PJ Sin Suelahas had one of the busiest years of his career.
The perennial fan-favorite inPuerto Ricostarted his career more than a decade ago on Soundcloud.
By 2018, he was teaming up with Bad Bunny and charting on Billboard.
A busy year, indeed.
Still, not everything went as planned.
But through it all, PJ is finding ways to stay positive and to keep inspiring others.
You dont need to be a politician to make change, he says.
it’s possible for you to start with yourself.
How hopeful did you allow yourself to get?Too much.
But its hard to go up against these parties that have been in control for 70 years.
[Our generation], they say hurricane.
When [Hurricanes] Irma and Maria came, I only sort of protected my house.
I board everything up, because I lived that.
And I think in part thats why they keep trying to sell our land, piece by piece.
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I know people who wrote my name in!
That makes lines longer and move slower.We vote in rundown schools, with zinc ceilings in high temperatures.
There were lots of voting machine irregularities, and issues sending the results to the main hub via satellite.
Its been two months since your album came out.
How do you feel about the way your fans have responded to it?Its been beautiful.
Im really happy, man.
This album is very special.
I think its a timeless album, because of the variety of music and the themes it touches.
Whats been the most surprising reaction that youve heard?Escuchame, withChuwi.
And Im telling her that I havent forgotten, that Im here for her.
That brings me to my next question, actually.
None of his family came for the wedding because they didnt want him to marry a Puerto Rican.
And he had Trump stickers on his car, and Id rip them off.
Id say I got my extroverted side from him.
Our family get-togethers ended with my grandfather drunk and playing Frank Sinatra songs on the piano.
He was a character.
I wrote the song the day he died, but before I found out hed died.
I finished the song, and then my dad called me with the news.
But I was ready for his passing.
He lived life to its fullest.
Not a lot of people know that.
Theres no specialists up there, and youd have to travel an hour or more to reach one.
And these elderly are alone; most of their family moved away after Maria.
Youre a doctor, an activist, an artist, three roles with big responsibilities.
I always say theres no formula.
Over time, you develop the discipline.
But theres no formula.
Discipline, consistency, and patience.I have a schedule.
Because thats also my job: to write and create music.
But discipline is important.
LeBron is LeBron because hes in the gym two to three times a day.
All these successful rappers, thats how they get to where they are.
You cant be like Oh yeah, Ill go to the studio once a week.
You gotta put in the time.
