There’s always been talent in the shadows, in the back room, out of the spotlight. From the time of Cyrano de Bergerac, there’ve been creative and inspired minds that didn’t show their faces. The history of pop music is full of singer-songwriters who signed hits for other artists before being recognized with their names. So, from Bruno Mars to Ed Sheeran, from Sia to Lady Gaga, everyone had their moment of redemption, of divine justice. And that’s what seems to be happening with the revealing and majestic Elena Rose.
Not long ago, Elena used to spend her time inside the studio writing for Becky G, CNCO, Rauw Alejandro, Paloma Mami, and Noriel, among other artists. And she continues to do so: her name appears in the credits of almost every song on the latest Selena Gomez EP (Revelación), as well as in the hits designed for two golden duos (“Pa’ Ti” for Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, “Miénteme” for the Argentine singers Tini and María Becerra). But now the impact she’s causing in the music industry is also due to her solo career. A proof of this is “Pimienta”, a recent urban hit with brilliant lyrics, co-written by her with Julia Michaels and Bloodpop.
Sometimes you can read her full birth name in that ocean of songwriting credits: Andrea Elena Mangiamarchi. She was born in Miami to Venezuelan parents but much of her childhood and adolescence was spent in Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Everything changed when she turned 19 and settled permanently in the US. Little by little, Elena’s voice began to attract attention on the Miami bar circuit. The chance to work with Ricky Martin came up, and she finally nailed it with the song “Dollar”, a hit single released by Becky G and Myke Towers.
In May 2020, Elena released “Sandunga”, her first solo single, a reggaeton pop gem pushed by a delicious retro kitsch music video. More singles followed throughout that year: “Fenomenal”, “La Ducha”, “No Voy a Cambiar” and “Coco”. An overwhelming start that only confirmed what everyone suspected: her talent as a hitmaker couldn’t be limited to writing songs for others.
The catchy effect was instant: nominations for awards such as the Latin GRAMMYs, and media that don’t hesitate to call her “a rising star” and “the great Latin revelation”. Elena isn’t star-struck though, and continues to play her own game. So we can see her breaking down some stereotypes (“La Ducha”), becoming a femme fatale with that Marilyn Monroe look that suits her so well (“Coco”), or spreading the truth as a rapper in her neighborhood (“No Voy a Cambiar”).