Adrian Quesada Helps Sweat Records Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Adrian Quesada, the multitalented musician and producer behind Black Pumas, is set to headline Sweat Records' 20th-anniversary celebration at ZeyZey on March 15. While the event is primarily a testament to the two decades of Sweat's dedication to Miami's music scene, Quesada's presence adds an extra layer of significance, as the independent record store has long championed his solo work.

The Latin Grammy-winning Mexican-American artist grew up in Laredo, Texas, absorbing a rich blend of musical influences that have shaped his diverse career. "Because I grew up in a border town between two countries, two languages, and two cultures, I have always found it easy to navigate between various worlds, particularly in music," Quesada explains.

Before his meteoric rise with Black Pumas, he was already a highly respected musician as the cofounder of Grupo Fantasma, a Latin funk orchestra that has performed as Prince's backing band and collaborated with hip-hop legends like Wu-Tang Clan's GZA.

"When we were working with Prince, we were able to do a lot of rehearsals with him, and to see him tear a rehearsal apart only to build it back up into a show over the course of a few days was something that was a master class I was lucky to be a part of at a young age," Quesada recalls. "Seeing the method to the madness and his genius at it is something that still inspires how I work to this day."

Quesada's solo work is just as compelling as his work with Black Pumas. His 2022 album Boleros Psicodélicos pays tribute to the psychedelic bolero movement of the 1960s and '70s, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone as "one of 2022's most gorgeous releases." Performed on Austin City Limits and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the album blends haunting romance with psychedelic textures. His latest release, Jaguar Sound, shifts gears, fusing hip-hop beats, cinematic arrangements, and Latin influences, further solidifying his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist.
Beyond his solo career, Quesada, alongside singer-songwriter Abraham Alexander, earned an Academy Award nomination for "Original Song" for "Like A Bird," featured in A24's acclaimed film Sing Sing.

"I was so moved by an early version of the trailer and the story behind the film that I jumped at the opportunity," he says. "It was a really busy time for both of us and not the easiest time for us to pull it off, but we believed so much in the film that we worked insane hours over the course of a couple of days to pull it off, and there was so much magic that came of it."

His upcoming performance at Sweat Records' anniversary event is not just a celebration of the store's legacy but a reflection of its role in supporting groundbreaking artists like Quesada. "I was aware of Sweat Records as an amazing record store in Miami through friends and via social media, and I realized they were supporting my music," he says.

For his fans, the event is an opportunity to witness an artist at the peak of his creative powers performing music that bridges generations and cultures. Underscoring Sweat's role as a vital force in the Miami music community, his performance promises to be a highlight of the celebration.

Sweat Records 20th Anniversary Party. With Adrian Quesada, ANR, Ale & Mle, Lolo, DJ Hottpants, and others. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at ZeyZey, 353 NE 61st St., Miami; zeyzeymiami.com. Tickets cost $30 to $40 via eventbrite.com.