WATCH: Singer-Songwriter Erika Ender on Vulnerability and Hope in Tough Times
This episode continues our video series to benefit the wonderful Mighty Writers, a Philadelphia-based non-profit that teaches reading and writing to thousands of low-income and marginalized students every year and is seeing more need than ever during the pandemic (head here to learn more). We’ve been asking singer-songwriters about their writing and reading lives—their influences, writing habits, favorite books—and while they’re at it, to play us a song or two. Check out earlier episodes with Amanda Shires with Jason Isbell, Marcus Roberts, Jewel, Phil Augusta Jackson, Devon Gilfillian, Valerie June, and Rhett Miller.
*
This episode features Erika Ender, a Panamanian singer, songwriter and actress. With a very successful singing career in her own right, Ender is also considered one of the most important and prolific composers in the Latin music market today. She is the co-author of the widely-renowned song, “Despacito” along with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
Today she tells a little about her history with songwriting, artists that have influenced her, as well as treats us to a song. Ender’s new album MP3-45 is coming out November 13, but you can get a sneak peek at the first music video here.
From the episode:
The most recent song I wrote was “Demasiado Frágiles”; that means “so vulnerable.” It was recently recorded by Gloria Trevi, who is a very famous artist in Mexico and all over Latin America. It talks about how vulnerable we are. We think we are so strong and then we start building walls and fighting against teach other, and we’ve been at war several times, and then at the end, just a virus can change our lives in the way that it is. This is a moment for introspection, and vulnerability, and using our heart as a positive weapon.
