Nuevo Culture

PREMIERE: Betomonte & Monno Briceño Reach New Heights With “Óyeme” Solo Debut

Betomonte, the Latin Grammy-nominated Venezuelan singer and front man for Rawayana, together with frequent collaborator Monno Briceño, bassist for La Vida Boheme, are reaching new heights with their single “Óyeme,” premiering today (Sep. 8) exclusively on Remezcla. The track marks the artists making their debut as soloists, and also features Big Soto, Rawayana, and Eric Chacón on the bill.

“Óyeme” is an experimental ode to ‘90s hip-hop that brings lo-fi to the hangeo. “We chose [Óyeme] as the first single because it shows a lot of the influence that ‘90s hip-hop had during this stage of our lives,” Briceño tells Remezcla via email. “We are fans of the genre, but in none of our main projects, Rawayana and La Vida Boheme, have we been able to apply it in such a direct way.”

“This track and EP for me is a simple creative exercise [I did] together with Monno during the pandemic,” says Betomonte, who also shared that the track will be the soundtrack for his upcoming Broccoli lifestyle fashion brand. “Since we were all home and unable to go out, we sent the track to Big Soto, and he jumped on it. It’s definitely a creative throwback to the early and crazy global pandemic days when nothing was known about COVID.”

The concept for the visualizer was inspired by the title of their upcoming EP, Picos y Valleys. In the minimalist clip, the duo vibes out on a mountaintop filmed at the Naiguatá peak at Ávila National Park in Caracas, Venezuela. “We climbed with cameras and equipment to the highest point of the city of Caracas to reflect the side of the peaks,” says Betomonte. 

“In addition to showing a little bit of where we come from, this took us a hike of more than 10 hours uphill with 20 kilogram backpacks full of equipment and camping on the top of the mountain for one night,” Briceño explains.

Betomonte is having a busy year with Rawayana. The group made their debut at Lollapalooza Chicago over the summer and they’re gearing up for more shows, including stints at the Pineapple Ball Fest in the Dominican Republic, III Points Festival in Miami, and Webster Hall in New York City. Rawayana’s tour will then hit up Europe, Puerto Rico, and Latin America. 

Betomonte and Monno Briceño’s EP Picos y Valleys will be released on Sep. 23, via Broccoli Records and ADA.

Watch the premiere of “Óyeme” now exclusively on Remezcla.