Moffa shares how to be adopted influenced his music

In our series of questions and answers / features Tell Me Más, we ask some of our favorite Latin celebrities to share internal information about their lives and some of the ways they favor their mental health. This month, we spoke with the artist reggaetón Moffa on the way in which the adoption by his Puerto Rican parents had an impact on his music, his identity and his way of navigating the world.

It is impossible to talk about the rise in reggaetón acts in 2024 without mentioning Moffa. The 22 -year -old Puerto Rican artist has seen his Star Grandir power in Lightspeed in the past two years. In 2022, he was one of the three lucky young acts – with Alejo and Jotaerre – who joined Megastar Karol G on the successful song “A Viaje”, where he was personally transported to Colombia to work on the track. Since then, he drops music constantly with bangers like “Bentley Remix”, “Sussy”, “Dammn” and “0 Millas”, all exceeding millions in combined streams. His versatile flow and catchy lyricism also flocked that other artists also clashed, from established stars like Manuel Turizo and Paopao in Ogs like ñengo Flow.

On July 18, Moffa’s first album finally made his debut. Entitled “Playground”, the project reflects its frantic enthusiasm and curiosity. As he says: “Even as an adult, I always feel like a child in many ways”, which partly inspired the name of the LP. Not only do the feelings and experiences he explore on his traces of his own personal playground for emotions, but as an artist, the same goes for the variety of sounds with which he experiences. The recording studio and life itself are both its playground.

For a long time, Moffa was a person who keeps her cards near her chest, without ever diving into her personal life. Although he hinted in the past his roots, he has never spoken of his background frame in detail.

Although born and raised in Puerto Rico, it is actually adopted. Moffa is the Afro-Latin son of a Brazilian mother and a Dominican father. His mother died tragically when he was still a child, and he and his twin sister were taken by his Puerto Rican sponsors, whom he now considers in his parents.

In an exclusive conversation with PS, Moffa talks about what it was to learn that it was adopted, the struggle to reconcile with the members of the family on the side of his organic parent, if he has already questioned his identity, how he draws from his roots, and even more.

The following quotes were translated, published and condensed for more clarity.

PS: Where were you born and high?

Moffa: I was born in Puerto Rico, in Bayamón. I was raised in the metropolitan region, but I traveled a lot to Isabela and Aguada because my family was from there, on the west side [of the island.] We would go every weekend or every weekend, which is why I feel that I was raised on both sides.

PS: When did you discover that you and your sister were adopted?

Moffa: I have known since I was little. My biological mother died at the age of nine months, cancer, and I have never met my biological father. And so, once she died, [my godparents] adopted us and became my parents. They had been friends with my mother since they were children. They were all friends together. It was not something that was hidden from us, thank God. They let us know, yes, we are adopted. And people would still have asked us once they saw my mother and father because we are not at all the same color [laughs]. It would be very difficult to convince anyone they are my biological parents.

PS: You said you realized that you were adopted from a very young age. How would you describe how you and your sister were raised by your parents; Do they ensured that this knowledge never weighed you or did not affect you?

Moffa: I think they have always been transparent and never hid us at all. They were always simple on our history and our history – our roots. And if we wanted to travel in these places and know them, they would support us and in fact encourage us to explore every corners and spaces of our family that we did not know.

PS: I know that children can be cruel; Have you ever been intimidated as a child because you were different from your parents? How did you manage this, if so?

Moffa: I was not the victim of intimidation, in fact. Here in Puerto Rico, I have the impression that this kind of discrimination exists, but it is not as strong these days. I think we should all be aware that we are all the same. I am not and I will never be different simply because I am adopted or I have a different family.

PS: Do you know something about the family of your organic parent now? Have you had contact or interaction with them? If so, how do you feel?

Moffa: To date, my family in Brazil has always kept an eye on me. They sometimes write to me on DMS, but it is difficult to communicate because I do not speak [Portuguese,] So I use [translator apps] To write them.

I did not mention it publicly before, but a few days ago, my biological father really “liked” one of my publications on social networks. And it was, like “Oh shit” because I have never met him. […] I heard that I had seven brothers and sisters on my father’s side. It is a difficult situation. You don’t want to look at this person because you [exist] because of them. But since there is no relationship there – no affection, no love – so you don’t know how to react or what to do. [They say] “We are here if you need something”, but the feeling is not there. It’s strange.

PS: Do you have a curiosity to meet them or one of your members of your extended family on this side?

Moffa: Heyh … For me, you are really focused on your own things, you know? You discover all these things, which fortunately revealed me when I was much younger. But I did not have this curiosity because you have somehow the impression that you deceive your current family – people who have devoted their life to me, who gave me a roof over my head. I don’t have a problem with a problem [them,] It would be really cool, but my family also deserves some respect.

PS: Regarding your identity, what kind of conversations did you have with other people or with yourself, by the way? Now that you are older, is that something with which you have tackled?

Moffa: Unfortunately, I don’t know much about Brazilian culture. I know history a little, but I have never visited to get to know the country fully. Neither the Dominican Republic nor Brazil. But for me, I am Puerto Rican, just with Brazilian and Dominican blood. I have a ton of family in Brazil, but I am clear on my identity.

PS: the last years have warmed the conversation around cultural appropriation, even among the Hispanics and the Latinos, and if they can make songs in genres which are historically and culturally associated with specific countries. You are in a unique place where you have a little pass for several genres. Have you ever planned to make a Dominican Brazilian Funk or Dembow?

Moffa: Last year, I went out with my first Brazilian funk, produced by young Martino and Hokage. It’s called “Toko”, and I remember thinking about it exactly. Like: “Can I really do that? Am I allowed?” I have never felt: “Oh, it’s my birth right, and I have to do it,” you know? I wanted to experience it and I love this sound. I can’t wait to go to one of their carnivals. I think it is one of my biggest goals, to be able to go to carnival in Brazil. It is not only one of the most popular events in Brazil, but it is also famous worldwide.

PS: Since your parents have known your mother for so long, I’m sure they told you about her. Is there anything in his personality you think you have? Have you thought about how your life could have been different if it had raised you?

Moffa: From what I was told, if she was still there, I would probably not do it [have the success] I now have music. Both because of the available resources [to her,] But also his character. I would probably not be in music. I would probably have been raised to be more studious and work in something more “appropriate” like a doctor or an engineer. I’m sure I could have followed my dreams, but I think it would have been more difficult.
And also, she looked much more like my sister, [laughs]

PS: there is always a stigma or a shock when people discover that a person is adopted, partly because of this societal idea dated that “ideal” families conceive their children. I do not agree with that; In my own case, my father was not my biological father, but he was still my father. What do you say to people who discover that they are adopted – or to anyone, for any reason, feels like any “other” in their group?

Moffa: Don’t fuck yourself or don’t feel different. You are a normal person like all the other people who have realized their dreams, and you can do the same. Sometimes these things will appear in life, in your personal life, at work or in a conversation with people close to you, but you just have to get involved with it. Do not feel bad about it. Be yourself, follow your dreams and live your life as it happens. Do not claim that it is not real, of course, because it is part of you. But don’t hide it. Be proud of that, even. Do not flee.

I am happy and proud of where I come from. I don’t think being adopted puts me in a fence or anything. I am a normal person, like any other guy … I can do whatever I want if I put my mind.

PS: What have you learned about the mental health that you apply today – not necessarily with regard to your identity, but even in your career? How do you manage anxiety and things of this nature? What advice have you received?

Moffa: In this quick industry, you must remain anchored above all and be aware of your station in life. You [have to] Be patient on what’s going on around you and do not rush. Sometimes I find myself asking thousands of questions in my head, but I must then stop and center myself and my thoughts, and relax. Sometimes you just have to shed tears to release all this anger or anxiety that we feel in the face of adversity in this world where there are a lot of ups and downs. It helps to go out and not let the emotions take over on you.

Juan J. Arroyo is an independent Puerto Rican music journalist. Since 2018, it has been written for PS, Remezcla, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. It focuses on the widening of the canvas of Latin stories and the manufacture of Latin culture – in particular the Latin Caribbean culture – more visible in the dominant current.