For five years Montreal-based music producer and DJ Estēvan, born Steven Valvasori, has split his time between the Quebec hotspot and San Juan, Puerto Rico—a journey that has unlocked a vibrant new sonic world and birthed a thrilling amalgamation of sounds, as embodied in his latest enchanting three-track EP, AFROLATINO.
Those familiar with Estēvan’s journey will know that music has long been a part of his DNA. Since the tender age of 14, when he started his journey in DJing, Estēvan’s relationship with music hasn’t ceased, culminating into his earliest music production endeavor at the age of 15. As one of the co-founders of the band Nöstravé, which enjoyed an exciting run around European stages, including an unforgettable performance at Finland’s Weekend Festival in 2014, Estēvan found his footing in the music landscape.
However, it was the dissolution of Nöstravé in 2017 that plotted a new course for Estēvan’s artistic journey. He packed his bags, and a new chapter began 180 miles southeast of his Ottawa birthplace. In Montreal, Estēvan found a niche to focus on his solo career—a point of departure from a group dynamic to a personal musical exploration. His boldest venture, however, blossomed in 2018, as he started splitting his time and thus fusing the unique flavors of Montreal and San Juan.
The hours spent soaking up Puerto Rico’s rich culture and music scene broke open an artistic floodgate for Estēvan, integrating an enthralling Latin urban vibe into his music. It also opened new pathways of collaboration, including an exciting partnership with Puerto Rican songwriting maestro Derek Novah. This creative alliance blossomed into AFROLATINO, a three-song EP launched in August 2023. Acting as a sonic bridge between Afrobeats and Latin urban music, this project embodied Estēvan’s innovative approach to music-making and his dedication to breaking cultural and musical borders.
AFROLATINO is more than a successful culmination of Estēvan’s musical evolution; it’s a bold statement of his ambition to carry music across borders allowing him to explore diverse cultures. And the journey is far from over. Estēvan’s itinerary is set to include a promotional tour through South America, and then, Africa—his next wellspring for musical inspiration, particularly in Spanish Afrobeats.
Estēvan’s role extends beyond being a musician or a DJ – he is essentially a cultural ambassador, charged with the stewardship of global sounds, where he is not just creating music, but also sparking conversations, and blurring geographical boundaries with the universal language of rhythms and beats. His creative vision dovetails with an empowered narrative for the Afro-Latino community, in collaboration with Black Equals Beauty, a modelling agency helmed by Juli Nazario. This ongoing alliance continues to underscore the range and depth of Afro-Latino citizens in Latin America.
Open to collaborative opportunities with local talent in South America and Africa, Estēvan has his sights set on an array of creative endeavours. For fans, expect more heartfelt global harmonies, stunning visualizers teeming with Afro-Latina models, and concerts that promise to be much more than mere shows. Stay tuned for tour dates soon.
At its core, AFROLATINO is a heady mix of Afrobeats and Reggaeton—an Afro-inspired Spanish project piquing curiosity for first-time listeners and assuring them a rendezvous full of good vibes and contagious dance energy. Estēvan’s music extends an invitation to feel—to experience a rousing kaleidoscope of emotions, in the process confirming the old adage: music, indeed, is food for the soul.
Music enthusiasts, rejoice! Estēvan’s digital hubs are a goldmine for anyone looking to connect, explore, or simply lose themselves in his art. His Instagram is a canvas of inspiration and creativity, while his YouTube channel serves as a portal to the mesmerizing world of his music. And let’s not forget about the crown jewel – the “AFROLATINO” EP, which awaits your ears right here.
