In a weekly series USA TODAY’s The Essentials, celebrities share what fuels their lives whether it’s at home, on the set or on the road.
With a guardian angelito guiding her, Becky G poured “all the parts of me” into her new album.
“Encuentros,” her second regional Mexican album (out now) and a companion to 2023’s “Esquinas,” is a cathartic project inspired by her Mexican roots and the death of her grandfather Miguel.
“Gaining this angel in heaven was for sure the catalyst of this journey, and ‘Encuentros’ is the continuation of that,” she says. The “Encuentros” artwork also sees the Latin Grammy-nominated singer recreate a vintage family photo in homage to her beloved abuelo.
The Inglewood native likens the album to a darker, “night” version of its predecessor. “We go a little bit deeper, a little bit more emotional,” she says.
True to her word, the 16-track LP illustrates Becky’s return to the soulful brand of regional Mexican that colored “Esquinas” with cutting lyricism and an evocative sound that ranges from angsty corridos tumbados and aching balladry (“Como Diablos,” “Ultima Vez”) to experimental fusions and sprightly cumbia-pop (“Besándote” with Oscar Oritz, “Otro Capitulo”).
Being Mexicana and my culture is something that’s nourished me and has influenced my artistry and just every extension of me in the real world,” Becky says.
Over Zoom, Becky G spilled on her essentials for surviving tour life, from quality time with family to her pre-show drink of choice.
Becky G tour invites fans back to Casa Gomez
Becky is heading back on the road with her Casa Gomez: Otro Capitulo tour. The 18-city trek, kicking off Friday, is a sequel to her 2023 debut headlining tour Mi Casa, Tu Casa, and its intimate feel, which included a neon pink house set.
The concept of it was really for me … I was inviting people into my home. And when I think of my childhood, there was nothing more heartwarming. We share everything: we share our food, we share our drinks, we share our homes.”
“To continue this story with Casa Gomez and for it to expand into other cities for other fans who maybe didn’t get to see us live last tour was really important to me,” Becky added.
Becky G’s trick for avoiding the ‘homesick’ blues on tour
It wouldn’t be Casa Gomez without Becky G’s real-life familia.
“Being Mexicana, I’m a big family person,” says Becky, 27, who has a constant rotation of family members accompanying her on tour. “I get homesick very easily. I’ve been doing this since I was very, very young. I’m the oldest of four kids, and I know I should be this grown adult who’s independent and doesn’t need anybody, but it gets lonely.”
One relative who will be by Becky’s side this fall is her cousin Freddy Quintana, aka Awsumo, who also works as a DJ and opening act for her live shows.
“We’ve been performing together basically since I was born. So, I need Awsumo on the road. He is essential.”
Becky G’s ‘favorite’ preshow ritual involves tequila shots
Before she hits the stage, Becky G prepares a round of shots for her band and dancers, a ritual she affectionately calls her “favorite show warm-up.”
Becky’s go-to drink? Patrón Silver, which the singer knows “like the back of my hand.” She also recently partnered with the spirits brand for its new Cristalino expression.
And when it comes to finding good eats on the road, she likes to keep it classic with “arroz con pollo and frijoles or tacos.”
But she still has a spice for life to indulge — with caution. “I get a little sad ’cause I can’t have a lot of spicy food before a show, so sometimes what I’ll have after shows is sopita in a vaso (cup) with Tapatío and a lot of lemon, which is also really yummy. Especially when you’re on a tour bus and don’t got a lot of options,” she says.
Becky G gets in the zone with this hip-hop legend
You can remove Becky from the block, but you can’t take the block out of Becky.
“I’m a ’90s hip-hop fanatic. It’s funny, it doesn’t matter where we are in the world, you’ll always find Awsumo running around the venue with a little speaker, and you’ll just be hearing in the background ‘Califonia Love,'” Becky G says, half-singing the 2Pac classic. “We bring home wherever we go, which is very important to us.”
This breathing technique to keep Becky G’s pipes ‘super healthy’
Every singer worth their salt knows the importance of breath support. Becky G abides by the Wim Hof Method when preparing for a concert.
“It’s basically like a breathing technique where you eventually find yourself in a breath hold, and I am able to hold my breath for up two minutes, which is really cool,” Becky says.
Created by Dutch athlete and motivational speaker Wim Hof, the method is a wellness regimen that includes using breathwork — a practice involving consciously controlling one’s breathing patterns to address mental, physical and spiritual health concerns.
“It just really resets the nervous system, and it expands your lungs,” Becky says. “And obviously when you’re singing every single night, you have to make sure that your lungs are super healthy.”
Contributing: Ana Connery, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Becky G interview: Singer talks ‘Encuentros’ album, tour essentials
