Blending cultures

Lenin Tamayo, a name that evokes revolutionary history, is bringing his own musical revolution to the world stage. Born in Lima, Peru, and named after Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Russian Revolution, Tamayo has embarked on a journey to redefine Peruvian music. His mission is bold — to blend Quechua, the language of the Incas, with the global phenomenon of K-pop, creating a new genre he calls Quechua Pop, or Q-pop. He began his journey in 2019 and has been very successful, having been featured in Rolling Stone’s “19 Latin Artists We’re Rooting For In 2024”.
At just 23, Tamayo has crafted a unique sound that bridges the traditional and the modern, the local and the global. His visit to Bangkok marks a pivotal moment in his career as he brings Q-pop to an international audience, sharing his vision of cultural fusion and artistic innovation. He will be in town until Oct 19.
During his time in Bangkok, Tamayo will engage in a series of cultural and musical events. Tomorrow, he will give a Q-pop talk and concert at Mahidol University International College, offering insights into his musical journey. On Thursday, Tamayo will join a talk show at the Korean Cultural Center, where he will discuss the global influence of K-pop, as well as the unique fusion of Q-pop and T-pop. Finally, on Friday, the young singer will perform a proper live concert at Siam Paragon’s Nex Tech, presenting his innovative sound to a wider audience in one of Bangkok’s most iconic venues. These events mark an exciting opportunity for Thai audiences to experience the distinct blend of Quechua and K-pop that has garnered Tamayo international attention.
Tamayo’s music is deeply rooted in his upbringing and heritage. Growing up in a household where Quechua was spoken fluently, thanks to his mother Yolanda Pinares — a well-known Andean folk singer — Tamayo’s childhood was filled with the sounds and stories of the Andes. Music was omnipresent in his life. He often reminisces about being backstage at his mother’s performances, where he would be lulled to sleep by the melodies of traditional instruments and the powerful voice of his mother.
“Music was my first language,” said Tamayo during an exclusive interview with Life, reflecting on his formative years. “Even before Quechua and Spanish, I spoke music.”
This intimate relationship with music set the foundation for his later fusion of Andean folklore with the pop culture influences that he would encounter during his teenage years.
Despite being born in Lima, the capital of Peru, Tamayo never felt disconnected from his Andean roots. His mother, originally from Cusco, ensured that Quechua was a constant presence in their home. It wasn’t just a language to him; it was a symbol of identity, of heritage, of the past speaking to the present.
“Quechua has always been a part of my life, so incorporating it into my music felt natural,” he said. For Tamayo, Quechua represents more than just a mode of communication. It embodies the history and resilience of the Andean people, and by singing in Quechua, he hopes to bring this language — and the culture it represents — to the global stage.
In school, however, Tamayo faced challenges that shaped his outlook on identity and belonging. He was often bullied for his appearance — his thin face, sharp eyes and angular features made him stand out in ways that attracted ridicule. Moreover, his love for his Andean heritage, including the traditional foods his mother would pack for him, made him a target for teasing. Yet it was during this time that he discovered K-pop, a genre that would dramatically influence his musical path.
“I saw young girls listening to K-pop and watching Korean TV dramas,” Tamayo recalled. “By trying to make friends, I thought I could get closer to Korean culture.” What began as a way to connect with his peers soon grew into a fascination with the genre’s meticulous choreography, polished visuals, and emotional intensity.
“Even though these two worlds — K-pop and Quechua –may seem different, they share the universal language of emotions,” he said. It wasn’t long before Tamayo began to experiment merging the two, and thus Q-pop was born.
Q-pop is a genre that defies easy categorisation. At first glance, Tamayo’s music bears the hallmarks of K-pop: slick production, infectious beats and energetic choreography. But listen more closely, and the deep influence of his Quechua heritage emerges.
Traditional instruments like the charango (Andean lute) and zampoña (panpipe) weave their way through electronic pop beats, while his lyrics, sung in Quechua, tell stories rooted in Incan mythology and Andean cosmology. His debut album, Amaru, released earlier this year, is a testament to this fusion. Each song on the album is inspired by Incan myths and legends, with themes that explore the relationship between the living world (Kay Pacha), the underworld (Uku Pacha), and the celestial realm (Hanan Pacha). The result is a sound that is at once ancient and contemporary, deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Tamayo’s music, however, is not just about entertainment. For him, it’s also a platform for social commentary. He is acutely aware of the discrimination that indigenous and native peoples in Peru — and across Latin America — have faced for centuries. He sees his music as a form of resistance, a way to reclaim and celebrate his identity in the face of ongoing marginalisation.
“Artists don’t just sing or play instruments,” he pointed out. “They have the power to arouse a conscience, especially when it means reclaiming one’s identity in an unequal and unjust country.” By singing in Quechua, Tamayo is making a statement: that the language of his ancestors is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing part of Peru’s cultural future. “My music had to embrace my origins strongly. The voice goes hand in hand with the language, and Quechua is what will define my sound.”
As Tamayo prepares for his performances in Thailand, he is excited about the cultural exchange that awaits him. He sees parallels between the rich histories of Peru and Thailand, two countries with deep cultural traditions that have also embraced modernity in their own ways.
“My visit to Thailand fills me with excitement because I believe both countries share rich cultural and historical backgrounds,” he said. “The idea of being a cultural bridge between our worlds is thrilling, and I’m eager to show the Thai audience how I blend K-pop with my Quechua roots.”
Tamayo’s performances in Thailand will offer audiences a rare glimpse into the world of Q-pop — a genre that, while still in its infancy, has the potential to make a significant impact on the global music scene.
The success of Q-pop on social media has already given Tamayo a taste of international recognition. His TikTok account boasts over 4 million likes, and fans from around the world have begun to take notice of his innovative sound. Yet for Tamayo, the metrics of social media are secondary to his larger goal of making a meaningful connection with his audience.
“I’m very grateful for the international attention,” he said. “For me, it’s an honour to see that the project that started two years ago is having an impact. While I’m not sure if it’s revolutionary, I do know that this genre emerged from my personal experience and my roots. I hope it inspires others to dream big.
“My creative process begins with melodies, which allow me to express emotions before translating them into words,” he explained. “K-pop, with its focus on concepts and choreography, has influenced my music. When I combine those elements with my Quechua heritage, it all feels very organic and natural.”
This fusion, which started as an experiment, has now become Tamayo’s calling card — a sound that is both reflective of his past and forward-looking.
As Tamayo looks towards the future, he remains hopeful about the impact Q-pop can have, not just on the music industry but on the way people think about culture, identity and representation.
“The main message I want to convey is love and freedom,” he concluded. “Love to unite people, and freedom to be oneself.”