the United States, began from the underside and constructed a life that allowed us to have a very good childhood.
We had the whole lot we would have liked: training, stability. We stay the so-called “American dream” by means of them. Growing up with him taught us a really sturdy work ethic, the concept of getting forward. They at all times took us to the ranch after we had been youngsters to present us the place we got here from.
It was inspiring to see them rise up on daily basis to work, at all times punctual. That was one thing that was instilled in us from a younger age: work is taken severely, it’s achieved, it’s accomplished nicely.
Did that make you’re feeling a duty to make them proud?
Yes, 100%. We wished to present them that we valued the whole lot they did for us. That’s why all of us went to faculty and acquired a university diploma. For our dad and mom that was the whole lot: emigrating to one other nation, elevating three kids and setting them on the appropriate path.
We wished to present them that we weren’t going to take their sacrifices with no consideration, that we had been going to reap the benefits of each alternative they gave us.
What does your Mexican heritage imply to you? How has it influenced your music?
Being Mexican fills us with delight. We come from a robust tradition: we love meals, music, the whole lot that our nation represents. Being in a position to signify our folks authentically, however placing a spin on it from our expertise as Americans, brings these two cultures collectively.
We not solely signify Mexico, but in addition a brand new technology of immigrants who grew up in a really totally different world. That has at all times marked our music. At household events we listened to banda, mariachi, all that; we stock it in our blood. And after all, rising up in California additionally uncovered us to hip hop, rap, and different sounds that we listened to at school.
But on the finish of the day, Mexican music is who we’re. That’s why we determined to sing like this and make such a music.
What do you’re feeling is the central goal of your music?
Elevate younger folks and anybody who listens to our music. We need them to really feel in good spirits after they put it on, motivated to combat for his or her objectives or just to begin their day.
Many folks write to me when they’re on their manner to work and inform me: “I played Clave, it hits really hard and turns me on.” I believe that represents our music: perseverance, motivation, shifting ahead and having fun with the second.
How does it really feel when buddies or followers inform you that your music helped them or marked them? Can you see its affect?
Of course. Sometimes I want I might specific it higher, nevertheless it means the whole lot to us to know that music connects, that it’s within the streets, that younger folks and individuals are listening to it. That’s why we make music.
We did not begin in search of cash or fame. We did it for the love of the job. Everything that has occurred is, truthfully, a dream come true.
They have had loads of success in a comparatively quick time. How have they assimilated that progress?
It’s humorous as a result of many individuals suppose that the whole lot got here abruptly, however we’ve been making music since 2018. It was seven years of labor earlier than this got here to fruition. Nothing occurred in a single day.
You have to work arduous first in order that issues finally come. We really feel blessed. There was additionally loads of strain: we’re the primary musicians in our household. We felt that we carried the legacy of all of them and we wished to do it nicely.
Now there are a lot of eyes on you. Do you’re feeling like you’re nonetheless adjusting or have you ever been ready for this second for years?
With this chance we felt that we had been, to some extent, ready. We proceed to be taught, however we’ve a really united crew. We surrounded ourselves with household and buddies, with the individuals who had been there from the start.
They additionally really feel a part of the method as a result of they noticed us develop from scratch. In the face of strain, we at all times reply as a crew, as a household. We assist one another on this path.
What have been a few of the most particular moments of this journey collectively? Are there any which have explicit which means to you?
The Billboard Music Awards, indubitably. This 12 months we had 4 nominations. Being in Miami, seeing ourselves on the billboards and having our household see us on tv was unbelievable.
Also that our album reached quantity two on Apple Music Latinwhich is able to exceed two or three billion views. It was our first album, our first expertise with all this, and the response was very important.
The tour was additionally key. It was our first tour and we had solely been within the business for a 12 months or two. Seeing the response from our folks was spectacular. At first there have been nerves, as a result of typically digital numbers will not be mirrored stay, however all of the exhibits had been full, with the viewers singing our songs. It was a really particular second shared with our folks throughout the nation.
How does it really feel to convey a contemporary look to Latin music, combining Mexican and American influences, as well as to being a younger technology?
We live in a brand new period. The sounds evolve quick, the music would not cease. As Mexican Americans, we’re mixing sounds and existence that signify a big a part of the Latino group within the United States.
We by no means go away Mexico apart; our roots are at all times current. It’s about uniting these two cultures and creating one thing new. We are experimenting quite a bit. In the brand new album we’ve been very artistic, however we may also proceed singing corridos, as a result of they’re standard tales which can be a part of our tradition. I believe individuals are going to love what’s coming.
Clave Especial’s new music generates loads of expectations. Which artists do you dream of collaborating with in the future?
Seeing Bad Bunny convey Latin music to levels just like the Super Bowl may be very inspiring. It exhibits how far our music has come. We would additionally love to collaborate with legends who’re nonetheless energetic, akin to Ramon Ayala o The Tigers of the North.
Before closing, what’s your favourite Mexican dish?
My private favourite, I’m Alex, is the candy mole. From childhood.
Leo’s is purple enchiladas and Roger’s is birria.
Finally, what are your goals as a bunch for 2026? What do you hope to obtain together with your music?
Last 12 months our album was quantity two; primary was Bad Bunnywhich is a huge. But this 12 months we’re fine-tuning our sound and creating the album precisely as we envisioned it. We imagine we are able to attain primary.
We already did a tour in theaters; Now we wish to play in greater arenas, in the primary cities. And, above all, keep shut to our group, to the road, to proceed listening to our music in automobiles. I like when I’m strolling and a automotive passes by with our tune taking part in.
At the top of the day, we do it for the folks. We need to stay linked with them and for them to really feel that we’re nonetheless right here, with them.