La Nación / Musikarios, the phenomenon of reggaeton in the Guarani language

jorge zarate, jorge.zarate@nacionmedia.com – Photo: AFP and courtesy

His presence on social media continues to grow, thanks to his witty native-language versions of current topics. He has achieved international resonance, mainly in Spain, where he migrated 10 years ago in search of better horizons. Nostalgia for the country made him jokingly translate the hit. The success of humor sparked this boom, which he sees as a reward for effort and perseverance.

“I’m Wilson Javier González Lawyer, I’m 32 years old and I was born in Ciudad del Este,” says Mousikarios, opening the speech in which he tells how he came to translate into Guarani the hits of the moment of rhythm, which is now on the radio: reggaeton.

“The first song was ‘Una noche en Medellín’ by Chris M.,” he recalls. “It started as a game that I suggested to my followers online: “How would this sound in Guarani?” I asked myself and I did it as a game, instant improv and I uploaded it to my Tiktok. When I opened my mobile phone an hour later, the video had over 100,000 views. So I took it upon myself to make the full version, and that’s how it all started,” he says. About 10 years ago, Wilson emigrated to Spain, where his popularity is growing thanks to performances in nightclubs frequented by the community in the main cities of his homeland. Years ago in Paraguay, he knew how to team up with Abel Alfonso in the group Rumberos from 2009 until 2019 when he announced his retirement and started a solo career, adopting the name Musikarios.

“At the age of 16, I had a dream to perform a song in Paraguay, I prayed to God every day and now I feel the love of the people. I’m learning, not everything is a party, but I’m also learning,” he said in a video that can be seen on his popular YouTube account. The compatriot who stars in his versions, wearing a red and white shirt as a symbol of belonging, told La Nación/Nación Media.

– How did you come to music, is it a family tradition or something of your own, born recently?

“Music has always been a part of my life, since since childhood I have listened to my father Armindo Gonzalez sing a repertoire full of Paraguayan and foreign songs on his guitar, and it was he who inspired me to follow in his footsteps.

TEHAGA’U

– How did you come up with the idea to translate these spectacular songs into Guarani?

– The idea came to me when I lived in Spain, where I realized that being away from your land, you miss your culture. So I decided to create content for TikTok this way using our cute Guarani language.

What do people tell you about your performances?

“Most people think that what we do is something very original and unique. That’s why they always comment, support and share every new version of Guarani we upload to our networks.

How was the tour in Spain?

We did a tour of the main cities (including some of the islands) and to be honest, it was the best experience I’ve had in my entire career.

INFLUENCE

– What did you feel when Streamer Ibai played your songs?

“As I always tell my followers, the impact Musikarios has on the world never ceases to amaze me day after day. And thanks to this theme, we can make known our sweet language and our chaotically beautiful country (laughs).

– Do you plan to travel to other countries where there is an important Paraguayan community, such as Argentina?

-Yes, sure! We are open to all possibilities and indeed the first Musikarios tour in Buenos Aires is coming soon. Also, the other day I received an invitation from Marcelo Tinelli to participate in “Bailando” with a special performance with my versions. They listen to us there, and we see it in attendance on social networks. We are also planning to travel to the United States.

– How is the process of creating a song? Do you do translations, does anyone help you, how do you record, who accompanies you in the band?

“First of all, we choose a topic among all the subscribers on the network, and then we start translating the song, taking care of the rhymes and adding a touch of humor that best represents Paraguay. With this task, only my partner helps me, and all the recordings were made in my own studio called La Jaula Records. I currently have four musicians with me in the band: Aldo Leiva on drums, Dario Toledo on keyboards, Ariel Gonzalez on bass and Diego Jimenez on guitar.

PRIDE

What brings you the most satisfaction from all your work?

– What gives me the most satisfaction is that the project has had a great cultural impact, especially among Paraguayan youth, who now appreciate Guarani more, listening to it in combination with the most viral songs of the moment. With every song we release, people feel more personable and at the same time proud of our language. It really motivates us to keep releasing more songs.

– Are you thinking about recording? In some edition of your songs?

-Transparent. Our first album with over 20 songs called “Hits in Guaraní Vol. 1” is coming out very soon and we have currently opened up a nationwide performance schedule with our own songs coming out by the end of this year. I’m currently studying everything related to music marketing because I think that’s what we lack in Paraguay. I’m tired of watching how Paraguayan soloists or groups prepare high-quality clips that bring in a lot of money, and then they don’t take root. So I understand that you have to deal with some of the things that I’m currently learning.

AMAZING IBAI AND BAD BUNNY PARK

“Let’s see how the remix turned out!” Spanish streamer Ibay Llanos reacted with surprise when he heard “La bebé remix” in the Guarani version of Musikarios.

Gerard Pique’s partner in the League of Kings mentions on the air: “This is the one who wants me to play music so that the child can dance all the way,” he says, carefully listening to the work of a compatriot.

Ibai Surprise has almost reached one million views on Tiktok. “La bebé remix” is a song by Peso Plum and Inga Lvkas, the Guarani version was released on 24 May. “Úpa reju ejavéna michimi, jajapóta sarambi, moõ reĩ kuñatãi,” one part of the song says.

Reggaeton Bud Bunny Bud Bunny’s reaction to the work of Wilson “Musikarios” Gonzalez was also funny when he heard the Guarani version of “Me porto bonito” with an unfriendly face and without saying a word.

HITS

“Titi Asked Me”, “I’m Behaving Nicely”, “Mamii” are some of the reggaeton songs that Mousikarios translated into Guarani, generating great support from the people, especially Paraguayans abroad. He already has over 100,000 followers on Instagram and 30,000 on his YouTube account, where you can see his performances, which, in addition to a good music poster, are distinguished by funny graphic design.

“Ha ko’ág̃a eñembokulíma,” he says in a funny Guarani version of “Tu turrito.” Thus, the theme of Rey and Callejero Fino takes on a new look. Handehina ra’e che rundihare. Háke ndéko che rejáma rehóvo” is a song about a broken heart. “Ha koʼág̃a eñembokulíma rotopa jave ramohina,” he says, moving from “turrito” to “churrito,” which is the cause of the hit. “Thank you for leaving our sweet language aloud”, “Musikarios came out clean”, “Very good Delta. I continued in the same spirit, as always, we break the topic of Guarani. A little bit of cumbia is already needed, ”his subscribers greet him. Julian from Colombia writes to him: “Congratulations to the Paraguayans for not losing their language, hugs to the Colombian brother”, although he has also received some criticism for using Guaraní in these rhythms. “Fortunately, there was a lot more support,” Mousikarios said. Even Spanish Rosalia will smile when she hears “Che chúko de lao a lao Opa lao Aiméma farrahápe” in her Despechá version.