Christian Nodal on Fatherhood, His Love of Mexican Classics, and Top-Secret Collaborations on the Way
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Christian Nodal decided to celebrate the music of his country in a special way. In honor of Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 14, the música Mexicana star released his new EP México En Mi Voz. On the project, Nodal takes on mariachi classics by late Mexican icons Vicente Fernández and Juan Gabriel.
“I love my culture,” he says over Zoom. “I’m very proud of my country and the music from there. In this era of música Mexicana, there are a lot of different styles coming out that are being played around the world. I don’t want us to lose our roots.”
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On the EP, Nodal puts his mariacheño spin on the songs “Acá Entre Nos,” “Mujeres Divinas,” and “La Ley del Monte,” which were popularized by Vicente Fernández. His beyond-his-years voice also soars while singing “Ya Lo Se Que Tu Te Vas” by Gabriel and when he takens on the José Alfredo Jiménez composition “La Media Vuelta.”
Though Nodal already has six years of hits behind him, he’s continued to pay homage to música Mexicana legends like Selena Quintanilla, Marco Antonio Solís, and Ramón Ayala on his Forajid2 World Tour. Seeing Nodal seamlessly mix his biggest songs like “Adiós Amor,” “Botella Tras Botella,” and “No Te Contaron Mal” with those of his idols shows that he has solidified his place as one of Mexico’s most impressive new starsat 24 years old.
In the midst of his sold-out tour, Nodal has become a father. His girlfriend, Latin trap star Cazzu, gave birth to their child on September 14 in Argentina. “Right now I’m feeling a lot of emotions,” he says. Nodal caught up with Rolling Stone a few days before the life-changing moment and talked to him about his EP, his thoughts on the música Mexicana explosion, and his hopes for his child.
How would you describe the experience of recording these classic songs by Vicente Fernández and Juan Gabriel?
It was very difficult. We’re treading lightly because these are songs that I love, that I sing in my concerts, and that I’ve sung while drunk. This time, we’re taking it more seriously. We’ve been in the studio, and I’m like [sighs], “I’m not even going to reach the heel of the original versions.” You can’t ever surpass the original songs. It was a process of understanding that, that I’m doing an homage that has to be made with my style and essence. I put all my heart into it. I put a lot of work into it. I studied these songs a lot and what came out is what came out. [Laughs]. It was a challenge that opened and expanded my mind. I made this with a lot of respect and love.
Your tour and last two EPs were titled Forajido (Outlaw). What does that word mean to you?Forajido represents me in many ways. When I was a kid, I admired a lot of outlaws, starting with Zorro, for example. We have Mexican outlaws like Pancho Villa, people who have fought for what they believe in. Basically, to fight for what you believe in, there’s a lot of people with you and against you. At the end of the day, you’re sought after. It doesn’t matter the reason, whether it be love, hate, or they agree with you or don’t. I feel very sought after by people and because of that I feel like I’m an outlaw.
On your Forajido EP2, you released the song “Cazzualidades” that was about your relationship with Cazzu. How did you feel to share that personal part of your life music video with her?Throughout the years, I’ve written songs that are very intimate for me, dealing with heartbreak and love. I’ve made a lot of songs. I love to keep it real. I feel like people can feel when something is real and when it’s not. In my lyrics, even if it’s something that I write or don’t write, I want people to connect with them. I made [“Cazzualidades”] for the mother of my child. We’re going through a very precious chapter as individual human beings, as a team, and as a couple. I love sharing a lot of things. I love screaming about our love to the rooftops.
Congrats on your baby on the way! What are your thoughts on becoming a father?
I don’t know if my team has told you, but I’ve been outside of Argentina for like 20 days, working hard and closing out commitments we had agreed on since last year. It’s been very difficult. I’m used to working tirelessly. But to know that my partner is on the other side of the world, that she’s ready to give birth soon with a human in there. They don’t fit in the same body anymore. [Laughs]. That’s what makes it difficult. I want to be there. I’m trying my best to stay in contact with her through video calls, but it’s not the same. Right now my priority is to get to Argentina before the baby is born. That’s all I’m thinking about right now. I feel very grateful that life has brought me to this moment with the right person, with the person who I love, admire, and appreciate a lot.
How would you feel if your baby grew up wanting to be a part of the music industry like you and Cazzu?
I don’t care what my baby wants to do. All I want is for them to be happy while being a great human being and doing what they love to do. If that brings them fame or not, that doesn’t matter to me. Me being happy doing what I’m doing, I consider that to be the biggest achievement. If they want to dedicate themselves to music, of course I’ll give them all the tools that I know for them to be the best artist possible. No matter what they want to dedicate themselves to, I’m open to it.
What are your thoughts on música Mexicana become one of the biggest genres globally this year?
I love how música Mexicana has exploded. It’s incredible to see that among the most-listened to songs, there’s different styles. There’s Grupo Frontera. There’s Peso Pluma. There’s Natanael Cano. It feels beautiful to see what my people are achieving and how they’re killing it, that there’s people getting to know our culture through music. Whether you like the music that’s hitting today or not, you have to feel proud because that’s our roots. They are people who are representing Mexico in their own way.
You were recently spotted with corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano. Could there be a corrido in your future soon?
I think perspective always changes. To make mariachi music, you have to get to know the genre. I used to feel like corridos tumbados and bélicos could be bad for the regional Mexican genre because they’re easy to make in a sense. People can say the lyrics aren’t that poetic. With side A, there’s side B. With time, I reflected on it a lot and it changed my perspective. From there, I began to really like the songs with that style. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Nata. I’m from Sonora. I love him a lot. Junior H, we also have a great chemistry. We’ve talked a few times and it’s always been great. I’ve always had great respect for all of them. I felt there was a line we couldn’t cross between our music because they are very different, but a little while ago, I did a song. I can’t give you any more details about it, but what’s coming is tumbado. I’m very excited about it.
You broke ground for música Mexicana when “Botella Tras Botella” with Gera MX charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Would you work with him again on new music?
We have a collaboration with Los Plebes del Rancho de Ariel Camacho and Gera MX. On top of that, I’m working on a song that’s going to come out as a surprise for the world of rap. I consider myself a pioneer of the movement of bringing together urbano with regional Mexican music. I consider myself to be a pioneer in changing the image and perspective of regional Mexican. The song with Los Plebes del Rancho and Gera MX is called “Hoy Voy a Tomar.” The song coming after will be with Gera and other Mexican rappers. It’s something that we’ve spent a lot of time on. As you say in the United States, it’s a banger.
Ricky Martin recently posted on Instagram about having something on the way with you. What can you tell us about that?
What I can say is that I admire Ricky a lot. I respect him a lot. As an artist, I love him. From what I got to know of him, he’s an incredible human being. He’s super talented. The production he made for me in the song that’s coming is incredible. It’s even more of an honor for me to record with him due to the fact that the production has mariachi influences. I’m very excited. It’s a very iconic song from Ricky Martin’s catalog. On top of that, that cabrón is very handsome. [Laughs]
You started out as a teenager and grew up in front of the world. What have you learned from that experience?
It’s very difficult. It’s like being naked in front of the world. We’re human. We show emotions and our fragility that probably the artists from before did feel but weren’t showing because social media didn’t exist. I feel very proud because people have seen me go through very difficult moments in my life. They’ve seen me at my worst, at my best, and in between. Now, I believe I’m in the best chapter of my life and that people can also notice that. It’s very precious to me. I believe I also carry an important message, which is to never give up on life, to keep going, and to keep fighting. Always pick yourself up. Life is beautiful. The world is precious. It’s been difficult, but I feel very proud. I feel like it’s a challenge that not just anyone can take on.
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