Diego Cortes: ‘Art can save you from the darkest moments of the migration journey,’
Diego Cortés, a London-based poet, musician, philosopher, and linguist, who goes by the Rap Name Descortés, immigrated to Canada in August 2019. He firmly believes that art is therapeutic. "When nostalgia hits hard, you have your art, your creation to shelter from the emotions. Channeling those thoughts and emotions can create something beautiful”. His songs, which touch on immigration and humanity have been published on social networks and music platforms.
Soon after completing a degree in Hispanic Literature from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Mexico, Deigo moved to London to join his siblings, mother and grandmother. He chose London because it reminds him of his home city of Morelos – it’s close to a big metropolis, with good hospitals, universities, and a vibrant art community. The move to Canada has not been without its price, as he has left family and friends behind, and misses the food and the tropical climate. There have been many compensations though, and here in Canada, he has gained new connections and has been exposed to diverse cultures, flora, and fauna.
Soon after completing a degree in Hispanic Literature from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Mexico, Deigo moved to London to join his siblings, mother and grandmother. He chose London because it reminds him of his home city of Morelos – it’s close to a big metropolis, with good hospitals, universities, and a vibrant art community. The move to Canada has not been without its price, as he has left family and friends behind, and misses the food and the tropical climate. There have been many compensations though, and here in Canada, he has gained new connections and has been exposed to diverse cultures, flora, and fauna.
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About his music, Diego says he is the only musician in his family. He thinks of himself as a rhyme gatherer. “Improvising and rhyming is a state of mind, like some ancient oral traditions,’ he says, “when you are in the zone, the words feel like they are coming from an external source - like you are in a trance.”
Diego focuses on rap improvisation in Spanish. He bends towards more metaphorical idealistic concepts. Sometimes he reflects on concrete ideas, for example, he has written a song about the Canadian environment in four parts – based on the weather. Deigo says, “My city in Mexico is called the city of eternal spring, and that is one thing I have lost – the consistent spring weather. My song explores how Latinos are affected by the four seasons.” He tells me that the Rap genre of music is a huge thing in Mexico, being a part of the urban subculture. For Deigo, having come from the world of humanities and literature, rap is a genre of music where he can express himself through lyrics and words. He says, “Other forms of music tend to use sounds – instrumental music with big solos, but Rap allows me to make sense of all the words that are in my head putting them into order through words, rhymes, schemes.” “An artist community can become your new family,” says Deigo. As a newcomer to London, he joined the local artist collective Simple Reflections where he hoped to find artistic connections, but says Deigo, “I also made profound friendships!” Through this community of local artists, he has collaborated with other local talents such as Big Lou, another hip-hop artist in London. |
Diego Cortés has made waves in the Canadian music scene. Earlier this year, one of his compositions, El Círculo, was featured as a top-three “song of the week” on CBC London Radio. This clip qualified Descortés /Diego for the 2024 Forest City London Music Awards nomination under the Latin category. In November 2022, he won second place in the first national Hispanic rap improvisation competition in Canada, which took place in Vancouver.
The great German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who lived almost 200 years ago, has greatly influenced Diego. He says, “Even though Schopenhauer is remote from me in time, space, and culture, his writing resonates with me—his ideas are valid today as some of the most fundamental aspects of humanity remain consistent throughout history.” Another major influence is the Chilean rapper Deigo Torres, who goes by the rap name “Chymstemc.”
The multi-talented young man pursues an alternative career as a medical interpreter, drawing deeply on his empathetic side when translating Spanish and Italian to English. His goal is to be a multi-lingual conference interpreter.
Deigo’s advice to newcomers is to take advantage of the many opportunities that Canada has to offer. “Canada allows you to target your passions and gives you the platform to grow into them,” he says. He ascribes to the philosophy of Ikigai. “It is a Japanese concept”, he explains, “which gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living”. “In practice,” he continues, “it is something you love, you are great at, that the world needs, and you get paid for it. So, my advice is – find your Ikigai.”
On defining success as a musician, Deigo says “I would like to inspire others, if just one person sees my videos and says I too can do that, then I have succeeded.”
Check out Diego's work on:
Spotify
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
The great German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who lived almost 200 years ago, has greatly influenced Diego. He says, “Even though Schopenhauer is remote from me in time, space, and culture, his writing resonates with me—his ideas are valid today as some of the most fundamental aspects of humanity remain consistent throughout history.” Another major influence is the Chilean rapper Deigo Torres, who goes by the rap name “Chymstemc.”
The multi-talented young man pursues an alternative career as a medical interpreter, drawing deeply on his empathetic side when translating Spanish and Italian to English. His goal is to be a multi-lingual conference interpreter.
Deigo’s advice to newcomers is to take advantage of the many opportunities that Canada has to offer. “Canada allows you to target your passions and gives you the platform to grow into them,” he says. He ascribes to the philosophy of Ikigai. “It is a Japanese concept”, he explains, “which gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living”. “In practice,” he continues, “it is something you love, you are great at, that the world needs, and you get paid for it. So, my advice is – find your Ikigai.”
On defining success as a musician, Deigo says “I would like to inspire others, if just one person sees my videos and says I too can do that, then I have succeeded.”
Check out Diego's work on:
Spotify
YouTube
RSS Feed