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photo courtesy of cimone Jordan ”19
photo courtesy of cimone Jordan ”19

Latino singer-songwriter Polanco brings a unique perspective to BLSU event

By Cimone Jordan ’19

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In extending our programming this semester, BLSU sought to incorporate smaller scale performances in order to expose the Hamilton community to newer Black and Latinx artists. 

This past Thursday, members and attendees were serenaded by Ivan Polanco and his drummer in the Sadove Living Room. Polanco performed an array of music that included personal selections as well as songs by famous artists. 

As a singer, song-writer and musician, his triple threat skills were reflected in his performance and delivery.

Between selections, he explained his journey as a musician and how his life experiences heavily influenced the content of his lyrics. 

Being of Filipino and Dominican heritage, many of his songs had reggaeton and bachata roots while others are more influenced by R&B, pop, rock and blues. In addition to touring college campuses, Polanco has also performed in local cafes and Latinx banquets.

His performance was memorable not only because of his smooth vocals, but also because of his inspiring backstory that he shared. During the Q&A Session with attendees, he spoke in depth about having two persistent parents who encouraged determination and education. Despite having him at a young age, they were determined to establish a future for their children. As Ivan aged and joined the world of music, he faced the challenge of being regarded as a stereotypical Latinx artist that sang only in Spanish. 

By allowing his talent to speak for him and guide his musical career, he was able to overcome opposition from employers and venue owners, thus accomplishing his goals. 

Despite having toured across the United States, Polanco remains tied not only to his Dominican roots but also to his inner-city roots. In general, heightened production and endless funding can often lead to musicians forgetting about their native communities. Ivan is the opposite in that he pays homage to his home. Many of his music videos are filmed in New York City, specifically the Bronx. 

A native Bronx individual Adrian Summers ’19 attested to this, saying, “A lot of artists these days are willing to sacrifice where they come from for the money and the fame but it’s powerful to see someone have a successful career without sacrificing those things… him filming in the Bronx and always returning, shows kids that there’s hope. The fact that he comes back indicates to them that you don’t have to sacrifice your integrity and roots. You can still be on the rise and in the prime of your career. Also, as a native Bronx person, I am happy to see someone throw some respect on the borough.” 

Ultimately, having Ivan Polanco with us for the day was a treat. It was great to be encouraged by someone from an urban environment that is successful while having experienced hardships associated with being a person of color from an inner-city environment. 

Attendees and general members of BLSU were able to enjoy a performance along with a few words of wisdom, thus making the event a success. 

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