Quechua Rap (People 2024, by Luca Zanetti) - Swiss Press Award

Renata stands before a Wari warrior statue in Ayacucho. The Wari were an ancient Peruvian civilization from AD 600 to AD 1100.22 yers old Renata Flores, a famous social media figure in Peru, gained recognition for her Quechua cover of Michael Jackson's song "The way you make me feel". She has become a spokesperson for the Quechua language, instilling pride in young people for their indigenous roots. Renata's fame has led her to be listed among the fifty most influential women in Peru by Forbes magazine. Born in Ayacucho, a city with a painful history of violence, Renata is navigating her newfound fame with difficulty. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to promoting Quechua and preserving the indigenous culture. Renata's journey of rediscovery started in her childhood home, where she learned about the power of herbs and the beauty of the Quechua language from her grandmother. Renata's music combines Andean rhythms and instruments with rap, addressing themes of empowerment and social justice. She is determined to make Quechua a globally recognized language that unifies rather than divides.