Camilo and Yami Safdie Finally Come Together on "Querida Yo"

When two of Latin music's most celebrated songwriters come together, the result is bound to be magical. That is clearly what happened when Colombian singer-songwriter Camilo and Argentine artist Yami Safdie collaborated on the heartfelt new track "Querida Yo."

Camilo, one of Latin music's most prolific writers, has earned six Latin Grammys and worked with artists like Rauw Alejandro and Natti Natasha. Safdie, who only signed with Warner Music Latina in 2021, has previously collaborated with Carín León and Milo J, releasing her debut album, Dije Que No Me Iba Enamorar, in 2022.

At Camilo's private studio in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood, the pair talk about how they initially met.

"I've admired Camilo for a long time. He'd posted many videos and covers, and we were already in contact," Safdie says as she beams while retelling the story. "One day, I posted a snippet of this song on my stories, and he replied, saying he loved it. I'd already been thinking how incredible it would be to work with him, but it felt distant. So I thought, This is my chance. I invited him to finish the song with me, and he said yes. We got together, completed it, and here we are."

Though the pair first connected online, Camilo had already felt like they had met before.

"When we finally met in person, Camilo thought we'd already met," Safdie says. "I remember saying, 'Nice to meet you,' and you replied, 'But we've met before, right?' I said, 'No, no, we haven't,' and Camilo kept insisting, 'Yes, we have!' It was hilarious. I think it's because we'd been following each other's work for so long that it felt like we already knew each other."

The inspiration for "Querida Yo" came from a lot of self-reflection on Safdie's part. "It started as a letter to myself. I reflected on my younger self with tenderness and care — almost from a parental perspective," she explains. "It's about acknowledging the innocence and hard work of that version of me and encouraging her."
"It's such a beautiful concept," Camilo says in agreement. "The relationship we have with our past selves is often paternal. This song can help people heal their connection with their past. The only way to transcend the past is to embrace it. This song feels like a vehicle for that healing, a way to carry your younger self lovingly forward."

"What I admire most about Camilo is how he approaches music with respect and love, but also a lightness that makes everything flow naturally. It's something I aspire to in my own project," Safdie says.

Despite his more veteran status, Camilo says he's also learned for Safdie. "She has such clarity and authenticity in how she carries her career and communicates with people," he says. "One of my favorite things about myself is my love of learning, and Yami has taught me a lot, even during this interview. Her relationship with her team and the way she moves inspire me."

As a seasoned songwriter, Camilo finds the experience of writing alone versus working with collaborators to be very different experiences. "Writing for someone else requires sensitivity to their perspective, almost like acting," he adds. "Early in my career, I wrote many songs for other artists, mostly women, and I had to tap into emotions that weren't necessarily mine. It's a fascinating process. But with this collaboration, I was honest and open, which made it special."

Safdie adds: "When you join someone else's project, there's already a concept and musicality in place. It's a bit like a guide. It's fun because it pushes me to explore ideas I wouldn't have thought of on my own."

On "Querida Yo," Camilo and Safdie opted for a stripped-down, acoustic approach. "This aligns with the direction of my current project," Safdie explains. "I've been writing alone at home with my guitar, and I want to preserve that essence. It's a deliberate choice to keep things simple and authentic."

As for what else they have in store this year, Camilo says he is looking forward to taking on fewer projects that he can fully devote himself to. "My tour, a few creative ideas, and spending time with my daughters are my main priorities," he adds.

For Safdie, her main priority is wrapping up her upcoming album, with the goal of getting nominated for a Latin Grammy and hopefully taking home a trophy.

"It's an amazing time to be a Latin artist," Safdie says. "The industry is so open to collaboration across countries and genres. It's a chance to celebrate our cultures while exploring new sounds."

Camilo nods in agreement. "The fusion of styles and the pride in our roots make this a beautiful moment for Latin music," he says.