Renata Flores Has Something To Say, Or Rather, Sing — In Quechua

Peruvian singer/rapper and activist Renata Flores has been one of the major voices advocating for the preservation of the Quechua language for a decade now.

Flores’ cover of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” in Quechua went viral 10 years ago.

Flores only began studying the language at age 13, and as she told “The Economist” in 2021:

“I think people can do much bigger things when they can use their own language. The use of Quechua, for me … is being able to express yourself in a way you feel comfortable.”

Flores subsequently went on to release her first album, where she delved into the past of the Incan empire, discovering stories of fighting women, Andean warriors seeking to have their voices heard, eager to change the history of Peruvian women. She identified with each of them and decided to pay tribute to them on this album.

According to perutravelwithpurpose.com:

Renata Flores isn’t just making music — she’s creating a movement. Her art is a reminder that languages like Quechua aren’t relics of the past but living expressions of identity, resilience and creativity. By blending tradition with modernity, she’s ensuring that the voices of the Andes echo for generations to come.

More recently, Flores released a single last month, “Tigeras II,” as a response to mass protests and government killings in 2022 and 2023.

“There’s something wise that Martin Luther King once said: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,'” she says, adding: “If you live in Peru, you’re noticing that since then, evil has gradually escalated to where we are now.

“I want to tell you that it’s not too late!” she continues. “As citizens, we have the power to bring about change. The only thing we must remember is that we must be united for good causes and never normalize terrible things like murder, no matter where it comes from. It’s time to say ENOUGH!”

Check out that single below.