La Zowi. Royalty of Spanish Trap.
Several years have passed since her first single “Ratxeta” was released, showing that with her very strong fan base, La Zowi is not just another single hit wonder.
In January 2020, the Madrid-based artist La Zowi released the mixtape “Elite”, which is her most ambitious work so far. It is a journey through her life and trajectory in the trap game, from a hoe to a boss. Everything about this new project shouts progression, and GATA is hooked.
Featuring neo-trap beats by producers like Zora Jones, Sinjin Hawke and Jam City, and collaborating with Pablo Chill-E on a bonus track, this mixtape consolidates the artist’s evolution while still embodying dirty and provocative lyrics that empower her freedom and sexuality.“Elite” is a full bodied declaration and shows why the artist has been proclaimed the Queen of Spanish Trap.
She has just released her new video for “Full Time“.
If you haven’t heard about her yet, go and meet the boss: La Zowi, puta.
“My shows are pure punk.”
Dubbed the “Mother of Trap”, “Spanish trap queen”, “the Boss”, “Rachet” or “Bitch”...With your own words and for all those people who still don’t know you, who is La Zowi?
LA ZOWI: I would say La Zowi is a Spanish rachet who makes trap music. Although, the term “Spanish” is a lie, because I am originally from France. I don’t know, I don’t think La Zowi is really related to France, but she is very much connected with Spain.I’m a Spanish Icon. I think, unintentionally, besides the music, I represent modern feminism, provocation, and sexual freedom.
How would you describe your music?
LA ZOWI: My music is very conceptual. I do trap, which I would say that sometimes is a little “retarded” because there is no big message behind it, but it is very direct. Trap usually talks about simple things like street life or drugs and is not as philosophical as rap.
I live in Spain and trap is quite new here, people are not used to these kinds of lyrics and sometimes they try to find a meaning behind every song. And honestly, with my music I feel like every song is an idea. For example, songs like “Soy una obra de arte”, “Bitch”, “Gogo”. Each of them tells something about my life.
You are very devoted to your shows. You dedicate a lot of time and effort to make them a provocative bombshell. What happens when you go to watch La Zowi live?
LA ZOWI: My shows are pure punk. I always work with two female dancers that are even crazier than me. I met them one day at a party, I saw how crazy they were and I immediately appealed to them to be part of my show. They had everything I was looking for: attitude. Although they are not professional dancers, their moves are amazing - even better than mine!
You’ve been asked a lot about feminism, the message behind your songs and about the responsibility you have being an icon for the youth. How do you find balance between making your music and the pressure you get from the media regarding these topics? Do you think you have more pressure for being a female trapper?
LA ZOWI: I don’t want to have any responsibility towards the youth or anyone who listens to my music.I am an intelligent and good person, so i think if people are going to remember me it would be for a good reason. A good memory. I believe in myself. But I say it in my songs: “Don’t follow me, I am not a model”.
Music is for enjoyment, not for education. I never think about the repercussions my songs might have. I am not a politician who is preparing a speech, I am an artist who wants to say what I want. The more provocative, the more I like it.
I consider myself a feminist, perhaps more than other women who brag about it, and more than most men. I have more pressure because I’m a woman, yes.
La Zowi, you, along with other artists like Yung Beef, Dellafuente, Khaled, Ms Nina and Ayax y Prok, have put your city, Granada, on the music map and have changed the Spanish landscape. You came, you explored, you made a revolution. What is so special about Granada? Do you think that special place and that special moment had a big influence on these artists?
LA ZOWI: Honestly, I think about that a lot and It’s really curious. I grew up in Granada and I am aware of the magic this city has. It is so unique and special. I guess it has influenced us. It cannot be a coincidence!
“I am an artist who wants to say what I want, the more provocative, the more I like it.”
“I really appreciate the freedom I have right now. I am a girl from the hood, and being able to relax outside and have a normal life is something I won’t ever change for anything.”
La Zowi is underground and you don’t have any interest to embrace the mainstream, at least for now. Growing professionally as fast as you are doing, is it very difficult to not surrender to the Industry?
LA ZOWI: No, you really need to know what you want. For example, I like money and right now I take care of all the money I earn, I manage it and decide what to do with it. It’s like if you can choose between buying a house or getting a mortgage. I’d rather save the money than owe it to anybody. That’s why I am not interested in the mainstream.
Also, I really appreciate the freedom I have right now. I am a girl from the hood, and being able to relax outside and have a normal life is something I won’t ever change for anything.
In previous interviews, you talked about the expiration date of Trap. If this ever happens, what is it next for La Zowi? Are there any other disciplines you would like to explore?
LA ZOWI: I don’t think the trap is gonna expire, but it will change as any other music genre did before. Flamenco music for example has more value as it gets older and classier. Trap, on the other hand, needs to be fresh. The fresher the better.
I’m in that wave, and my music will change with the flow of my life.
Apart from music, I also like directing videos, photo shoots and I love fashion. There will always be other things I like to work in.
La Zowi is “rachet”, and your style is very important. Do you still have full control of your image?
LA ZOWI: Absolutely. Nobody is going to force me to do anything. The only thing still bothering me is that the fashion industry doesn’t pay much attention just because I’m “ratchet”. And I love fashion!
By now, all your work has been released in Spanish, even though you speak other languages. Will we listen to La Zowi singing in French or English in the future?
LA ZOWI: I don’t think I would do a whole song in English as it is not my natural language. It would feel ridiculous. But in French, who knows… :)
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
LA ZOWI: My life, my friends, the street and trap.
What would be your biggest achievement as an artist? Would you like to collaborate with any artists in particular?
LA ZOWI: It is kind of difficult to say it, but I want the people to recognize me and my pureness. I think I am one of the realist artists in Spain because I am true to myself.
Regarding collaborations, there are a lot of artists I would collaborate with, but as in the past, this needs to be in a very natural and organic way, and not be over-thought.
What plans do you have in mind now? What are your dreams?
LA ZOWI: I try not to think too much about the future because it stresses me out. I am a very impatient person and I don’t get along with time very well. But one thing I know is that I want to become better in whatever I do and get everything I want. My dream, as anyone else’s living in a capitalist world, would be to dedicate my life to doing what I like, to earn a lot of money and be “happy”.
Could you recommend GATA any movie that influenced or had an effect on you?
LA ZOWI: I’m really bad at recommending movies because I forget about them and the titles easily. But I love realistic movies like “Christiane F” for example, based on true events. This one shocked me and influenced me a lot.