Isabela Merced Premieres Peru-Inspired Music Video for "Papi"
Trust us — Isabela Merced isn’t going to call you Papi.
The 18-year-old actor and budding pop singer’s newest music video for her debut solo single “Papi” is not just a fun, fast-paced, Latin pop dance track. It’s also a visual ode to Isabela proudly owning her Peruvian heritage. The music video, which Teen Vogue is exclusively premiering today, starts out with Isabela holding her own within a group of masked dancers as she executes Peruvian-inspired choreography and flawlessly flows between confident and self-assured bilingual verses.
“Different elements of my Peruvian culture, from the coast to the Amazons, are incorporated into every aspect of my music, wardrobe, dancing, and storytelling of my videos. The ‘Papi’ music video included a modern twist of choreography and wardrobe elements from a Peruvian dance called Marinera, such as the faldas and the pañuelos. The props in the video were inspired from a Peruvian tradition, the Diablada,” Isabela told Teen Vogue. “I want to introduce everyone to the rich culture of my family’s heritage.”
The song has a subtle feminist tone to its lyrics, where Isabela narrates over the pounding drumbeat that no matter how much intrigued interest rests between her and any potential love interest, she doesn’t have time for frivolous romantic stereotypes. This relationship is on her terms — and the man can take it or leave it.
“'Papi' is empowering to girls. 'Papi' has sass and confidence,” said Isabela in a recent interview with Refinery29. “[But] something that is exciting about ‘Papi’ is that the guy whom this song refers to will hear it. He — and other womanizing men — will hopefully get the message and treat ladies with the respect they deserve.”
Check out Isabela's new music video exclusively on Teen Vogue:
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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Isabela Moner Has Changed Her Name to Isabela Merced as a Tribute to Her Grandmother
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
