Maluca

New York City's Maluca just got her chance – and she fully intends to take advantage of it. Born Natalie Ann Yepez to Dominican immigrants, the 27-year-old dance music act just signed with Mad Decent records, the label run by Diplo – the DJ-producer who helped forward-thinking artists M.I.A. and Santigold go global. We swapped emails with the self-described "half Dominican, half pain-in-the-ass" singer about her crazy style, her love for cumbias and the definition of "El Tigeraso."

What was the first music that blew your mind?

My father used to be a DJ in the '70s and '80s. When I was kid he worked at [the record label] Delicious Vinyl with artists like Tone Loc, Samantha Fox and the Jungle Brothers. He put me on to so much new and old stuff. I remember listening to "The Mexican" (by Babe Ruth) for the first time. I think I was about 11. I remember thinking what is this? And just wanting to listen to it over and over. The song was so bananas! I remember feeling "cool," like my dad let me be part of a special club, 'cause I knew my friends weren't listening to this stuff.

Where does the name Maluca come from?

The name Maluca in Spanish is a derivative of "Mala" which means bad or mean girl. In Portuguese though, a Maluca means a crazy or mischievous girl. My tio Carlito called me this as a child cause I was always getting into trouble and I was a real sassy 'lil thang. And he would say things like, "Maluca get dressed, we're going to Copacabana!" I would get all excited but I was like six years old so that wasn't gonna happen!

What are your influences, musically and lyrically?

My favorite genres of music are disco and house! Although hip hop, R&B, reggae, salsa, drum & bass, merengue, cumbia, bachata and freestyle also played a big role in what I'm doing now. This was the music I grew up on – the soundtrack to my life. I like sounds that are raw and minimal but with crazy vocals. And I like artists who are honest, witty and don't take themselves too seriously. ESG is my favorite band. Every time I get stuck writing or producing I always go back to them. Keep it honest, fun, minimal. Less is more.

Lyrically, I think Suga Free is one of the baddest MC's. I like that West Coast flow and twang. His cadence is really unbelievable! Oh and Tego Calderón kills it... all the time! I also can't live with out the Savannah Band, Erykah Badu, anything from Fania Allstars, Oro Solido, Wu-Tang, Nina Simone, Gil Scott Heron, Liquid Liquid, Fiona Apple, Prince, Lisa Lisa, Outkast... aaiiiiyyeee mama and anything house!

How did you hook up with Diplo?

I met Wes (Diplo) – I think in 2007 – at this bar I used to work at called 205 Club. It was karaoke night. We did a Beastie Boys song together. And we just stayed cool ever since. We would send each other cool riddims and YouTube stuff via email and eventually "El Tigeraso" was born. Yay! At one point he suggested me being in a heavy metal merengue band, ha! We'll see, Wes!

What's up with "El Tigeraso"?

Dominicans call the bad boys on the corner who are up to no good – but who have mad swag – Tigeres. "El Tigeraso" is the game or swag. Growing up, I would go visit my cousins or grandma Uptown. Back then, you couldn't get from one corner to the next without those "Tigeres" trying to holler at you. It was kinda outta control. Especially if you walked down Broadway. So the song "El Tigeraso" is poking fun at that whole situation. When I say "throwing all that Tigeraso in air," I mean: "You're throwing so much game at me (literally it's in the air... kinda like a fog) that I can't even get to next corner. Wassup wit that?"

How do you describe your music? Does your Dominican heritage play into it?

Well I'm not quite sure. Experimental tropical punk, ghettotech and hip-house? I dunno, it's just dance music. Yeah, that's it! I think I'm still messing around with sounds. My Dominican heritage plays a huge part in everything I do but in regards to music, I'm reppin' for all Latinos, from Brazilians to Bolivians to Cubans. I'm just about to finish this crazy punta track. I would also like to do a cumbia and mambo gaga track.

I feel like there is a lot separatism and racism among the Latin community which is something I never really understood. So I'm not just trying to rep for one country or one sound. It was def not intentional to go down this road of tropical music. It just happened organically. I also have a house track and break beat that I'm working on. Ultimately, all the sounds I'm messing with is an ode to NYC and all the cool stuff I learned from her.

How was SXSW?

Well, someone came up to me after my set at the Fader Fort and said: "Your set made me happy... it put me in a good mood!" I feel like all the hard work I put into doing those shows paid off! To see folks from Carajo Land, Ohio, who wouldn't normally listen to Spanish rhythms, do a 'lil merengue with me... well, it really doesn't get any better than that!

Your style and fashion sense seems very DIY.

My music and my style is a mash up of everything. For example, the concept for my performnace at the Mad Decent show in Texas was "Frida Khalo goes to a rave in the Tropics." I find inspiration in the most unusual places. All my crazy visions just can't be bought in a store. It's not pre-made, so I just try to manifest it myself. I like putting work into it. I feel like everything that is store-bought doesn't really give people style or personality.

Growing up, everything that I wasn't suppose to do, say, or touch, I did! I think that's my approach to music and fashion, to do things that I'm "not supposed to do." Why can't I put these patterns together or these sounds together? Who says so? Aww, f**k it, I'm gonna try it anyway!

You're a big cumbia fan. Why are cumbias becoming "cool" again?

Well, I used to go to cumbia clubs in Queens when I was in high school. My Mexican homegirl would take us. I would be the only Dominican girl up in there. We had so much fun at those parties! To be honest, I'm not quite sure why things pop off. It's something in the universe... I think people are just open and ready to hear and feel it!

Visit Maluca on MySpace: myspace.com/malucamala