As she walked into the room with her electric red lipstick and shimmering gold metallic dress, Daymé Arocena’s radiant smile felt like an embrace of the soul. A day before she was set to give what would be an earth shattering performance at the debut La Cueva de Tigre at ACE in Miami, we sat down with Daymé to get to know her through Alkemi, her newest album and most transformative work to date. The album’s title, derived from the Yoruba word for alchemy, signifies the “cosmovision of transformation,” a process of combining diverse elements to create something powerful and luminous—like gold emerging from the skin. Alkemi blends Daymé’s Afro-Cuban roots with modern neo-soul, Caribbean beats, and contemporary pop, making it a revolutionary exploration of sound and spirit.
Each track from Alkemi carries a depth and versatility that speaks to personal growth and profound cultural connection. From the smooth bossa nova rhythms in “Suave y Pegao” to the smoldering neo-soul and reggae of “A Fuego Lento,” Daymé offers us a soundscape that is both grounded in tradition and fearlessly forward-thinking and unpredictable. Her music is a reflection of her journey, one of embracing sensuality, spirituality, and self-discovery. It’s no wonder why this year Daymé is nominated for Latin Grammy song of the year for the smoldering track that almost didn’t see the light of day.
“Love, for me, is a force of nature.”
Daymé is living her most liberated and deserving era yet, and that’s exactly how it should be for someone as beautiful inside as they are outside.
TIGRE SOUNDS: We want to get to know you now through Alkemi. How did this album come to life, and what was the inspiration behind its soulful, spiritual, and transformative nature?
Daymé Arocena: The inspiration for Alkemi is my journey through love. Love, for me, is a force of nature. People might think love is easy—it’s the way we say, “I love you,” without knowing the depth of it. But for me, love is the source of inspiration. I’ve loved a lot in life, and that means I’ve also been hurt. Through those experiences, I’ve learned so much, and now, in my 30s, I’ve made an album dedicated to love—self-love. Every time I fall in love with someone, it’s not that person I love; it’s who I become because of that person. Love transforms you, and you’re never the same afterward.
Tigre Sounds: This album reflects such personal and musical growth. How did working with Eduardo Cabra in Puerto Rico influence the direction of Alkemi?
Daymé Arocena: When I started working with Eduardo, he told me, “This is your album, these are your songs, and I don’t want to change what’s in your head.” He allowed me to explore my own story in the music. We listened to each other without ego, which was such a beautiful collaboration. Eduardo has won so many awards, but he never brought that into the studio. He told me, “I want you to shine.” That gave me the freedom to explore different moods and sounds, and that’s the Alkemi we created together.
“This nomination means so much because I hid that song for so long. It’s a recognition of my songwriting, and I hope it inspires others to unlock what they’ve been holding back.”
Tigre Sounds: In A Fuego Lento, you’ve said the song represents sensuality and spiritual fullness. How did collaborating with Vicente Garcia bring this song to life?
Daymé Arocena: A Fuego Lento is a song I wrote when I was 19, but I was scared to show that side of myself. For so long, I focused on proving I was a serious musician, but this song was about sensuality. It took me over ten years to feel ready to share it. Vicente was the perfect partner for this track. We improvised, and he brought a natural chemistry to the song. When we made the video, I wanted it to be poetic rather than explicit, and now people feel the intensity of the video without needing to see too much.
Tigre Sounds: You’ve been nominated for Latin Grammy Song of the Year for A Fuego Lento. How does that feel, knowing how far this song has come?
Daymé Arocena: When I heard about the nomination, I was in shock. I was flying into Miami, and as soon as I saw the announcement, my body just froze. This nomination means so much because I hid that song for so long. It’s a recognition of my songwriting, and I hope it inspires others to unlock what they’ve been holding back.
Tigre Sounds: Por Ti is another powerful track. Can you tell us what it means to you and how it connects to your journey of self-acceptance and body positivity?
Daymé Arocena: Por Ti is a song about empowerment. I wanted the video to be gold, to shine, because for too long, I was told that as a black woman, I shouldn’t wear red lipstick or certain clothes because it was “too much.” But now I realize that’s not my problem—it’s someone else’s. I wanted to show that I am gold, and I refuse to dim my light. The video reflects that.
Tigre Sounds: In I Rather Let It Go, you sing, “Wise are the words that my mama told me.” What were you letting go of in that song, and how has your upbringing influenced it?
Daymé Arocena: This song was inspired by a tragic story I heard about a woman who was killed by her husband. I wanted to honor her and her mother’s warnings. Sometimes, we don’t listen to the wisdom of our mothers, but they’ve been through what we’re experiencing. This song is a reminder to take care and to listen to those who love us.
“I believe Alkemi is a gift for the 19-year-old version of myself, but it’s also a gift for every person who needs that push to transform.”
TIGRE SOUNDS: Through this album, we can feel your evolution, and maybe it’s even a personal revolution—to unveil who you really are and everything you had locked inside of you. How has working on Alkemi transformed you both personally and musically? What do you hope it inspires in others?
DAYMÉ AROCENA: Alkemi is definitely about doing whatever you want. Be yourself. Don’t be scared to be who you are. And that’s how I reflect it musically. In writing and making Alkemi, I just said, “Fuck it.” I just didn’t care. I said, “This is who I am.” Alkemi has taught me to embrace who I am without fear. When I made this album, I said, “This is who I am, and I’m not going to hide it anymore.” I hope people who listen to it feel empowered to do the same. I always say, “Make your own alchemy.” Take all the things you’ve been told to hide, mix them together, and turn them into your power. Just blend together all the things that have scared you, all the boundaries you’ve created for yourself to hide from yourself, blend them, drink them, and get that power to make your own Alkemi. Fight those boundaries you’ve created for yourself. So I believe Alkemi is a gift for the 19-year-old version of myself, but it’s also a gift for every person who needs that push.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Beautiful. What is power to you?
DAYMÉ AROCENA: Sometimes people think power is fighting in a war. Sometimes power is saying, “I don’t want to fight.” Sometimes power is saying, “I’m not ambitious.” Sometimes power is saying, “I just want to live on a farm.” Sometimes power is saying, “I just want to feed my kids and prepare beautiful meals for them.” Sometimes you’re fighting so hard. For example, can you imagine telling these things to a woman who is struggling so hard to be accepted in a male-dominated field? But maybe there’s a story like Jacqueline du Pré, probably the greatest cello player in history, or one of the greatest. People say she had this issue with her sister, who was just a housewife. Jacqueline had this beautiful talent to play the cello—something no one else could do—but her sister just wanted to be a wife. So sometimes you have to give yourself permission to just be who you want to be. People think empowerment is getting money, a good job, or financial independence. Power is not the same for everyone. Power is a perspective. Each person has their own perspective. And we’re so influenced by the world telling us what we should be. For example, as women, we’ve been told for years that our bodies aren’t right, that we need to change everything about them. And sometimes we don’t want to wear certain clothes because we don’t want to accept who we are. Every time a woman tells me she’s on a diet, I say, “Go for it. Enjoy the journey, and I’ll say hi when you come back.”
“Power is a perspective. Each person has their own perspective.”
Daymé Arocena continues to captivate audiences with her Alkemi Live Show, a dynamic celebration of feminine energy that highlights her personal and musical evolution. As she explains, “The Alkemi Live Show is pure feminine energy. We’ve been touring all year, and we’ll be starting our U.S. tour in February 2025. I’ve moved from a heavy jazz trio to a lighter, more sensual, feminine performance with stunning female singers. It’s all about dancing, singing, and honoring the woman I am.”
Throughout 2025, Daymé will continue to captivate audiences in key cities across the United States, including performances in Miami with Concord Music Publishing (November 12, invite only), at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (February 26), Philadelphia’s World Café Live (February 27), and a special show in New York City (February 28, details to be announced). This is a tour not to be missed, as Daymé blends her powerful vocals with rich storytelling, creating an unforgettable experience filled with dancing, sensuality, and musical alchemy.
In our time with her, we were once again reminded of how profoundly Daymé moves not just through music, but through the energy she exudes. Something shifted in me; Daymé changed me. She reminded me that embracing all parts of ourselves—our cracks, our scars, our joy—is where true transformation begins. Her music, like her spirit, is a celebration of becoming who she was always meant to be.
Photos by Brooke D’Avanzo and Andrescora