Latin Grammy Nominees: Aria Vega, Jorge Drexler

What did you learn about yourself when you were making “Compa Coleto?”

I learned that I don’t have to translate myself. The words, the slang, the characters, the way we dress and talk where I’m from—that’s the world I know. The more I trust that and have fun with it, the more people seem to find themselves in it.

What inspired you during the recording of Taracá?

The regional music of my country, Uruguay—specifically, an Afro-Uruguayan rhythm called candombe. I was also inspired by Uruguayan styles such as the milonga (performed by guitar quartets), the murga chorus and the Uruguayan version of plena.