Photo by Daniel Bomb.
Bebo Dumont spent many years making a name for himself as a collaborator before breaking out solo. But one Latin Grammy (for Best Alternative Music Album as a producer and musician on the album Sobrevolando by Culture Profética) and one Grammy (for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for ¿Quién trae las cornetas? by Rawayana as a producer, musician, and guest artist) later, he’s releasing his long-awaited debut EP, El Que No Llora No Mama.
El Que No Llora No Mama covers various tropical and moving genres like bachata and R&B. While the title translates to “baby that doesn’t cry doesn’t get any milk,” it’s often told in the spirit of “closed mouth don’t get fed.” In this case, though, Bebo views it more as “whoever doesn’t cry doesn’t grow.” The EP soulfully traces the story of a man taking stock of his past actions and ruminating on what changes he can make to be happier.
“The theme of the EP is giving yourself permission to be vulnerable. It’s a plea for help from your feelings,” says Bebo. “You tried to create something with [a partner], but because of your own patterns, your immaturity, you never appreciated them like you should. And now you’re looking back and analyzing, thinking, ‘Why does the same thing keep happening to me?’ And you start recognizing those patterns, why they exist, and where they come from.”
Starring actor Bryan Lebrón as his character, the clown Brayito, the EP is accompanied by seven corresponding visualizers. Though Bebo didn’t intend to make a concept album, he noticed “a conversation,” as he notes, started to take shape after sitting with the songs. “I see myself as that sad clown who has to always be smiling, entertaining, and giving to others, but he doesn’t take care of himself and isn’t communicating what he’s actually feeling,” says Bebo. “I want to be better every day, and learn to love myself more so that from that self-love I can be able to give other people the love they deserve. And that way, have healthier relationships, with no ego.”
Here, Bebo shares his playlist inspired by his journey of self-love, reflection, and healing, and hopes El Que No Llora No Mama pushes others to take the same advice.
“This is the EP’s flagship song. I feel it’s the most important song of the project, and perhaps the most important I’ve made so far. It was the first one I wanted to release because it promotes a very important conversation we need to have with ourselves about self-love.”
“This song from Tyler’s most recent album shook me as soon as I heard it. The way he places such an intimate theme over the instrumental directly inspired me to want to tackle a similar topic, and immediately afterward, I sat down to write ‘QUIERO QUERERTE.’”
“A song that always, always accompanies me through my processes. When I have my doubts, in my lowest moments, it reminds me that my heart will heal… Thank you, Maestro Drexler!”
“The last memory I have of me crying (not while watching a movie) was listening to this song. I hadn’t listened to it in years, and one random day I put it on, and inevitably, the tears started flowing… it will always have a special place in my heart.”
“I’ve always loved Goldlink, ever since I heard his first album—especially this song—because it’s so honest and he’s not afraid to express his truth, whether he paints it in a positive light or not. For me, that’s very inspiring and liberating.”
“Kendrick will always be a reference point and an inspiration in my music. In this song, I feel like he opened up in a very intimate and private way, which inspired me to dare to put more of my life into my songs, and to explore that connection with the audience through my own stories.”
“When we made this song with Los Rawa, it was a really beautiful and personal moment in which we talked about very personal situations we were going through at the time. I feel that those moments stayed with me in my heart, and I turn to them when I seek inspiration in situations that, I feel, could inspire others to tell their stories.”
Check out the full playlist on Apple Music and Spotify.
