Latina Artist Eljuri Calls on Listeners to Act Through Her Music

The first notes of Eljuri’s guitar cut through the air with a clarity that feels like both an invitation and a challenge. On stage she carries herself with the poise of someone who knows music can be a weapon and a refuge, her voice stretching across the crowd with conviction that insists on being heard. Latina singer and activist Eljuri has always believed music is not only entertainment but also survival, and every performance reflects that belief. Born in Ecuador to Spanish and Lebanese parents and raised in New York City, Cecilia Villar Eljuri has built a career that marries rhythm with resistance. Her new album Así es el Mundo (This Is the Way of the World), which was released on August 22nd, emerges at what she calls a breaking point for humanity. In a recent conversation with BELatina, she spoke about why this work could not wait and why her music must remain inseparable from activism.

A Record for a Breaking Point

When Eljuri talks about the release, she does so with the gravity of someone watching the world spin into crisis. “Because now is the breaking point. The world is teetering on the edge of human rights abuse, climate disaster, social unrest, systemic violence and people are losing hope,” she said. Her words sharpened as she added, “This album is a response to the moment we’re living in. We can’t wait for change, we must create change. It’s urgent. The need for connection and action, has never been greater. This is the moment to rise, to speak up, to ignite that flame and push for transformation.”

Every detail of Así es el Mundo has intention. The first track, “Cambio,” feels like a manifesto disguised as melody. “Cambio is the manifesto of the album. It’s a reminder that we are all capable of change, that a better world is possible, but it starts with us. But it’s also a challenge: you have the power to shape what comes next. The message is simple but profound: transformation begins within, but it radiates outward. It’s a call for collective action, and it’s a message that can’t be delayed.”

Carrying Her Heritage Into Sound

Her concerts are built on rhythm, but those rhythms carry more than beat, they carry memory. On stage, the Afro-Latin percussion drives the music forward, reggae grooves steady the pulse, and her electric guitar slices through it all with precision. For her, the fusion is inseparable from identity. “The rhythm that feels most tied to my identity is the fusion of Afro-Latin sounds with rock and reggae,” she explained. “It’s a reflection of my roots — Ecuadorian, Spanish, and Lebanese — but also of the complexity of the world today. They’re energetic, they’re passionate, and they’re deeply rooted in both resistance and celebration. They fuel the fire in my music and in my activism. They carry the spirit of my ancestors, but also the energy of now. It’s a blend of old and new, just like me.”

What audiences feel is not a lecture but a rush of sound that lands with weight. “The key is balance. Music is my medium to speak, but it’s never about preaching. It’s about feeling,” she said. “The message is always there, but it has to come through naturally, through the sound, the lyrics, the emotion. I never want my activism to feel like it’s being forced on the listener. It has to be authentic, part of the emotional journey of the song, not something separate from it. When it all works together, the activism is felt, not just heard.”

Tools That Extend the Mission

Eljuri knows songs alone are not enough. At her shows, fans leave with more than a memory of the encore. They leave with the Eljuri Activism Toolkit, created by her Amplifying Voices for Social Activism team. “I want them to feel empowered, so they can take action, to use what they’ve learned, and make a difference in their communities,” she said. “The toolkit is a resource, but it’s up to the listener to take it further. Whether it’s signing petitions, getting involved in social causes, or simply having a conversation about the issues, I want them to leave knowing that they have the tools to fight for the changes they believe in.”

Her heritage also shapes the depth of her message. “Each culture brings something vital to the table. Ecuador’s indigenous rhythms gave me a deep understanding of resistance, Spain’s flamenco taught me the power of raw emotion, and Lebanon’s history of survival has shown me the importance of resilience. This album reflects those influences, a blending of language, sounds and stories that speaks to the complexity of who I am and where I come from. It’s my way of honoring those roots by fusing them into something new, something that speaks to this moment. This album is intensely personal yet universal.”

The Weight of Conviction

Carrying such urgency night after night comes at a cost. Touring with music that addresses oppression and violence means confronting those realities constantly. “It’s hard, no doubt. The emotional toll can be heavy, especially when you’re constantly confronting issues that are painful and close to home,” she admitted. The pause in her voice carried both weariness and determination. “But the connection with the audience is what keeps me going. I remind myself that every song I perform has a purpose, and the impact it has on others makes it all worthwhile. That collective energy fuels me, even when the road is tough.”

Her motivation is rooted in a sense of duty. “It comes from witnessing the oppression, the corruption, the inequality that continues to ravage communities all over the world. It’s not something I can just ignore. The urgency is about fighting for the future of our children, our communities, and all the people whose voices are being silenced. I grew up with a sense of responsibility, especially as an artist, to use my platform for something bigger than myself. When I see suffering or inequality, I can’t stay silent.”

A Circle of Trust

Eljuri does not carry this alone. On stage, her longtime collaborators Alex Alexander on drums and Winston Roye on bass form a backbone that keeps the sound alive and the message sharp. “Alex and Winston are like family,” she said. “Over the years, we’ve built a deep trust and understanding and I have felt their undeniable support of my vision. They push me to be better, to take risks, and they’ve always believed in the message of my music. There’s an unspoken chemistry we have that continues to evolve, and that’s rare to find.”

Their chemistry is visible in performance, when improvisation slips into precision and back again, as if the three share a single pulse. That trust allows her to take the risks her music demands.

A Closing Call

In the end, she insists that music has to do more than fill rooms. It has to leave people changed. “I want listeners to feel inspired. Lyrically, I hope they walk away thinking about the world in a new way and feeling the weight of what’s happening, but also empowered to act. Musically, I want them to be moved and feel connected to the music, the message, and to each other. It’s about the emotion the music evokes, whether in quiet reflection or a powerful wave of feeling. Through the rhythms and melodies, I hope they sense the urgency of the lyrics and the energy that comes from creating something that brings people together. If the album leaves them with a sense of possibility, hope, and maybe even a little peace — knowing music can be a source of strength and a reminder of our shared humanity — I’d consider it a success.”

It is clear Eljuri is offering more than songs. With Así es el Mundo, she is extending a hand, asking her listeners to take the music with them, into their communities, their protests, and their daily lives, and to answer its call for change.