Justin Rafael Quiles Rivera, better known as Justin Quiles or simply J Quiles, is an American singer and songwriter of Puerto Rican descent. The artist is very proud of the Latin blood that runs through his veins, and made it evident in an interview for Latinx Now! in a special called 'From Me To Me'.
The ‘Loco Por Verte’ singer knows perfectly the advice that he would give to his younger self if he could go back in time, “no matter what people think, no matter how hard you think it is there’s a way. You’re always going to find a way to make things happen, ok? So don’t give up.”
“Don’t let others manipulate you. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade and hold you back. There’s always room to grow. There’s always room to learn,” he added.
The Latin star is 30 years old, and to date, he has had to deal with many obstacles that had to do with some economic deficiencies in his childhood, which he remembered with us “we come from a very humble family. I saw my mother struggle mightily. I wanted to help her but as a child, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.”
“We moved to Puerto Rico and I lived in a shelter when I was little. Then we applied for government assistance and that’s how we had our first house. As a child, I believe the hardest part was not being able to afford a pair of tennis shoes, new clothes. My clothes were a gift from my church,” Quiles said.
Very proud of everything he has today, Justin recognizes the entire Latino community and spoke about the image that his compatriots have in the United States, “I think we have a fairly good reputation. I think Latinos are hard-working and productive. To improve our image as Latinos, we just need to keep doing what we are doing. I think we’re on the right path.”
“Latinx music is in very good standing right now. I think we’re doing things right. The good ones outnumber the bad ones,” he stated.
The singer is aware of who are the Latinx heroes who motivated him since he was a child and who influenced his music.
“There were a lot of heroes. I always listen to a lot of music so a lot of people inspired me. Vico C, Daddy Yankee, Big Pug, Biggie, and even groups like TLC and other R&B groups. All these people inspired me,” said Quiles.
“All these people inspired me to be the artist I am today. It’s like a mix of all the artists that I listen to and that’s what I am right now,” he finished.
About the beautiful moments he has had, and that have even made him cry with joy, Justin has an unforgettable one and it includes his mother, “the first time I listened to my song on the radio it was ‘Orgullo.’ I was listening to it on the radio and I was with my mom in the car and she started crying and got very emotional. I got emotional too. It was a very beautiful moment for both of us. That day is etched on my mind.”
Now, what does Justin Quiles want to be known for? “I’d like to leave a legacy. I want people to acknowledge me as a songwriter, as a musician. I want people to acknowledge all the sacrifices and time I’ve invested in this. I think the most important thing is to be acknowledged as a person, as a human being, and as an artist who always fought hard and never gave up on his quest to achieve his dreams.”
Speaking of family traditions, there is one that Quiles wants to continue for future generations, “a family tradition that I want my children and grandchildren to keep alive is ‘Three Kings Day’. It’s a beautiful celebration. On ‘Three Kings Day’ you put your grass under the bed and the kings show up with their camels, the camels eat the grass and they leave you a gift. I’d love to keep that beautiful Puerto Rican tradition alive.”
To conclude, Justin gave away the phrase with which he guides his life, “’a friend is like a dollar bill in your pocket.’ That’s what mom used to tell me when I was a child. You have to know who you are mingling with. Not everybody is your friend.”