Neither his lyrics nor his responses have filters. Farina Páucar Franco (Bello, Antioquia, 1986), better known by her stage name, Farianahas no qualms about expressing his ideas freely, without worrying about softening his words so as not to hurt sensitivities. She sings to women who embrace their femininity, to heartbreak and to haters on social networks. The way he combines reggaeton and rap, his casual rhyming style and his unmistakable purple hair have made his freestyles position themselves at the top of digital platforms. His 6.4 million followers on Instagram are irrefutable proof of his growing popularity and the power of his presence in the music industry.
Legend for Colombia, enigmatic celebrity for the rest of the world, Fariana has been nominated twice for the Latin Grammys and was recognized by the magazine Billboard as one of the 32 best Spanish-speaking rappers. His collaborations with figures such as Arcángel, Blueface, Cazzu, El Alfa, Maluma, Sean Paul, Thalía, and Tokischa have significantly expanded his fan base in the United States, Mexico and Spain.
With a voice charged with electricity, the multifaceted artist speaks with EL PAÍS about her new stage name, the launch of her third album titled underwater and about how she has faced detractors who have questioned the presence of female rappers in Latin music.
Ask. A decade ago, in his debut, a recurring question was who Farina is. Who is she now?
Answer. Farina is me. Obviously, as the years go by there are things that remain intact, but there are also many that have changed, because I have become a different woman thanks to the path taken, what I have learned, and the stages that have made me grow so much as a person. as an artist. That Farina that many knew was a dreamy girl, who never thought she would get to where she is today. Now I am Fariana, a woman who feels very proud of what she has achieved along her path and to be able to say that everything I visualized and dreamed of is coming true.
Q. This new facet is also accompanied by a change of look. What does purple hair represent?
R. Purple is the color of women, the color of transmutation, the one that rebounds all the negative. It is the color of the New Age, a very powerful color that represents me and that symbolizes this new stage of underwater.
Q. How would you define your new album?
R. It is an experience, a world and evolution. My album brings together all those facets that make me Fariana. It represents many moments and states of my life: when I feel powerful and daring, when I feel sexy and sensual, when I feel romantic or I have to take out some rhymes to vent and ask for revenge. There are so many modes that are present in my album that the only thing I want is for people to immerse themselves in it and enjoy it.
Q. As part of the collaborations on this album there are Sean Paul, Flo Rida and Dekko. How did these names come about?
R. In underwater It has everything for all tastes: there is rap, chanteo, dembow, guaracha, there is too much to choose from. I collaborated with artists from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United States, and, of course, Colombia could not be missed. Kily It’s a song that I love and that I recorded with Dekko; I can say that it is one of my favorites. It is a topic that gives me peace, and what better than to do it with a Colombian artist who is breaking it like him and whom I admire very much.
Q. There are no filters in his lyrics. What do you want to communicate to the people who listen to your songs?
R. I want to communicate what I am, what I represent. I want people to feel happy, to laugh when they listen to my lyrics. I seek to break taboos and stigmas that exist about women. Sometimes what we say in our lyrics is questioned a lot, but I don’t see anyone questioning men’s lyrics. It is time to take off that mask and put those prejudices aside. I also want people to identify with my songs of love and improvement, that’s why there are songs like The last drink and Of good. And of course, I want people to get off their asses. I’m used to making your butt move and that’s exactly what I want to achieve with my album.
Q. In one of the posts on Instagram where he announces the new album, he says: “Thanks to the toxic people on the networks for the motivation.” How have they inspired you?
R. Toxic people inspire me every day. When I did the campaign for the launch of my album, I asked my team to record the messages that people left or commented on social networks. So they sent me all that content, and I published it myself to show that nothing stops me. I’m going to continue creating and I’m sorry for those who don’t like it.
Q. One of his most played songs is My friend is P. In your words, how do you define this single?
R. It’s a hymn. My friend is P It is an anthem of strength and courage, a song that invites us to get rid of taboos. I have always said that words are received according to the tone in which they are said. For example, when I talk to my friends, I tell them: “Friend, you are amazing today! I love how you are sissy. “You are a bitch!” For me, the word bitch means empowering each other and celebrating our beauty.
Q. What do you still have to achieve musically?
R. Go on a huge tour. I want to travel to many parts of the world to sing the songs of underwater and see many people attending my concerts. I would love to do a collaboration with Nicki Minaj and sing with Beyoncé or Rihanna. And, of course, continue making a lot of music.
