Many who left, not knowing when they would return,would take tiles of the artwork.
Cruz-Diezs work remains chipped in places to this day, a brokenness Ocean wanted to highlight.
Songs like the euphoric romance Dime Tu (Tell Me) imagine a free Venezuela.
Luis Alejandro Marquez*
Youve been active on socials talking about the situation in Venezuela since the election.
How are you holding up, on a personal level?A ton of anxiety and uncertainty.
Its difficult, because you dont want to step on the toes of her message.
I feel so [powerless], but I also feel more firm than ever.
Im wondering if the albums meaning has changed for you since then.I wouldnt say it has.
Each song has its own story.
Venezuelans deserve change, and deserve better than what theyve had these past 25 years.
Its an album that speaks to our peoples exodus.
That song in particular really struck me.
Theres a lyric where you speak directly to the regime: Ill trade you justice for peace.
Make a peaceful transition happen, let the people thrive without you.
I had seven stars, and you took eight.
They took more than what we had to begin with.
The cover really affected me, too: the broken floor at Maiquetia Airport.Its a huge symbol of farewells.
Its also a symbol of arrivals, but its still broken.
Its like seeing the flag upside down… and the colors.
I see them and the black is mourning.
Its the struggle we continue to go through.
Theres a lot in that image.
Venezuela is one of the countries in the world with the most refugees in other countries.
Its not something to be taken lightly.
I wanted to amplify the pain were all living through in the EP.
When did you leave Venezuela?I left in 2015.
What do you miss most?Honestly, being able to be in my streets calmly.
To just be in my country, with my people and my culture, with my family and friends.
Thats what I miss the most: being able to enjoy a moment with my friends.
I wrote that song after leaving Venezuela recently.
I went back last year, and had my equipment to make music but I couldnt get myself to.
I was observing everything, trying to digest my feelings.
It was definitely the most complex one for me to write.
This March, I was able to go back for the first time in sixteen years.
There was even a lot of cultural movement happening.
Artists likeKarol GandTokischawere playing shows in Caracas, and Venezuelan musicians likeDevendra BanhartandArcawere playing hometown shows after years away.
The people deserve it, and they dont deserve what theyre living through.
It doesnt feel fair to sing that song while my country is in the state its in.
They dont have electricity, they dont have water.
Whats happening right now in the streets is so painful.
I really do think its our role if were not in Venezuela right now to keep exposing the truth.
Im holding on to hope that theres going to be a strategy and that things will actually change.
After the election results were announced, I saw Venezuela more unified than ever.
That gives me hope.
This interview was translated and edited for clarity.
