Grammy-nominated Edgar Barrera wishes to be a pioneer for Latin songwriters

Mexican Composer Edgar Barrera Makes Grammy History With Third Songwriter Nomination

Edgar Barrera, the acclaimed Mexican composer and producer, stands on the precipice of making Grammy history as he receives his third consecutive nomination for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical. Having been nominated in all but one year since the category’s 2023 introduction, Barrera could become the first Latino artist to win in this prestigious general field category at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

“To open the door for the new generations and the Latin composers who are making music,” Barrera told The Associated Press in a recent video interview. “It takes away that stigma that you have to write songs in English or that you have to do things a certain way to be considered.”

The nomination adds to Barrera’s already impressive career achievements, which include 29 Latin Grammy Awards and a Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album. His latest recognition highlights his versatility across Latin music genres, from contemporary Mexican music with Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera’s “Me Jalo” to pop collaborations like Shakira’s “Soltera” and Karol G’s fusion-inspired “Milagros.”

Barrera credits his wide-ranging musical abilities to his natural hyperactivity. “I get bored very quickly, sometimes when I’m making a certain rhythm or working on a sound constantly. I can’t spend more than two weeks doing the same thing,” he explained. “For me, I don’t want it to become like a factory.”

His creative process prioritizes bringing out the best in each artist rather than adhering to specific rhythms or genres. Currently splitting his time between various high-profile projects, Barrera spoke from Texas where he was working with Colombian artist Silvestre Dangond. Before that, he had been in Hermosillo, Mexico, recording approximately 20 songs with Carín León for the artist’s upcoming album.

Grammy week represents a particularly intense period for Barrera, who frequently capitalizes on the concentration of music stars in Los Angeles to schedule recording sessions. “I have a lot of sessions in the middle of all this Grammy chaos,” he noted.

Despite the pressure, Barrera maintains a relaxed approach to his creative process, preferring to work with friends in a laid-back environment. “When I enter the studio I want to laugh with the musicians and have a good time,” he said. “And in the end, when there is an hour left before the end of the session, we write the song and record. I love that style of work.”

Among the compositions considered for his nomination, Barrera cites “Me Retiro,” a collaboration between Carlos Santana and Grammy-nominated group Grupo Frontera, as particularly significant. “Carlos has been an inspiration for me for as long as I can remember,” Barrera reflected. “My dad introduced me to music through Santana.”

The collaboration represents a full-circle moment for Barrera, who attended his first concert seeing Santana from the last row with binoculars. Last November, he performed alongside the legendary guitarist at the Latin Grammy Awards and is now working on Santana’s upcoming album.

“I come from a town, a city, where being a composer is not a job, and it wasn’t even in my plans to be what I’m doing,” Barrera said. “I’m going with Santana to the studio to continue working on more music and for me it’s a dream. I can’t believe it.”

Working with powerhouse Latin artists like Shakira and Karol G has been equally rewarding for Barrera. He helped facilitate an unusual collaboration between Karol G and Marco Antonio Solís for “Coleccionando Heridas” from her Grammy-nominated album “Tropicoqueta” and collaborated with Shakira on her hit “Soltera.”

“I really like working with artists like them, who are very passionate and who are also great representatives of Latin music,” said Barrera. “They are one of the toughest artists we have in Latin America.”

Looking ahead, Barrera plans to expand his horizons with Anglo artist collaborations, though he remains cautious about revealing specific names. “I’ve learned that what they are looking for from me is that Latin sound, that sound that I know how to do and that I like to do,” he explained. “To be myself in the sessions and flow with them, and not try to be maybe an American producer.”

The Grammy-nominated producer has also expressed interest in venturing into country music, specifically hoping to work in Nashville. “I would like to go to work, to look for inspiration and muse, from scratch, in Nashville,” he said, highlighting his continuous desire to explore new musical territories.

As the Grammy Awards approach, Barrera’s third nomination not only celebrates his personal achievements but also represents a significant milestone for Latin music in mainstream American recognition.