“‘Papi’ goes hard. Another Latin banger for the books.” – 360 MAGAZINE
Isabela Merced introduces her solo music with the brand new single “Papi.” Get it HERE via Republic Records.
“It’s a blend of everything that inspires me,” Isabela describes her music. “I’m very influenced by Latin music like salsa, reggaeton, cumbia, and bachata. I’m experimenting with instruments and sounds from Peru, because they’re beautiful yet untouched by the mainstream. There’s also an energy and edge that comes from urban and rhythmic. It’s a new take on Latin pop with my own Peruvian spice and attitude. I’m welcoming everyone into my story.”
The new single was co-written by Isabela, who worked with Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo [“Despacito”] as co-writers and producers, co-writer Kennedi Lykken [Ariana Grande, Jonas Brothers], in addition to being co-written and executive produced by none other than powerhouse Justin Tranter [Justin Bieber, Julia Michaels]. Isabela arrives with an undeniable anthem topped off by Latin flavor and passionate pop prowess. Integrating Spanish and English, she fluidly writes lyrics similar to how she speaks—in bilingual fashion—making the music reflective of her voice and fitting what feels right in the moment.
“Papi” also kicks off her career as a solo musician under the name Isabela Merced—a tribute to her grandmother Yolanda Merced and her Peruvian heritage.
Merging a bold attitude, uncompromising spirit, unassuming pop appeal, and Latin melodies, 18-year-old singer and songwriter Isabela Merced turns up with an undeniable, unmatched, and universal sound of her own. Born in Ohio to a Peruvian mother and American father, she learned to speak Spanish before English and gravitated to Latin as well as classical and pop. Around the same time, she fell in love with The Wizard of Oz, watching it on repeat and developing an ambition to act. She fulfilled this ambition at 10-years-old with her Broadway debut in Evita under her birth name Isabela Moner. Critically acclaimed roles followed in everything from blockbusters such as Sicario: Day of the Soldado and Instant Family to a starring turn as the title character of Dora and the Lost City of Gold and in NETFLIX’s much-anticipated Let it Snow. Simultaneously, she honed her chops as a vocalist and picked up piano and ukulele. Making waves throughout 2018, Isabela contributed “I’ll Stay” to the Instant Family soundtrack and joined Sebastian Yatra for “My Only One (No Hay Nadie Más),” which amassed over 27 million Spotify streams. Signed to Republic Records, she makes her official debut as Isabela Merced with “Papi” in 2019.
