The young artist begins to distance himself from the figure of his father, the popular music singer Ólider Montana, and shows his project, in which he mixes R&B sounds with the essence of the urban genre.
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J Montana says she has an advantage over other emerging talents by coming from a musical family. / Private File
Who is J Montana?
I am a Bogota artist with Tolima roots. Born in 1994, I studied audiovisual and musical production. I’ve been in an artistic career for regarding six years, searching for my sound and singing in different parts of the country. Right now I’m still learning regarding music and creating my space in it.
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You are the son of the popular music artist Ólider Montana, why didn’t you lean towards that same artistic line?
I cannot deny that I am a lover of popular music, I grew up with it and we owe it so much in my family, but my decision to sing urban music was wanting to explore a different genre, in which I felt more comfortable when interpreting, of composing and even when thinking regarding the costumes for the shows.
What has been your musical inspiration?
I will always say it, my inspiration and role model was and will be my father Ólider Montana, not only because of everything he had to live as a human being in his early days, but because of the great artist he is and the legacy he has built through the music.
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Why did you lean towards the urban genre?
The culprit of being in the genre is the Puerto Rican singer Arcángel, because when I heard Por amar a blindas, one of his most representative songs, I fell in love with the genre and from there I began to practice and create my musical style, which is a mix between the sounds of R&B and reggaeton.
How many own songs does J Montana already have circulating?
I have eight songs, which I have published so far, although I have more than 20 in the studio, which will begin to come out this year, in which I am resuming my projects.
You have talked regarding different international collaborations, who are they and why are they so important?
My process has been very beautiful and I have lived it step by step. I am learning as I go, and for me there is nothing more important for an emerging artist than having collaborations with producers from other countries and who see my musical proposal with good eyes. Isa Torres, producer of Residente en Miami, and DLB Producer, a Peruvian hip hop producer, have taken my creativity to another level. Little by little we are finding the line of J Montana, they enrich and add a lot to my process.
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What advantages does he have over other new talents that are starting to emerge?
Many people in the business know the role I played alongside my dad. I learned a lot regarding the industry, and I think that the knowledge that some emerging artists do not yet have makes me a step forward. The discipline and humility that I have had with my project are also a plus, which I feel all artists should have when it comes to taking this career seriously.
Is he sponsored by an already consecrated artist?
My project this year started with the independent label of the Montana Music Group family, hand in hand with my father and my work team. This group and my manager, Iwander Vásquez, are the support for all the great things that are coming for my career and that are already being managed.
The Panamanian Joey Montana is already a consecrated artist, how has he managed not to be compared or confused with him?
It has been cumbersome legally and professionally speaking. It has been difficult to be able to get out of the shadow of the Panamanian artist Joey Montana, because many are often confused, since it is very similar when it comes to pronouncing, but I will continue to consolidate my brand and create a style different from his. I will try to create broad features that differentiate our races.
(Besides: Mónica Castillo and Víctor Hugo Rodríguez, from the Pacific region)
What are your dreams and goals? How far do you want to go?
As far as God allows. I will continue working to consolidate my career. My dream is to take my art to many parts of the world, and my goal is to put my hometown, Bogotá, on the urban music map.
What are your projects?
A lot of music is coming in an industry that goes so fast and where we have the task of creating different and quality projects. Tours are coming in schools in Bogotá, and to continue in love with the process and fight for this dream called J Montana.