Wikipedia

iLe

Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar[1](born April 28, 1989), better known by the nickname "iLe",is aPuerto Ricansinger, composer and vocalist. She began her musical career as a teenager as the sole female singer ofCalle 13,a group she took part in for 10 years alongside her brothers René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo Cabra Martínez (Visitante).

iLe
iLe in 2017
iLe in 2017
Background information
Birth nameIleana Mercedes Cabra Joglar
Also known asPG-13
Born(1989-04-28)April 28, 1989(age 35)
Hato Rey,San Juan,Puerto Rico
Genres
Occupations
  • Vocalist
  • lyricist
  • composer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2004–present
Websiteilevitable

Her first solo production, entitlediLevitableand launched in June 2016, won aGrammyin the categoryBest Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Albumin 2017, and for it iLe was also nominated for theLatin Grammy Awardsas "Best New Artist".

iLe has performed in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe.

Background and artistic beginnings

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iLe is the daughter of Flor Joglar de Gracia, an actress who formed part of the theatre troupe Teatro del Sesenta. Her father, José Cabra González is a creative advertiser and musician. From a very young age, Ileana showed great interest in music. She began to sing even while still learning how to speak, phonetically imitating the voices of famous singers or movie soundtracks that appealed to her. During this time, she would often sing at private parties and family gatherings.

While attending Josefita Monserrate de Sellés elementary school, she joined the School Choir and the Handbell Choir headed by Evangeline Oliver. For eight years, she studied piano at El Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico.[2]Ileana inherited her voice from her mother and her grandmother, Flor Amelia de Gracia, teacher, and composer, who is also featured on the back cover of Calle 13'sself-titled debut album.[3]At age 16, as a second year high school student, her brotherResidentepicked her up one day after class and asked her to sing "La Aguacatona", a song he had written for a demo he was working on with her brotherVisitante.She began to take private singing lessons with renowned Puerto Rican soprano Hilda Ramos and then additional vocal studies with Cuban singer Gema Corredera, a member of the group Gema y Pavel.

Calle 13

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Early years

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From that point on, she began to collaborate as a vocalist for her brothers' new musical project. "La Aguacatona" caught the attention ofWhite Lion Records.After recording a second song, "La Tribu", she was immediately nicknamed PG-13 by her cousin Ian Marcel Cardozo Joglar, since she was under-aged at the time, she joined the group andPG-13 is normally used to classify moviesthat require parental guidance for children under 13.

During 2005, she was active in the late-night circuit of shows and presentations in various venues throughout the island, which would help give form and structure to what was to become Calle 13. At only 16 years of age, she found herself singing on stage in front of thousands at theColiseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot,as part of Calle 13's first concert. She chose to interpret "Puro Teatro", a song previously recorded byLa Lupe,which is one of her favorite artists.

On May 2, 2009, Calle 13 performed once again at theColiseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelotfor the release of their third albumLos de Atrás Vienen Conmigo."In The Heights"playwrightLin-Manuel Mirandawas invited to make an appearance afterResidentehad seen his acceptance speech forBest Original Scoreat the62nd Tony Awards.[4][5][6]Backstage, Flor Joglar de Gracia, mother of iLe andResidente,revealed to Miranda their connection toGilberto Concepción de Gracia,founder of thePuerto Rican Independence Party.[7][8]Miranda andResidentehave since confirmed their family relation through social media.[9][non-primary source needed][10][non-primary source needed][11][12][non-primary source needed][13][non-primary source needed][14]

PG-13 continued traveling with Calle 13 during her junior year of high school. At that time, she had the opportunity to visit other countries and share the stage with some of her most admired artists, such asGustavo Santaolalla,Kevin Johansen,andSusana Baca.

Latin Grammy Awards performances

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When she was 18, PG-13 sang at the8th Annual Latin Grammy Awardspresentation held at theMandalay Bayin Las Vegas, as part of Calle 13's interpretation of "Pa'l Norte" which opened with PG-13 performing a soloa cappella.[15]

In November 2011, Calle 13 opened the Gala at the 12th edition of the Latin Grammy Awards with the theme "Latinoamérica" performed with a symphony orchestra arrangement by Alex Berti and conducted by Musical Director Gustavo Dudamel. According to Latino Fox News, PG-13's high notes left everyone in silence.[16]

Solo career

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First steps

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By the end of 2012, she participated in the traditionalBanco PopularTV Christmas Special which has been produced and transmitted each year since 1993. On this occasion, for the special "Hecho con Sabor a Puerto Rico" Ileana had an impressive performance singing "La Pared"[17]which was described by the Diario of NY as "superb" 4 La Pared is one of the first successful songs written by Puerto Rican composerRoberto Angleró.

Collaborations

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In 2010, Kevin Johansen invited Joglar as a guest performer during his presentation at the Buenos Aires National Theatre where together they sang "Logo," a song included in Johansen's repertoire and recording; The Nada Liniers: Live in Buenos Aires.[18]

In 2012, bo xing championMiguel Cottochose Joglar to sing thePuerto Rican National Anthemduring the introduction ceremony prior to his fight againstFloyd Mayweather Jr.Her interpretation was widely acclaimed, including by the legendaryBob Dylan,who in 2015 mentioned her in hisMusiCares Person of the Yearspeech: "I was in a bo xing match a few years ago watching Floyd Mayweather fight a boxer from Puerto Rico and someone sang the Puerto Rican national anthem. And it was beautiful, it was heartfelt, it was moving".[19]

In 2014, she collaborated with Gustavo Cordera on the theme "Estoy Real" for the "Cordera Vivo" production, which was recorded at La Trastienda Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. One year later, in 2015, she was invited by Jorge Drexler to sing on stage the song "Olas y Arena" by Puerto Rican composer Sylvia Rexach during Drexler's concert in Puerto Rico as part of the Uruguayan singer's tour.

In 2017, she guests sang on "Hijos del Canãveral", the closing track of her brother'sdebut solo album.[20]

In March 2022, she was featured on a single byAdrian Quesadacalled “Mentiras con Cariño."[21][22][23]

iLe

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In August 2015, Ileana announced that she was changing her artistic name to iLe and was working on her first solo album. The recording took place during that entire year under the production of iLe and Ismael Cancel.[24]

iLevitable

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In May 2016,iLevitablewas released to the praise of critics and peers. According toNPR"the album established her immediately as a first-class interpreter of the classic sounds that flow through Latin America."[25]Jon ParelesofThe New York Timesdescribed it as "a knowingly retro survey of Latin music's past, full of romance and a longing that can turn despondent. She sings richly orchestrated boleros, delicate ballads and percussive boogaloo and mambo, without a hint of either irony or naïveté."[26]

Some of Puerto Rico's most prominent musicians collaborated on the album: Piro Rodríguez, Charlie Sepulveda, Bayrex Jiménez,Eduardo Cabra,Fofé Abreu fromCirco,Louis García and the lateCheo Felicianoin one of his last recordings ever.

The first single released was "Caníbal" and it was accompanied by a dramatic video directed by Argentinian Juan Manuel Costa. The video was described as an "animated Frida Kahlo painting"[27]and was positively reviewed.[28]Her second single and video, "Te Quiero Con Bugalú," was released on July 7.

Also in July 2016, Ile embarked on her first tour with her new band, performing the songs fromiLevitable.On July 7, she performed at theHighline Ballroomas part of theLatin Alternative Music ConferenceOfficial Showcase.[29]July 8 she performed her first solo show outside of Puerto Rico—live atSOB's,also in New York.[30]Later that month she participated in the Nuevofest inPhiladelphiaand in the Millennium Park Summer Series in Chicago.[31]August 4 Ile performed at theLincoln CenterOut of Doorsseries, presented and recorded byNPR.[32]

In September 2016,The Recording Academynominated Ile for her firstLatin GrammyasBest New Artist.

In February 2017,iLevitablewon aGrammy AwardforBest Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.

Almadura

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On May 20, 2019, iLe released her sophomore album,Almadura,a title that literally translates to "strong soul" and is a play on words of the Spanish word for "armor" ( "armadura" ).[33]The album contains modern and electronic takes on Puerto Rican and other Caribbean musical styles and folklore, referencing traditional musical genres like bomba and featuring artists like jazz and salsa pianistEddie Palmieri.[2][33]

Almaduranot only reflects on Puerto Rico's cultural roots but on its present and future, as well, notably in the wake ofHurricane Maria.[2][33]The video for the lead single, "Odio," reenacts theCerro Maravilla murdersas a message of empowerment and solidarity in response to the aftermath of the storm.[2][34]

In a year-end essay forSlate,Ann PowerscitedAlmaduraas proof thatthe format is not deadbut rather undergoing a "metamorphosis", with artists such as iLe utilizing theconcept albumthrough the culturally relevant autobiographical narratives.[35]

Nacarile

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Her third album,Nacarile,was released on October 21, 2022.[36]

Track Listing:

1. A la deriva (iLe & Flor de Toloache)

2. Ningún Lugar (iLe & Trueno)

3. (Escapándome) de mí

4. En Cantos (iLe & Natalia Lafourcade)

5. Lo Que Yo Quería

6. ALGO BONITO (iLe & Ivy Queen)

7. Cuando TE MIRO (iLe & Rodrigo Cuevas)

8. Donde nadie más Respira

9. Traguito (iLe & Mon Laferte)

10. Paisaje

11. No Es Importante

Nacarile, a substantial 11-track project, is the outcome. It incorporates iLe's love of traditional Latin American music, Puerto Rican folk percussion, and even some of the hip-hop she and her brothers used to perform in the renowned group Calle 13 when she was younger. However, Nacarile also fuses new genres into iLe's most inventive, forward-thinking effort yet by fusing astral synths, irreverent art pop, and prismatic melodies.[37]

Social movement soundtrack

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A song,Afilando los cuchillos,(English: "Sharpening the knives" ) with lyrics byBad Bunny,Residente,and iLe, was released during theTelegramgateprotests.[38][33]

References

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  1. ^Roiz, Jessica Lucia (August 5, 2015)."Ileana Cabra, Calle 13 Sister, Announces Solo Project: Singer To Release New Album".Latin Times.
  2. ^abcdEcleen Luzmila Caraballo (April 23, 2019)."Singer-Songwriter iLe Rallies for Puerto Rican Freedom - And Her Own - in Upcoming LP, 'Almadura'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 13,2020.
  3. ^"De luto por muerte de su abuela el cantante Residente Calle 13".Primerahora. March 27, 2011.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  4. ^"Calle 13 & Lin Miranda – La Fucking Moda @ Calle 13 Concert in Puerto Rico on Vimeo".May 3, 2009.RetrievedApril 12,2017– via Vimeo.
  5. ^Visitante, Residente (May 3, 2009)."LIn Manuel y Calle 13 en Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot".Flickr.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  6. ^"Lin-Manuel Miranda Tony Acceptance Speech – In The Heights – YouTube".June 16, 2008.RetrievedApril 12,2017– via YouTube.
  7. ^Ayala, Leonor."In Lin-Manuel Miranda's Puerto Rican Town, Crisis Worries Family Members".NBC News.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  8. ^"A paso firme en las alturas | VANESA BAERGA".Vanesabaerga.wordpress. June 27, 2013.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  9. ^Lin-Manuel Miranda."Lin-Manuel Miranda on Twitter:" Sometimes you run into your famous rapper cousin in the street. "".Twitter.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  10. ^Lin-Manuel Miranda."Lin-Manuel Miranda on Twitter:" The greatest rapper in the family came through tonight...@Residente aka mi primo RenĂŠ! #Asidegrandesonlasideas "".Twitter.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  11. ^"Instagram".Instagram. February 4, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  12. ^Lin-Manuel Miranda."Lin-Manuel Miranda on Twitter:". "@belisa78: @Lin_Manuel are u and Rene from Calle 13 really primos or did u mean it like brother or buddy?i MUST know!"? 3rd cousins. "".Twitter.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  13. ^Lin-Manuel Miranda (July 27, 2016)."Lin-Manuel Miranda on Twitter".Twitter.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  14. ^"Instagram".Instagram. July 28, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  15. ^"Video Interpretación Calle 13/Orishas-Pal Morte"– via YouTube.
  16. ^Greatereaux, Alexandra."Calle 13 Sweep Breaks Records at the Latin GRAMMYs".Los Angeles Times.
  17. ^"ILEANA CABRA – LA PARED".December 2, 2012 – via YouTube.
  18. ^"Kevin Johansen + The Nada + Liniers – Vivo en Buenos Aires".Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2010.RetrievedDecember 3,2017.
  19. ^Roberts, Randall."Grammys 2015: Transcript of Bob Dylan's MusiCares Person of Year speech".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedOctober 13,2015.
  20. ^Ortiz, Jorge J. Muñiz (March 31, 2017)."Residente lanza su disco" más real y preciso "tras más 10 años con Calle 13".EFE(in Spanish). San Juan.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  21. ^"Black Pumas' Adrian Quesada Announces Album, Shares Video for New Song".Pitchfork.March 29, 2022.RetrievedApril 7,2022.
  22. ^Stith, Deborah Sengupta."Adrian Quesada's new album 'Boleros Psicodélicos' pays tribute to golden era of balada".austin360.RetrievedApril 7,2022.
  23. ^Burns, Brian (March 29, 2022)."Adrian Quesada (feat. iLe), 'Mentiras Con Cariño'".NPR.RetrievedApril 7,2022.
  24. ^Simón, Yara."As Calle 13 Takes a Break, Ileana Cabra aka PG-13 Will Be Releasing Her First Solo Album".Remezcla.
  25. ^ET (May 20, 2016)."Review: iLe, 'iLevitable'".NPR.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  26. ^Pareles, Jon (June 1, 2016)."Review: iLe's 'iLevitable' Finds That Longing Can Turn to Mourning".The New York Times.
  27. ^Reiman, Nadia (April 1, 2016)."Ile's New Video Looks Like an Animated Frida Kahlo Painting".Remezcla.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  28. ^Judy Cantor-Navas (January 4, 2016)."Watch New Video From Calle 13's Ileana Cabra".Billboard.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  29. ^Highline Ballroom (July 7, 2016)."ILE – New York Concert Tickets – ILE Highline Ballroom Tickets – July 07, 2016".Bandsintown.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  30. ^"ILE – New York Concert Tickets – ILE S.O.B.'s Tickets – July 08, 2016".Bandsintown.July 8, 2016.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  31. ^"ILE – Chicago Concert Tickets – ILE JAY PRITZKER PAVILION Tickets – July 14, 2016".Bandsintown. July 14, 2016.RetrievedApril 12,2017.
  32. ^"NPR Music Live in Concert".Lincoln Center Out of Doors.RetrievedDecember 11,2016.
  33. ^abcdHelena Alonso Paisley (February 19, 2020)."Puerto Rican Singer iLe Brings Almadura's Seductive, Revolutionary Rhythms To North Beach".WLRN.org.Artburst Miami.RetrievedJuly 13,2020.
  34. ^Isabela Raygoza (August 15, 2018)."iLe Sheds Light on Puerto Rico's Forgotten History in New Video for 'Odio'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedJuly 13,2020.
  35. ^Powers, Ann(December 17, 2019)."The album is evolving".Slate.RetrievedSeptember 15,2020.
  36. ^Fadel, Leila; Quiroz, Lilly (October 20, 2022)."Singer and songwriter iLe's third album, 'Nacarile,' finds a world deeply in flux".Morning Edition.NPR.RetrievedOctober 21,2022.
  37. ^"Nacarile (CD)".ile Official.RetrievedMay 26,2023.
  38. ^"'Afilando Los Cuchillos' Soundtracks Puerto Rico's Social Movement in Real Time ".NPR. July 25, 2019.RetrievedJuly 26,2019.
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