Meme by Pepe Guevara

Café Tacvba’s Meme Debuts Solo Project with Transformative Single “Princesa”

Emmanuel “Meme” del Real, beloved member of iconic Mexican band Café Tacvba, is embarking on a bold solo journey, unveiling his debut single, “Princesa”. Known for his heartfelt vocals on Tacvba’s timeless hit “Eres” from the Grammy-winning Cuatro Caminos, Meme is now ready to explore a deeply personal and innovative side of his artistry. The single debuts alongside a cinematic music video, directed by Latin-GRAMMY winning Gregory Allen, in locations in Valle de Bravo, Cuatro Ciénegas in Coahuila and Todos Santos in Baja California Sur. Allen describes the visuals as an exploration of “the universal silence from which this song was born.” He adds, “The emptiness of a city at night, smeared with the echoes of daily life and scarred by time… It’s the energy of a place or a moment that deserves the time you give it, that honors its beauty. Meme’s fractured, unplanned dance takes on form and expresses the music as only he can. It’s for all the princesses and princes born out of the universe who chose us, their parents, to run with them for a while in this creative cosmic dance.

 

This creative leap began five years ago when Meme left the chaos of Mexico City to settle with his family in the tranquil lakeside town of Valle de Bravo. While initially grappling with loneliness, the serenity of nature – and a new home recording studio – inspired him to revisit unused musical ideas. “I started rummaging through my folders of discarded sketches,” Meme shares. “Eventually, I merged two pieces into what became ‘Princesa,’ and suddenly everything made sense.” With themes of love, reflection, and self-discovery, the song stands as a cornerstone of his forthcoming album, set for release this spring.

“Princesa” is a masterful blend of genres, beginning as a tender balada inspired by the romantic ballads of the ‘70s, with lush harps and strings evoking the timeless elegance of José José. But just as the listener settles into its symphonic beauty, the song shifts gears into progressive synth-pop, its existential lyrics playfully exploring the contrast between siempre (always) and nunca (never). Meme’s strengthened vocals shine throughout, embodying the emotional depth of a happy romance while pushing his artistry into new sonic territory. “For the first time, I feel I can be a singer,” he says.

Meme credits his longtime collaborator, Gustavo Santaolalla, for helping refine his vision. Known as the godfather of Latin rock, Santaolalla contributed electric guitar and ronroco to the album, guiding Meme through the creative process. “Gustavo told me ‘Princesa’ was the trunk of the tree, with the other songs as its branches,” Meme explains. “That insight gave me the clarity to build the album around it.” As a seasoned producer for artists like Julieta Venegas and Natalia Lafourcade, Meme’s expertise merges seamlessly with Santaolalla’s genius, resulting in a project that feels both intimate and expansive.

Now, as “Princesa” makes its debut, Meme reflects on the journey that brought him to this moment. “These songs gave me a self-esteem I didn’t have before,” he admits. “They pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a space where I could express myself in a way I never thought possible.” With this newfound confidence and Gregory Allen’s evocative visuals bringing the music to life, Meme’s solo debut promises to resonate with fans in deeply personal and universal ways, blending vulnerability, nostalgia, and bold artistic exploration.

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