Stephanie Acosta performing
Stephanie Acosta performing

  The beautiful thing about music is that it evolves while transparently displaying its roots. The process changes, the dialect changes, yet somehow the DNA is always present in some way. Both deeply personal and communal in its celebration, music and the artists who create it have a great deal asked of them. Stephanie Acosta finds this challenge intuitive rather than oppressive. As a music artist and engineer who has spent a fair amount of her life in different countries, she expects to navigate different situations with her own brand of creativity and skill. She remarks, “As a Latin musician and vocalist, my versatility has been a key factor in my career, which is something that often gets recognized. In the Latin music industry, singers are commonly expected to navigate various genres, from salsa and merengue to bachata and beyond. The ability to adapt vocally to different styles is essential and I think my capability to perform these diverse genres, combined with my formal training, allows producers and other artists to trust that I can deliver the vocal style and quality he needed for their projects.” This has been proven true time and time again through Ms. Acosta’s work with many of the most exciting and celebrated artists and groups such as Los Rumberos, Latin Grammy Award–Winner Tony Succar, and Latin Grammy Award–Nominated band Rawayana. 

Stephanie (2nd from left) at the Latin Grammy Notable Spotify Leading Ladies Event
Stephanie (2nd from left) at the Latin Grammy Notable Spotify Leading Ladies Event

  Stephaine has long been a fan of Venezuelan band Rawayana’s blend of funky multi-style pop music which fuses salsa with reggae. When Beto Montenegro (the group’s lead singer) approached her to contribute vocals to the song “Game Over” during their most recent recording session, Ms. Acosta happily agreed. Donning sunglasses to get into the playful spirit of “Game Over”, Stephanie’s vocal performance infused a carefree energy into this song which uses humor and irony to celebrate closure. These captivating vocals, combined with the infectious energy of the instrumentation Rawayana is so known for manifests a tone of liberating emotion with anthemic, communal feel that invites the listener to cast worries aside and join in the fun. This was easy to access for Ms. Acosta who states, “As someone who is part Venezuelan and a musician, Rawayana has been one of my top musical influences and inspirations throughout my career. I’ve always admired the freedom with which they blend multiple Latin genres, creating fresh fusions that resonate deeply with their youthful audience. Their ability to incorporate everything from funk to Afrobeat to urban sounds makes their music versatile and enjoyable for a wide range of listeners. As a producer, I love analyzing their grooves, beats, and vocal production, all of which make their sound unique and captivating. When I think of Rawayana, I associate their music with tropical vibes, parties, and the warmth of family vacations—an atmosphere that reflects joy and togetherness.”

  After being captivated by Stephanie performance at a Latin Grammy event, Gammy–Nominated artist and producer Tony Succar enlisted Stephanie to contribute background vocals for his new project for Mexican musical group Los Rumberos. The mutual respect in the music community is never taken lightly by Acosta who notes, “One of my top musical role models has always been Tony Succar. It’s incredibly impressive how he balances being a talented musician and artist with being a knowledgeable producer and engineer. Watching him manage his own artist projects, collaborate with other musicians, and lead studio sessions shows how much teamwork is at the heart of the music industry. Tony exemplifies a fully rounded musician who plays live shows one night and is back in the studio the next morning, leading the way on his next project. What makes him stand out even more is how genuine and kind he is—something that’s also reflected in his family, which is rare and admirable in this industry.” Stephanie also has production and engineering skills in common with Succar and was invited to contribute as an engineer on this particular session. Getting a nod of confidence from Latin Grammy Award–Winning producer/artist Succar reinforces Stephanie’s belief in the community of music artists as she imparts, “There was a palpable love for the music and a shared passion during the Los Rumberos sessions. From his Pro Tools session organization to his seamless transitions between being the producer and the artist within the same session, I learned so much from Tony on this session. His productivity and time management were key lessons I took away, and this experience was transformative for me as both an artist and an engineer.”

Writer : Basil Thomson