An experience that changed my way of seeing life
In 2014, I had the opportunity to live in Costa Rica, a period that shaped my life in many ways. Besides experiencing firsthand the excitement felt throughout the country when Costa Rica's national team reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Brazil, I also discovered a place whose natural beauty completely changed my way of seeing the world.
During that time, I lived in Purral de Guadalupe, Ipís, Coronado, and Moravia. Its mountains, cool climate, and landscapes full of vegetation made me understand how immense the world is and how small we are within it. Those memories remain present in my mind and profoundly influenced my way of thinking.
My first professional encounter with music
It was also in Costa Rica that I began my music studies at Escuela Vonkelemen. There, I met musicians from different Central American countries, especially El Salvador, who broadened my vision of the region's cultural and artistic wealth. That stage awakened in me a constant curiosity to discover new talent and different ways of expressing music.
Over the years, I continued exploring artists from different genres, but it was in 2026 that I was once again surprised by the talent that exists in Costa Rica.
Discovering Hemkel
It was then that I found the music of Hemkel, a Costa Rican artist whose approach caught my attention from the first song I heard. What stands out most about his work is not just the musical quality, but the depth of his lyrics.
His compositions invite reflection on life, existence, and what often remains hidden among our thoughts. At a time when much of music seeks immediacy, it is refreshing to find an artist committed to writing with substance and meaning.
A style reminiscent of Canserbero
While listening to his songs, I could not help remembering Tirone José González Orama, known worldwide as Canserbero. Both share a way of writing that seeks to awaken awareness, question reality, and explore deep emotions.
It is not about claiming they are the same or comparing them as artists, but about recognizing that there is a similar philosophy behind many of their lyrics: using music as a space to reflect on life and the human condition.
A touch of literature in his compositions
That way of building his songs also made me think of Rubén Darío, considered the prince of Spanish-language letters. Although they belong to completely different contexts, there is a common element: the ability to use words to evoke emotions and leave the reader or listener thinking long after the work ends.
Costa Rica keeps surprising me
Every time I discover artists such as Hemkel I remember that period I lived in Costa Rica. It was not only a country where I grew as a person and began my musical training, but also a place that continues to demonstrate the enormous quality of its musicians and composers.
After more than a decade, I continue finding reasons to admire Costa Rican talent. And when that talent is accompanied by lyrics that invite reflection, the result is a musical experience worth sharing.
Have you listened to Hemkel yet? If you do not know him yet, I recommend spending a few minutes listening to his songs and paying attention to his lyrics. Sometimes, a good composition can make us see the world from a completely different perspective.
