LA PLATICA: Billboard Awards, Cumbias, and Turbos with Estevie

Host: Sonoro (Sebas and Josh)
Guest: Estevie
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of LA PLATICA features rising star Estevie, an artist celebrated for her unique take on Latin music and culture. Hosts Sebas and Josh dive deep with Estevie into her creative process, experiences at the Latin Billboard Awards, the influence of cumbias in her work, childhood inspirations, and her love for spicy snacks (especially Turbo Flamas). The conversation is lively, personal, and full of insights into life as a modern Latina artist.

Main Discussion Themes & Insights

1. Handling Nerves and Living in the Moment

• Nerves Never Go Away: Despite her experience and rising fame, Estevie admits to still feeling nervous for big performances and interviews.
  • “Honestly, it just like never goes away. And I feel like 10 years down the line, I’m still gonna feel the same every time I get on stage, every time I do an interview.” – Estevie (03:37)
• Enjoying the Present: She discusses learning to be present and enjoy her success instead of letting anxiety overshadow big moments, referencing the wisdom of recognizing "the good old days."
  • “Sometimes you just don’t realize that you’re living your best moment and then you think back later and you’re like, oh, wait, I was actually… It was actually happening.” – Estevie (05:13)

2. Estevie’s Creative Process and New Project

• Novela-Inspired Album: Estevie’s upcoming project, La Trecionil Contrabando, is deeply influenced by her favorite childhood novela. She steps into the protagonist Camellia’s shoes to write each song from her emotional perspective.
  • “Every experience that Camellia lived, I try to feel it for myself… I actually felt like really connected to every part of her… even though I haven’t ever been cheated on or been the other woman.” – Estevie (13:13)
• Exploring Regional Roots: The new project is a shift towards more regional sounds, inspired by both traditional and experimental influences.
  • “It definitely feels a little more regional… but it’s still, like, kind of experimental.” – Estevie (25:08)

3. Impact of the Latin Billboard Awards

• Being the Only Woman on the Panel: Estevie shares her honor at being the sole woman featured, and how important feminine representation felt for her and the audience.
  • “The fact that you were... the only, like, woman there. That’s so cool.” – Josh (16:47)
• Connections and New Friendships: She made real friends with other artists like Javi and members of Grupo Frontera, savoring the camaraderie despite wishing for more time to connect.

4. Regional Mexican Music Goes Global

• Genre Crossover Moments: The hosts and Estevie discuss how collaborations (like Grupo Frontera with Bad Bunny and Natanael Cano’s genre bending) have propelled regional Mexican sounds onto the world stage.
  • “With Frontera and Bad Bunny, it just boosted it even more… but I do think that really kicked things off.” – Josh (19:14)

5. Family, Upbringing, and Musical Influences

• Rooted in Family Traditions: Estevie credits her father (who was present for the episode) and family gatherings for introducing her to music legends like Jenni Rivera, Selena, and Vicente Fernández.
  • “He introduced me to all these… songs. Vicente Fernandez, like, he taught me how to sing those songs.” – Estevie (22:31)
• Early Talent: By age 8, she sang challenging songs at talent shows and family parties, getting her first standing ovations and inspiration.

6. Snacks, Road Trips, and Late-Night Cravings

• Turbo Flamas & Snack Talk: The group bonds over their love for obscure Mexican snacks, especially Turbo Flamas chips and the nostalgia attached to them.
  • “Those are some of my favorite chips in the world. I swear to God, they're so underrated.” – Sebas (28:33)
• Fast Food Favorites: Go-to late-night eats include Raising Cane’s and Jack in the Box, with debates over the best menu items and the heartbreak of discontinued favorites.
  • “I'm mad at Jack in the Box because they removed the Sriracha burger. It was the best.” – Estevie (53:27)

7. Artistic Freedom & Industry Challenges

• Importance of Creative Control: Estevie reflects on a difficult period when she didn’t have artistic freedom.
  • “There was a moment in my career… where I was signed to some people and they wouldn’t give me creative freedom. It felt like I was in jail.” – Estevie (32:20)
• Value of Supportive Labels: She now relishes being supported to create authentically.

8. Spirituality and the Creative Process

• Music as a Spiritual Experience: Both Estevie and the hosts touch on creativity’s divine aspects, referencing feeling connected to something greater when songwriting.
  • “Creativity… is a direct connection to God.” – Estevie (44:06)
  • “That’s why you love being in the studio.” – Josh (44:22)

9. Fun Rapid-Fire Q&A Highlights

• Estevie’s Gas Station Picks in Mexico: Fuego chips, Squinkless (with sauce on the side), and mineral water with a twist of lime. (27:34)
• If She Were a Chip: Turbo Flamas—"my studio snack." (28:32)
• Favorite Movie (Spooky Season): "Killer Klowns from Outer Space."
• Random Must-Haves: Lip gloss, lip liner, her digital camera ("digi"), which she always carries around for capturing memories.
• Ideal Day: Quiet self-care, gym, organizing, cooking, and a creative studio session—“making music is like a spiritual experience” (37:21.
• Last Song on Repeat: “Kiss It Better” by Rihanna. (37:49)
• Dream Collaborators: Grupo Frontera, Los Angeles Azules, Kali Uchis. (48:53)
• Pet Peeve: Picky eaters who refuse to try new things. (61:34)
• On Trying New Foods: Estevie loves to experiment but doesn’t like biting into whole tomatoes.

10. Closing and Plugs

• Estevie’s New Project Drops November 7th: Available on all platforms, pre-save now! (65:04)
• LA PLATICA Live Show: November 8th, Fox Theater, Riverside, CA.
• Heartfelt Thanks: The episode wraps with gratitude, laughter, and playful promises of future boiling crab outings and continued friendship.

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On Performing Despite Nerves:
  “If I wasn’t nervous, be worried.” – Estevie (04:15)
• On Mindfulness:
  “Right now is bringing you up for the next moment in your life, you know what I mean?” – Josh (06:09)
• On Artistic Process:
  “Every emotion that that novela gave you, you wrote a song about it. That’s so freaking cool.” – Josh (12:17)
• On Genre Fusion:
  “I was making random things… just pop here and there, reggaeton… when I started doing cumbias… that’s when I really felt that I was doing what felt like me.” – Estevie (26:09)
• On Creative Freedom:
  “Not being able to create freely… felt like I was in jail.” – Estevie (32:20)
• On Music and Spirituality:
  “It feels like I’m connecting to God right now while I’m making the song.” – Estevie (43:56)
• On Pet Peeves:
  “A pet peeve is someone that doesn't want to try something just because of how it looks or the texture.” – Estevie (61:34)

Key Timestamps

• [02:17] Estevie Introduction
• [03:37] Nerves & Mindset
• [09:01] Creative process for new album
• [13:13] Channeling novela characters
• [15:42] Latin Billboard Awards experience
• [18:28] Regional Mexican music’s global moment
• [22:06] Family, music, and upbringing
• [25:08] Direction of new project
• [27:34] Rapid-fire snack questions
• [37:21] Ideal day & music’s spiritual side
• [44:06] Creativity and spiritual connection
• [48:53] Dream music collaborations
• [53:27] Fast food debates
• [65:04] Project launch details and final thanks

Final Thoughts

This episode is a warm, relatable look at the life of a young artist making her way in the evolving world of Latin music. From childhood roots to genre innovations, and creative vulnerability to literal spicy hot takes, Estevie brings an honest, fun spirit that echoes the genuine, supportive energy of LA PLATICA. The conversation offers wisdom for artists, fans, and anyone pursuing their passion with heart.

Pre-save Estevie’s new project everywhere on November 7th, and don’t miss LA PLATICA’s live show November 8th in Riverside!