Jay Wheeler shares how his Abuela inspired his music

For many of us, our relationship with our grandparents can serve as a bridge to the past, often connecting our years of crucial development with the wisdom and customs of the generations that have preceded us. For Jay Wheeler, the connection he shares with his grandmother, Clara Luz, is something he cherishes. This helped him shape him in the man and the artist he is today.

“One of the most beautiful treasures I have in my life is my Abuela,” explains Wheeler. “He is a person who likes to go out, who likes to party, and I am lucky to always have it with me and to have it healthy.”

But in addition to being the life of the party, his grandmother helped to instill many values ​​that guide the singer – who worked hard to inaugurate a new brand of Romantiqueo with his albums “Emociones” and “Emociones 1.5”.

“She taught me to be respectful, to always be empathetic to people and to have a healthy fear of God. I am a person who believes very strongly in God, thanks to her,” said the singer, adding that she also taught her to “be just loving with the world”.

This attentive provision is something that appears in its music and interactions with fans and the media. Wheeler said one day that he tries not to wear sunglasses because he wants his fans to see his eyes. On the musical front, the protégé of Dj Nelson is in great demand to bring vibrations of old -fashioned crooner to the new wave of trap and reggaetón. His latest offer, “Musica Bueno Para Días Malos”, is a futuristic walk through the ups and downs of love. However, the singer recently found the opportunity to tackle a different genre when he released a cover of the classic song “Piel Canela”.

“I was really nervous because I know it’s a classic, that it is something you don’t want to spoil,” he said. “So, my intention was to never make a better version or something like that. My intention was just to make my version of a classic song – the one that reminds me of my grandmother.”

The opportunity to cover the song was part of a collaboration with McDonald’s. The fast food giant is hard to promote their new “McFlurry grandmother” and offer fans a chance to meet the reggaetonero to soften an already sweet affair. For Wheeler, however, not only can he cover a timeless classic, but he can also honor his Abuelita, which he also attributes to help cultivate his love for music through his own passion for song and dance.

“My grandmother always wanted to be a singer … and that inspired me. From a very young age, she instilled [that desire] in me. And she always wanted to be famous, “Wheeler laughs.”[To this day,] If you give her a scene and a microphone, she will dance and sing. “”

The singer remembers a childhood video of him and his abuela singing and dancing like two superstars. Quick advance until today, and Wheeler is on the right track to be just that – McDonald’s campaign testifies to its rising star and marketing. As part of the grandmother’s marketing campaign McFlurry, Wheeler and his grandmother had the chance to film an advertisement together, announcing the new snack and the Tiktok competition that accompanies her. So his Abuelita finally takes her time under the spotlight.

So what is the next step for Wheeler and grandmother Clara Luz? Wheeler is currently on tour, and his next stop is a concert performance at the Madison Square Garden theater, where he will pass through his repertoire of Reggaetón strikes and tramples the Bangers the week after the Puerto Rican weekend. But while Cantando Urbano is his bread and his butter, the singer did not exclude experimentation with classic genres.

“I am open to do anything with regard to music. There is no limit. I will always challenge myself to do everything,” explains Wheeler.

“Obviously, everything will not suit me, but I will always try,” he adds. “I am very open to anything, to make rock music, classical music, whatever. I will always try to give it my touch – my best blow.”

In addition to changing kind in time, the singer is also known to collaborate with his wife and singer colleague, Zhamira Zambrano. So maybe a duet with his Abuelita will also be in cards in the future. Whatever he chooses to tackle then, his grandmother will be there, looking with pride, knowing that his passion was the push towards the brilliant Wheeler is currently living.

Miguel Machado is a journalist with expertise in the intersection of Latin identity and culture. He does everything, from exclusive interviews to Latin music artists to opinion plays on questions relevant to the community, personal tests linked to his Latinidad, and parts and characteristics of thought relating to the Puerto Rico and Porto Rican culture.