10 July 31 - August 6, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | No Love Lost Fer Ariza and Nacho drop a summer breakup anthem. BY MONICA MENDOZA I n a city known for its flavor and contra- dictions — where salsa meets reg- gaetón, heartbreak meets empowerment, and every block has its own soundtrack — Fer Ariza and Nacho just dropped what might be the most tropical breakup anthem of the year. “Love Pa’ Ti No Hay,” their new single, is a daring mix of merengue, traditional, and ur- bano beats, spiced with street-smart lyrics, contagious hooks, and just the right touch of spite. Days after its release, the video has al- ready surpassed a million views on YouTube, proof that this collaboration hits a nerve — and the hips — in all the right ways. It all began in Nacho’s head, as many hits do. “Love pa’ ti no hay, that was the first thing that came to me,” Nacho tells New Times. “It stayed with me, but like many good songs, it got buried under other projects until the tim- ing was right.” That timing arrived in the form of Fer Ariza, a Colombian artist known for blending joyful Caribbean rhythms with sharp, honest storytelling. Fer had long ad- mired Nacho’s work. Collaborating with him felt like a dream and a test. “I grew up hearing Nacho on the radio in Colombia,” says Fer. “He was already a legend. I was this teenager writing songs, trying to figure out who I was. So when the chance came to work together, it was surreal.” When they finally entered the studio, the track evolved organically. “The hook was gold,” says Nacho. “But we wanted to bring the verses into the now. Fer brought his flavor, his bounce. We rebuilt it from the inside out.” The result? A song that feels like healing through dancing. A bop with a backbone. “Miami is like an arroz con mango, a tropical salad,” Fer laughs. “It’s messy, color- ful, full of different flavors. And somehow, it works. That’s what this track feels like.” It’s no coincidence the video was shot in this eclectic city. With its Caribbean energy, im- migrant grit, and late-night dance culture, Miami doesn’t just host the song; it embod- ies it. The visuals burst with color, move- ment, and urban pulse, perfectly matching the song’s message: you can love, you can cry, but eventually, you move on and look damn good doing it. While reggaetón and trap dominate Latin charts, Fer Ariza has carved a different lane, one rooted in merengue urbano, a sound he calls both nostalgic and rebellious. “My mom is from Buenaventura,” Fer explains. “A place full of rhythm, joy, and survival. That’s in my blood. I didn’t choose meren- gue, it chose me.” But for Fer, the path wasn’t easy. A year and a half ago, he was on the brink of quitting music altogether. “I was depressed, over- weight, nearly 120 kilos, and ready to give up. I felt invisible,” he admits. “But something told me to give it one more shot. That’s when everything started to shift. And now? I’m working with Nacho. I’m thriving. This isn’t luck, it’s resilience.” Nacho nods in agreement. “Fer is real. And that’s rare. When I met him, I didn’t just see talent, I saw truth. That’s what made me say yes to this song.” Despite its dancefloor-ready beat, “Love Pa’ Ti No Hay” packs emotional weight. It’s a declaration, not of hate, but of self-worth, and of finally walking away. “I’ve been with my wife for eight years now,” says Fer. “But before that, I made some painful mistakes. I know what it’s like to lose yourself in the wrong relationship.” He’s not alone. On TikTok, the song has inspired a wave of user videos, from tearful confessions to celebratory dance clips. “People write things like, ‘This song hurts… because it’s true,’” Fer says. “One girl said, ‘My mom warned me. She was right.’ That’s powerful.” Nacho gets it, too, maybe more than most. “Before my current relationship, I had to walk away from someone I loved deeply,” he shares. “I wasn’t ready to change. And I knew the kindest thing I could do was to say: I don’t deserve you. That was my biggest act of love.” Now, Nacho describes his life as stable and spiritually grounded. “When I found God, everything changed. The past is the past. I’m not just Nacho, I’m the new creation.” Both artists now call Miami home, a city shaped by migration, ambition, and cultural fusion. “As immigrants, we represent our countries everywhere we go,” says Nacho. “We have to act with dignity. Because people don’t just see you, they see Venezuela, Co- lombia, Latin America. That’s a big responsi- bility.” Fer adds: “Our music is proof that dreams don’t die, they just take time. And a lot of hard work.” Their message to other immigrants chasing creative goals? Stay legal, stay focused, and show the world what we bring to the table. This October, Nacho will reunite on stage with Chyno, his longtime friend and musical partner with whom he conquered the world as the iconic duo Chino & Nacho — at iHeart Fiesta Latina on October 25 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. It’s a full-circle moment not just for him, but for fans who grew up dancing to “Niña Bonita”, “Mi Niña”, and “Andas en Mi Cabeza.” Meanwhile, the night’s explosive lineup includes Olga Tañón, Morat, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and more. “Honestly, I might just be in the audience for Olga,” Nacho laughs. “Luck- ily, we’re not singing at the same time, I’d be too nervous!” As for future collaborations, the doors are open. “We’re already talking about creating more music,” says Fer. “But we’re not rushing it. This kind of energy, this kind of friendship, deserves to grow naturally.” So, who exactly is “Love Pa’ Ti No Hay” for? “It’s for the one you loved… and outgrew,” Fer says. “It’s for the version of yourself that settled. And it’s for the next version, the one that dances with her head high.” Nacho smiles. “It’s a reminder: you can love deeply, let go with grace, and still turn it into a hit.”
[email protected] ▼ Music Music Photo courtesy of Punto 8 “OUR MUSIC IS PROOF THAT DREAMS DON’T DIE, THEY JUST TAKE TIME. AND A LOT OF HARD WORK.” Fer Ariza and Nacho release a new summer collaboration. Rock On! Miami Girls Rock Camp celebrates ten years. BY FLOR FRANCESCHETTI W hat happens when you hand a mi- crophone to a 10-year-old and tell her to speak her mind? If it’s Miami Girls Rock Camp, you get ten original bands and a new generation of musicians. On Saturday, August 2, Miami Girls Rock Camp (MGRC) will host its annual Finale Concert at the Ground Miami at Club Space. This commu- nity event will feature campers ages 8 to 17 per- forming original songs written during a transformative week of instrument instruction, songwriting, and self-expression. “This isn’t just a concert; it’s a community celebration,” says MGRC co-director Heather Burdick in conversation with New Times, who co-founded the camp with Stephanie Taylor and Emile Milgrim (Las Nubes, Sweat Records). “We’ve watched young people, some who’ve never touched an instrument, step into their power and own the stage. It’s truly inspirational.” Launched in 2015, MGRC was built on a sharp but straightforward idea: empower girls and gen- der-expansive youth to take up space through music. Over one week, campers form bands, write original compositions, and perform for hundreds. The experience is high-impact, heart-opening, and at times tear-inducing, as Burdick recounts from her own introduction to Rock Camp in Austin. “I was just so blown away by the power of these young people,” she says. “I never felt enti- tled to take up space in music growing up. So this is about telling them, ‘You belong here. What you have to say matters.’ Confidence fol- lows from that.” This year’s concert promises to be a special celebration, since the non-profit is turning ten years old. Attendees can expect power chords, punk ballads, poignant surprises, and a DJ-fu- eled dance party courtesy of Sweat Records’ Lolo Reskin. All ages are welcome. The camp’s impact goes beyond perfor- mance. Many graduates return as mentors. Ac- cording to Burdick, six former campers joined the staff this summer, including one who’s been part of MGRC every year since it began. MGRC remains intentionally inclusive. Tuition is $450, but scholarships are offered to all who need them: “no one is turned away,” shares Burdick. Families who can pay more often “sponsor” other campers, and fundraising is vi- tal. This year’s raffle, launching Monday, includes prizes like III Points tickets, private drum lessons, and even an electric guitar–packed Hard Rock Hotel bundle. Supporters can participate via the organization’s website. Over the years, artists like Shirley Manson, Cat Power, and Jane Wiedlin have shown support. But the real headliners are the kids on stage. “Ev- ery year, someone in the crowd cries,” Burdick says. “Sometimes it’s a parent. Sometimes it’s a stranger. But it’s always someone who’s just wit- nessed something beautiful, something real.” Miami Girls Rock Camp Finale Concert. 6 p.m. Saturday, August 2, at the Ground Miami at Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; thegroundmi- ami.com.Tickets cost $20 via zeffy.com.
[email protected] 
