From competing on the X Factor to engineering Cardi B’s 11x platinum single ‘I Like It’ to earning a Grammy nomination, Simone Torres boasts a TON of experience. Now, she’s dedicated to empowering other women in her community to do the same.
A Grammy nomination is many musicians’ dream. As is studying at Berklee College of Music, and working with some of pop music’s biggest names. Simone Torres has done all three.
Born in Long Island, New York, Torres is a Puerto Rican vocal producer, engineer, and artist.
Praised for her contributions to Cardi B’s 11x platinum single ‘I Like It’ and 3x platinum single ‘Be Careful’ whilst still in her early 20s, as well as being awarded ‘Leading Lady in Entertainment’ by the Latin Recording Academy, Torres is truly living out her dream.
When she’s not in the studio , she spends her time uplifting other women in music.
One of her notable efforts is her involvement in the non-profit organisation ‘She Is The Music’. This movement intended to empower female creators by providing resources and support to women wanting to pursue music.
She also founded the organisation ‘Soundtrack Mixers’ where she hosts community-building events for women and nonbinary people in music tech.
She said:
“There are still challenges, but I think it’s getting much better. I’ve recently met so many more Latina women in music and we fiercely support each other. Since we represent a small percentage and we’re so spread out so it’s very easy to feel lonely. That’s why I started Soundtrack Mixers.”
Whilst she now enjoys the artistic freedom of making her own music, navigating the intricacies of the music scene wasn’t always plain sailing:
“Growing up singing in weddings and at restaurants, it took me a while to find my own sound because I was so used to imitating others. I used to hate that my voice didn’t sound like other people’s but now I am so happy that it doesn’t.”
Torres went on to study for an engineering degree alongside music business, despite having no prior interest in music tech.
It is through this she found a true passion – vocal production.
“My skill set had built up over time and I felt perfectly made for it,” she says.
“Having had bad experiences in the studio before, I wanted to help create a better environment for other artists. I act as a translator between what the artist communicates with me in plain language and what needs to be done technically.”
Across the pond, she has also worked with some British artists such as Little Mix and Jessie J.
In what Torres calls “the power of oestrogen and friendship”, she enlisted the help of her friends, Latina directing duo ‘SVN QNS’ and all girls dance team ‘USC Xpressions Dance Company’ to work on the music video for her single ‘BENT’.
“I hoped that through doing this I could create more visibility and space for Latina creatives so that I could lift my community with me. I didn’t want it to just be my dream becoming a reality.”
In Torres’ words, BENT is a song about stepping into your power and not being afraid to be multifaceted.
She said: “I want to encourage other women to not be digestible and minimise themselves just to fit into someone else’s idea of them. It’s good to take up space. Don’t be afraid to be big and to do multiple things. I stopped singing for five years because people insisted I couldn’t do both, so BENT is my answer to that.”
Torres continued: “I hope my music can make other people feel seen and encourage them to leave toxic situations. We often pour so much into other people but don’t give ourselves the same importance.”
Torres also recalls how she’d like to release her projects in Spanish as well.
“I like posting my vocal production videos because of the messages I get from young women about how they didn’t know it was an option for them – like, I didn’t know it was an option for me, either!”
“That’s why when it comes to the tech side, I put myself front-facing. I think it’s important for young, especially Latina, women to see themselves represented.
“If we don’t see it, we can’t be it, and that’s why we need visibility.”
Image from: https://www.gofugyourself.com/photos/latin-grammys-2023/24th-annual-latin-grammy-awards-arrivals-18
