Tiny Desk, an initiative by NPR Music, is honoring Latinx Heritage Month with an ‘El Tiny’ takeover, featuring a diverse array of artists from the Latinx community. Among them is Ivy Queen, a prominent figure in the reggaeton genre, who graced the intimate El Tiny stage.
Ivy Queen, known as “La Caballota,” brought her unique blend of humor and authenticity to the performance. Lighting a candle featuring Bad Bunny at an El Tiny altar dedicated to reggaeton, she playfully joked, “La gente tiene la patita del conejo / y yo tengo a Benito completo” (“People have the rabbit’s foot / I have all of Benito”).
With a career dating back to the ’90s, Ivy Queen has consistently embodied a strong sense of self and a commitment to representing women in her music. In her song “La Vida es Así,” she highlighted the societal judgments faced by women, delivering a powerful message with conviction.
Reflecting on her journey, Ivy Queen emphasized her innate talent and self-assuredness, stating, “Yo sabía que a mi no había que darmela porque yo la tenía” (“I knew that it didn’t have to be given to me because I had it”).
In a profound moment during her performance, Ivy Queen directly addressed women, asserting their right to happiness, self-evolution, and self-protection: “Tenemos derecho a ser feliz, tenemos derecho a cambiar, a cuidarnos, a protegernos” (“We have the right to be happy, we have the right to change, to take care of ourselves, to protect ourselves”).
Concluding her set with the energetic “Quiero Bailar,” Ivy Queen’s performance echoed with urgency and relevance, resonating just as powerfully as it did two decades ago. Her message remains steadfast: this is for the girls, an empowering anthem that Ivy Queen has championed throughout her career.
