Since making her debut in 2018 with tracks like the trap laced "Not Steady" and the more tropical pop "No Te Enamores," she has carved her path leading to her signing with Sony Music Latin and dropping her debut project in 2021 with Suenos de Dali, which pushed out a surrealist dream in the form of eleven tracks which she painted through her dreamy, R&B inspired Latin sound.
You'd think that being without a project in four years would hurt all her momentum, but her sophomore effort, Codigos de Muñeka, has lived up to fans' expectations. It is a full opus into Paloma's creativity and growth as an artist.
When we meet up with her at the Sony Latin offices in Coconut Grove, she's wearing a combination of black and pink everything. Black long sleeve top that she's drawn a scorpion on, a pink skirt, and pink Jordan Orchid 4s (which she clarifies to us). For someone who is such a pop star in Latin America, she comes down with a very calm, friendly demeanor.
This is probably attributed to her growing up in New York, where she first found her love for music, theatrics, and pop culture. Near the latter half of her teenage years, she moved to Chile, where she appeared on Rojo, el color de talento, before dropping her first tracks.
"I want to be in New York more. I miss it so much. I was there for a while last year, then went back to Chile to finish up work. But I love the balance: family in Chile, inspiration in New York. It keeps me grounded and creative."
Chile is where her star power is strongest, but she tells us that her first time playing in New York was special, as the crowd screamed and sang each song word for word.
But it's been a while since all that happened, as she's been busy with the project's creation, enlisting some "munecos," she mentions, for guest features, and drawing inspiration from new locations, including Japan.
"I went to Japan because I was invited to the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. I'd never been before, and it's always been a dream of mine. I've been inspired by Japanese culture, anime, and art in general since I was young. So finally being there was surreal, everything I had only seen through my phone came to life," she tells New Times.
Astorga highlights that anime has always inspired her music. "When I started creating this album, I had this idea of making anime dolls for every song, like little versions of me with different looks, hairstyles, and personalities. So when Crunchyroll got involved, we were able to create an anime version for every track. We called them 'Animami.' Seeing myself come to life in anime form was so dope."
She also told us about her love for the trippy, dreamy 2006 film Paprika, which was another inspiration for the project. The visuals are all over the album and appear on the singles, helping you create a sense of the world that Paloma is building. It's very much inspired by her love for early reggaeton groups like Plan B, but has her signature touch of soft, silky R&B and bright pop.
"Definitely, Ñengo (Flow), melodically, he's a big inspiration. But I also had a lot of inspiration from Nicki Minaj. I was thinking about The Pinkprint and how she was always so unapologetically herself. Not just in sound, but in attitude, so unique, so bold. That mindset really inspired me," she shares.
For her first project, Paloma was very precise, but nervous, oftentimes deleting whole tracks or redoing them in general. As time has gone on and she's become more experienced in studio settings, it has made it easier to work on the sophomore project as she's no longer overthinking every note on every track.
"I used to be like that, too, major overthinker. But not anymore. Now, I try to be present and intentional in every moment." She believes overthinking comes from insecurity, by second-guessing yourself. "In the studio, you've got to believe magic will happen. You set the tone with your mindset. If you walk in already doubting everything, the whole vibe can shift. With my first album, I'd re-record songs four or five times, trying to perfect them. I overthought everything. But with this one, I just let it happen—lyrics, melodies, everything was natural and in the moment."
In her new album, Paloma Mami collaborates with DannyLux, Rauw Alejandro, and Pablo Chill-E
Photo by Claudia Ardid
"On my first project, it was all solo. So it felt great to open up the process and work with people I admire. Like, DannyLux, shoutout to him! That track with him is one of my favorites. I used to sing it in the shower every day like, "This is too fire." Danny snapped on that one. I love his voice," she shares.
The track is not only one of Paloma's favorite moments on the project, but was a fun process working with someone like Danny.
"Yo, he pulled out a bottle and everything! I was like, 'Danny, you know I don't drink.' He was like, 'What do you mean? This is how I work.' And I was like, 'Okay, do your thing.' I just wanted everyone to be comfortable. We actually recorded that one in Miami at 5020 Studios (on Biscayne)." Astorga says that she received a DM from DannyLux. "I was in the studio when I saw the message. I checked out his music and immediately loved his voice, we had that connection. It was super fire to have him on the album."
Another collaboration that was years in the making was the one with Rauw, which has become one of the standout tracks since the album's release. It's that classic perreo delivery from Rauw with the gentle edge that Paloma brings which is a highlight in itself.
"Honestly, it felt meant to be. We've known each other since way back. I think he was the first guy to ever DM me when I started, like 2018. I barely had one song out and he messaged me like, 'Yo, your music is fire.' Even before I signed to a label," she shares. "So when he hit me up again on Instagram years later, it just felt overdue. I wasn't nervous, I was excited. I wanted to see how he worked because his musicality is so unique. Watching his process in the studio was super inspiring."
With Códigos de Muñeka, Paloma Mami is making a statement. Blending her Chilean and New York roots with global inspiration and anime-fueled imagination, she's carved out a world that's distinctly hers. It's confident, experimental, and unapologetically honest, proof that time away didn't dim her shine but sharpened her focus.
Before she leaves to go make more tracks in the studio, we ask when the inevitable Miami show will take place.
"We're working on it! I can't wait to perform here. I've got a bigger set list now and I'm ready."
