Rosario (Madrid, 1963) has never used Flores in her artistic name and has not needed to, but there are genetic traits that cannot be hidden. She is a whirlwind celebrating her 33-year career (a Flores celebrates dates as she pleases) with a new album, 'Universo de Ley', featuring collaborations with Alejandro Sanz, Estopa, or Malú. Why look back now? "Just because, because I feel like it, because I want to," the artist laughs.
Before that, I can say very little.
If I don't do it now, I don't know when I will (laughs). I have a lot of albums and hits in my career, and I wanted to make them known to younger people who haven't had the opportunity to discover so many worthwhile songs. I wanted to take a look back at the universe I have created and still enjoy so much. It's a tribute to myself. Also, there are many songs by my brother Antonio, and that also excites me. I want to thank life very much for still being here, alive and kicking, and for keeping me in music. That is the greatest prize you can receive.
Does an album like this make you feel older?
No, because I feel fantastic. People often tell me that they have grown up with me, I look at them and think, "You? What are you saying? How could you have grown up with me if you are much older than me?" [laughs]. It's a bit strong, a bit of a flash, to think that so much time has passed, but you know what? 33 years mean nothing to me. I feel super young and full of energy; I am a stage artist who makes albums to get on stage and rock it. If people want to get to know Rosario, they have to see her on stage. It's the dream of my life.
You are part of the royal family of music in Spain, but you have always gone your own way.
Yes, and I am very proud of my career. First, because I consider myself authentic, I have not sold myself to anyone or for anything. For example, in this album, I could have been opportunistic and called on people with millions and millions of followers to collaborate. It would have been great for me, and it wouldn't have been difficult to get them, but I can't do anything that I don't feel. I am an artist of emotion, of moving and being moved, and all the artists on the album have moved me at some point in my life. They are warm artists, the kind I like. I have been true all my life, and I believe life has rewarded me for it. For being loyal to myself and being authentic.
You gave up the surname from the beginning. Why?
I am Rosario Flores, and I am very proud of it. I could not have been an artist without the blood I have. I am an artist because my father was Antonio González and my mother was Lola Flores, two giants; otherwise, what would I be? So, for me, it is a pride, and I carry the Flores name with my head held high, but it does not tie me down. When I started, being so popular demanded a lot from you, and you couldn't make mistakes; being a Flores was an unbearable pressure for any young artist, and I decided that, for better or for worse, I was going to be myself in my own way. When we released 'Mi gato,' we didn't reveal from the start who the singer was. It was a strategy from the record label, which turned out very well because people always have prejudices when judging a 'daughter of.'
From a legend in your case, not just any famous person.
Exactly. My mother made us very popular as her children before we did anything other than simply being born. It was a different time, and Lola Flores was everything, but of course, that was a handicap for us in becoming who we wanted to be, in forging a life and a career. I waited for my moment, to be ready, until the stars aligned, my brother started composing for me, and I brought his songs to life in my style. We named the album 'De Ley' because since I was a little girl, I have been an artist of temperament, of energy, and I wanted to sing and dance. As a child, I had adrenaline rushes, and now I understand that I had to release it on stage. So we made 'De Ley' out of a vital impulse, and I never thought I would have the success I had. And that success has lasted 33 years. I have had a beautiful life that I would choose again with its ups and downs.
Your brother Antonio is a huge presence in it, in the best and worst moments.
Without a doubt. My brother is part of my style; we created it together, him, Fernando Illán, and I. That's how the Rosario style was born, thank God, because creating a style is like winning the lottery. Or even more because the money from the lottery runs out at some point, but the style doesn't. Creating the Rosario style is the greatest gift life has given me, and it would not have been possible without Antonio. Regarding his legend and what he represents in this country, my brother is still alive. We paid tribute to him a year ago, and Vistalegre was packed. I was moved to see how far songs can reach because the truth in music never dies. Tomorrow, you can put on a song by a wonderful artist like Antonio, and you will still enjoy it the same because true music is infinite and eternal. Just like him.
You don't like much of today's music.
I don't like some genres; I still enjoy rock, flamenco, or current funk a lot. Music has to evolve, and it's a fact of life that it changes. The industry has nothing to do with what it was 10 or 20 years ago, but well, we have to keep going. Right now, there is an invasion of reggaeton, and it seems like it's the only music that exists; it's what's commercial, and everything else is ignored, but it's not what I like. I enjoy music that moves me, that tells me a story, opens my heart, or makes me cry; reggaeton, except for a few exceptions, doesn't do that. Now it dominates everything, and it's a shame; we need to make room for more music. I might enjoy reggaeton if I've had a drink, I'm feeling playful, and I want to dance, but just one song, and that's it. By the second one, I'm tired because it all sounds the same.
In recent years, television, with 'La Voz Kids,' has played a significant role in your career. Decision, necessity, or a mix of both?
Decision, it is fully compatible with music. They are different types of fame. 'La Voz' has allowed me to reach many people from a generation who probably wouldn't have known me otherwise, and now they love and appreciate me. I am the monster of monsters for the kids, and I love that. Television has been entirely positive in every way. Mainly because of the experiences with the children, who have taught me why they are the angels of the earth; they tell you the truth and leave you speechless. 'La Voz' is a game for me; it's not about creating artists. That's why it was harder for me to participate in the adult version because I feel like it's more challenging to crush someone's dreams of making a living from this.
In such a long career, you have had moments when things were not going well.
Yes, of course. I have been through many ups and downs; there are albums better than others, there are times when you fill venues, and others when you don't sell as many tickets, and when you have personal problems, it reflects in your professional life. I am very grateful to the spirits and magic because I don't know how one manages to survive in this business for so long, honestly. I have been passionate, and I have done everything for the love of art because my mother taught me to love it, and that's what we, the Flores, are. Artists. From the day we are born until the day we die. I am an artist, and that's all I am.
In my memory, you were very young when you succeeded with 'De Ley,' but you were approaching 30.
Yes, indeed, I was no longer a child; I was about to turn 29. I would have liked to achieve it at 18 when I released an album called 'Vuela de noche,' which didn't work out, although now it's a cult classic. Then I waited because I didn't want to make the same mistake again, and the truth is, I thought I wouldn't make it, that I would never have this success... I knew I was an artist, that I am energy and temperament, but I couldn't channel that into something that worked. Until it happened, and everything exploded. People who come to see me live know what I'm talking about. You have no idea who Rosario is if you don't see me on stage. If you don't come to see me, you're missing out.
Have you definitively abandoned your acting career?
No, I would love to, but I have put all my energy into music and haven't pursued it. I made many movies, I was nominated for the Goya Awards... I'm not going to go from casting to casting, but if someone really thinks of me for a role, I would be delighted.
As you mentioned earlier, you have been in the spotlight since the day you were born. Have you never longed for a normal life, even if just for a day?
The truth is, I have a great capacity for abstraction, and I forget that I am famous. I have that virtue.