Jul 17, 2023

¡Hola, hola, hola, familia! Get ready to be inspired as we learn about the extraordinary journey of Jess Makaveli, the Talentosa, Poderosa, Reggaetonera based in Melbourne, Australia. She is not only a remarkable artist but also an embodiment of strength, resilience, and the power of pursuing one's dreams.

As Jess started the interview, her presence radiated with confidence and kindness. When asked about her stage name, Jess Makaveli, she revealed that it was inspired by the book "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli. Jess explained, "Makaveli represents the lifestyle of embracing being an outlaw and surviving in today's society in a positive way." It's a name that symbolizes her determination to achieve her dreams, use adversities as superpowers and encourage others to do the same.

Born as Jessica Bustamante, Jess proudly embraces her Hispanic heritage. Growing up in Melbourne, Australia with Salvadoran roots, she experienced the best of both worlds as a true Latina Australiana. She shared, "My childhood was amazing, not because we were rich, but because of the rich culture I grew up with. I had the opportunity to experience two worlds in one life. At school, I was in Australia, but as soon as I walked through those front doors, I entered El Salvador. The aroma of delicious food, like pupusas, carne asada, arroz, and frijolitos, surrounded me. Learning from my grandparents, especially my grandma, who cooked the most amazing food, has shaped me into the passionate and headstrong person I am today."

Jess's Hispanic environment and instilled family values played a significant role in shaping her character. She expressed how being Salvadoran (and proud of it!) along with being an Australian Latina, has contributed to who she is both personally and as an artist. She talked about her early childhood experiences being the catalyst for her love of music, “I guess, the whole Hispanic Christmas parties and the gatherings……the salsa and reggaeton and bachata. The more traditional music is what captivated me and that's what I'm trying to introduce within my own kind of genre of music. Trying to bring my childhood to you guys in my own way and also tell my story and experiences of my life.”

Her journey as an artist has not been without its challenges. Jess had to pave her own path, especially as a rising female artist in the male-dominated Australian music industry. She explained how early on people would often underestimate her. She emphasized. "Coming into this industry as a female rapper, it's easy to be manipulated…. People underestimate you and try to charge you extra. I bounced around from studio to studio, encountering empty promises and lack of guidance."

She stressed the importance of thorough research, especially for women trying to make it in the industry. "Do your research… Establish your boundaries and make it clear that you're here to pursue your dreams without being taken advantage of," she advised. Jess unveiled how she learned from these scenarios and persisted to learn more about the complex landscape of the music industry by asking questions, challenging the status quo and investing in herself.

The conversation took an inspiring turn when we discussed the impact of COVID-19 on her career. Living in Melbourne, which faced one of the strictest lockdown measures globally, Jess faced immense challenges as she started gaining momentum as an artist. "COVID hit the entertainment industry hard, and Melbourne was the most locked-down city in the world. It was a rollercoaster ride, trying to navigate through the uncertainty and restrictions. But I refused to let it dim my passion. I rented Airbnb’s to record music and bent the rules to continue creating music and performing. I was determined to share my art and connect with my audience." Jess continuously innovated in tough times to find a way to follow her passion.

Throughout our conversation, Jess's mantra became clearer and clearer, ella siempre sigue adelante and manifests her dream outcome. She shared, "I've faced numerous challenges and setbacks, but I never let them define me. I turned my struggles into fuel for my dreams. I want to inspire others, especially women, to believe in themselves and pursue their passions. It's about being confident, no matter what you look like or where you come from."

Being a woman in the music industry comes with its own set of expectations and stereotypes, and Jess has made it her mission to challenge and redefine them. "Being a Latina, people often expect me to conform to certain images, like being half-naked all the time," she expressed. "But I want to represent something more truthful, humble, and relatable. I want Latin women in Australia to see themselves in me and feel empowered. We can embrace our beauty without conforming to societal expectations." She emphasized the importance of embracing one's true self and not succumbing to external pressures.

As we discussed her musical endeavours, Jess introduced her new single, "Desperada." The song holds a special place in her heart as it takes her back to cherished memories of her childhood en casa with her familia. "Desperada is a sample of the original song from the movie 'Desperado' with Antonio Banderas," she explained. "It reminds me of my grandpa playing the song on his guitar and the emotions it evoked. I added my own lyrics to make it personal and convey the message of perseverance and determination."

Jess Makaveli is an artist on a mission. Her journey is one of resilience, determination, and breaking boundaries. Through her music, she challenges stereotypes, encourages self-acceptance, and empowers Latin women to embrace their unique beauty and talents. She emphasized her desire to be a role model for women of color, especially Hispanic women, and to use her platform to uplift and inspire others. In addition to her music career, Jess also runs her own beauty salon and has aspirations to launch her own tequila brand, further showcasing her multifaceted talents and entrepreneurial spirit. She also teased a surprise freestyle that she plans to drop in July, providing a glimpse into her raw talent and unfiltered creativity.

And to wrap, in response to the question ‘“What does being Latin mean to you?”, Jess responded “Being a Latina to me is being independent. The energy that Latinas have, I feel is very strong and powerful…. being respected and giving respect and being loving….and spicy and all of the pazazz que trae being Latina at the importancy of what it really means.. to be powerful and independently beautiful.”

Looking ahead, Jess shared her aspirations for the future. She expressed her desire to expand her influence beyond music and venture into reality TV to promote her brand and represent the Latin community. She also expressed interest in stand-up comedy, wanting to explore her funny side and bring more Latin representation to the comedic landscape.

We wish you all the best amiga!

Listen to the full interview below.