Salvadoran artist Dirty Sosa blends reggaetón and hip hop to empower the Latino community

Douglas Sosa, also known as Dirty Sosa, is changing the game in the music industry as a music producer and artist.

When he was just 16, he started making music beats and uploading them on YouTube. With an unused computer at home, he took the chance to ride the SoundCloud wave, gaining attention by recreating beats in the style of Playboi Carti. 

Artists like Ski Mask the Slump God and even Lil’ Yachty's friends reached out to him for his music production. Sosa thought it was fundamental for his career to have that experience, all while still attending high school. “I got to see those artists go on to be huge artists. Seeing them grow into the platforms that they are today was great for me, and it gave me hope for the future,” he said.

His passion and drive to make it in the music industry come from being the son of immigrant Salvadoran parents. Growing up, he saw firsthand the struggles and hardships his parents faced as Latinos. Ultimately, their perseverance made it possible for his parents to start from scratch and build a life to support him and his siblings. “I think seeing that and seeing how consistent they were, I can take that and translate it into my own life now and see that if it was possible for them, it should be possible for me,” Sosa said.

On May 9, Sosa is dropping his own project called “El Cipote” to show love and representation for his Salvadoran community. “I'm excited to say that I produced the whole EP myself,” he said.

To Sosa, the final end goal for this specific project is to keep pushing music forward and uniting cultures through music. “That piece of music was about myself because it's such a vulnerable side of me, and that's what I'm excited about releasing soon,” Sosa said.

The music producer and artist believes Latino representation in the music industry is incredibly important. Whenever he's at video shoots or concerts, he notices a strong presence of Latinos—whether they're in the spotlight or working behind the scenes. “Latinos are always there,” he said. “It's Latinos putting on just everything, orchestrating, especially out here in L.A., so I think the representation of Latinos is only going to get stronger and louder.”

He emphasized that being a Latino is a key component for himself and others who want to set themselves apart from the rest of the industry. “We represent how hardworking we are,” he said “And we do come from hardworking families and I think we take that anywhere we go and bringing that into the music space is what's going to distinguish us Latinos and help our culture stay strong and intact.”

Zach Rhines, who has been Sosa’s friend and videographer, said that it has been inspiring seeing him develop in his career and turning into the artist he is today. “Everything that he stands for, I see what he's doing in the music industry and even though it's not exactly the industry that I'm in, they do have a lot of  parallels,” Ryans said, explaining some of those similar parallels. “I feel like there are a lot of structural issues within both industries that prevent people from being creative, growing and voicing out how they like to do things, and I feel like his vision of the future is very empowering because it's re-envisioning what the industries could be, and he's taking the right actions to get there.”

In the next few years, Sosa envisions himself stepping up as a leader and advocate for other Latinos in the music industry, staying true to his values and using his platform to make a difference. Sosa told CALÓ News that the industry has not been the fairest to creators, producers and videographers or anyone who partakes in the collaboration.

“It's still a work in progress and we're still digging through it, but it's like, how can I feel like everybody feels compensated at the end of a project or a song release? And I think figuring that out is going to help me set a foundation and set a tone not just for Latinos but for the whole industry,” he said. “A way that it keeps the fairness, keeps the creativity fun and keeps the toxicity and manipulation out of what we're doing.”

Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Would you say you have a signature sound, or do you prefer to adapt your production to fit each artist’s unique vibe?

“I come from a Latino background, but I was raised on the West Coast, so I have a lot of West Coast influence. I understand reggaetón and I understand hip-hop. So it's like, how can I bring all of those into one and how can I display it in one track?

“It might just be a simple reggaetón song. How can I bring hip-hop drums that are at the same tempo into that same song? And the more I do that, the more it's going to help bring the two together. Essentially reggaetón, hip-hop, and Afro beats all work in the same tempo. And so I'm working on bringing all those together, but it's a work in progress and I'm proud to say that I'm doing it right now.”

What do you enjoy most about being a music producer?

“I think it's the fact that I can take somebody's life and really bring it into the light. My job is like, how can I paint the picture for them and help them paint their picture? Essentially, I'm bringing their vision to life, looking into the future of a sound that they may have or seeing something in them that they don't see in themselves yet and helping them bring that out of them.

“I think, to me, that's the biggest gift as a producer. It helps me produce something out of their vision and who they are and who they see themselves as. And at the end of us working together, it's like they grew into something else. I think that's the biggest takeaway I take as a producer.”

What is your process for creating a song as a producer or as an artist?

“I think it starts with the truth. We all have our truth to tell, and as a producer, I approach it as, how can I get a vulnerable side brought out of you or the truth brought out of you or a certain aspect of your life? And that process is beautiful, and I think in music you get to be so vulnerable and honest in simple words that people might not even know what you're referring to.

“But I think I like to start there. Even when I'm working with other artists, I always ask, like, what's something that that artist might have to say that hasn't been said yet? Or how can I bring out the best in them that day?

“And I think we all take that throughout our journeys, whether you're in music or not, but that's what really drives me to my creative process. It's like, how can I have fun doing it? how can I have fun saying the truth, essentially? And I think that's what's up about music. That's something that comes along with the process.”

What has been your favorite collaboration with an artist and why?

“It's been with my girlfriend, Cynthia Diaz. For this collaboration to happen, it took for me to be vulnerable. She just started being an artist and I'm excited to say new music is coming soon with her. Having to get the truth out of her and also my truth too comes with the relationship.

“But that's the most fun I've had as a producer. I'm so involved and I have seen things happen that are being put into music, and I have been there to witness and see a lot of those events come into a song and I think that to me is the biggest gift in music and seeing someone take their life experience and painting it on a song is beautiful. And I think that's been my favorite collaboration thus far.”

What has been your greatest challenge in the industry? 

“Oh man, I think sometimes you get so caught up in the politics of what music should be. I think when I first started, I was just making music out of enjoyment, and I still am, but it's not until you have certain people that try to make a roadblock out of you. Like, you can't do that sound because you're Latino or you can't do this or that but I think there are so many Latinos out here that just like to make music and I'm aware of  Black culture and whatnot, but we pay our respects and we're just here to help.

“The sound is diverse, and I think it's just about having fun with the music and I think a lot of people try to take away from the fun and a lot of people in certain roles try to take away from the artist having fun, and I think that's the biggest challenge that I face: not losing that creative spark that you first get, because the industry will tell you that you have to be like this and that, or else you're not going to fit the mold of what they're trying to make.”

What advice do you have for other upcoming Latino music producers or artists who are just starting their careers in the industry?

“Have fun, know your rights and protect yourself. Like nowadays you have ChatGPT. If you have any questions, go and ask. The information is free and I think the knowledge is out there for people to learn, for people to know how to build their businesses. If somebody wants to do anything with you that's business-wise, it's because you have something that they don't have, and don't forget that.

“That's where your power stands and growing your power is also about not forgetting about your roots and your culture because we have the whole Latino community waiting for people to represent, and there are still so many spots that need to be filled in. So, go with it, go with your best heart, go with your best intent, protect yourself and know your rights, and just keep having fun with music.”