‘We’re tired’: Danny Ocean channels pain over his native Venezuela with his music
Someone in Miami, please take Danny Ocean out for an arepa or something.
The Venezuelan singer born Daniel Morales Reyes is homesick, and missing the food.
“I hear they’re doing some amazing things at Caracas Bakery, but I’ve never been,” Ocean says from a home in Stillwater, shooting a promo for Cotopaxi sustainable backpacks. “I’m craving that cuisine right now.”
The “Me Rehúso” singer’s English is so perfect, sprinkled with colloquial phrases like “cool” and “yeah, man,” the average person would have no idea where he’s from.
That’s thanks to his mother, who worked for the Venezuelan embassy: Due to her job, Ocean was raised between the Caribbean and Namibia, South Africa.
These days, the 32 year old, who left his country in 2015, splits his time between Mexico City and Miami. But his heart is home.
Of course, going back is just a dream for now. After Nicolás Maduro’s contested claim of victory in July’s election, the political situation is a tumultuous, dangerous mess.
But one can hope, and he does. Ocean’s new EP is called “Venequia,” the slang term for what Venezuela became after Hugo Chávez’s presidency, and it’s dedicated to his peeps, who continued to fight against the regime.
READ MORE: Five Americans arrested in Venezuela in alleged CIA plot against Maduro
“Venezuela has always been my biggest source of inspiration, and the elections were coming up,” he says of his creative process for his latest project. “I had a bunch of songs I wanted to put out there to help the world understand the pain we are going through.”
Since Maduro came to power, the United Nations estimates that approximately 7.7 million individuals fled as the economy collapsed.
“We’re basically one of the most displaced people around the world,” Ocean says.
Granted, life is less chaotic in the States. But still the pop star worries constantly, poring over social media and the latest headlines.
“We’re tired, and it’s not fair and it’s not correct,” he says. “We just want to have a chance to feel free and love freely without being oppressed or afraid.”
Things Ocean misses most (beside the local grub)? Family and friends who remain. The artist can’t reveal who they are “due to security reasons.”
“My album is a love letter to them,” says the YouTuber. “About leaving somebody behind by necessity, not by choice.”
Ocean’s music keeps him busy, fulfilled, not to mention very popular. He’s currently on a North American tour (the next 305 date is Nov. 2 at Bayfront Park downtown). He’s also set to appear at the Billboard Latin Music Awards at The Fillmore, hobnobbing with the likes of J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Karol G, Oct. 20.
“This issue with my country obviously has my head in another place,” Ocean admits. “But I’m still young, got energy, and just trying to have fun and enjoy the ride.”
READ MORE: Opinion: The sad legacy of corruption in Venezuela
This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 4:30 AM.
