Natti Natasha gives birth to ‘Nattividad’ (and a daughter)
Natti Natasha was told she couldn’t have children after unsuccessful in vitro fertilization. But this year, the Dominican singer gave birth twice.
Natasha and partner Raphy Pina welcomed daughter Vida Isabelle in May. On Friday, Natasha introduced her “other baby” — new album “Nattividad.”
“It’s a rebirth of Natalia Gutierrez. It’s a rebirth of Natti Natasha, where I reassure myself one more time and say, ‘You don’t have to stop being who you are for nothing in the world. For no one in the world,’ ” she says. “I cannot ask for permission to be happy in my professional life and also have a family. I’m going to be happy in all my process. That’s what ‘Nattividad’ is to me.”
The album reflects that duality in multiple aspects. The cover art is dominated by a baby carriage. A vintage microphone and pacifier hang just above.
The album title, “Nattividad,” is a play on several words: Natti Natasha, nativity and the Spanish word for Christmas (Navidad).
“I just gave the fans a Christmas gift a little early,” she says. “And another fun fact is that in my house, I have had my Christmas tree up for over a year. I love Christmas.”
Natasha began working on the album at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, determined to create something upbeat and inspirational. On top of those challenges, this was when she found out she couldn’t, then could, have children and was indeed pregnant. It refocused and re-energized the music she was creating.
“I taught myself that maybe some situations are not as bad as we always think. I did get bad news, but I tried to keep being positive. I was proud of myself,” she says. “Some days I did feel like (expletive), and I didn’t have a lot of energy. I didn’t say anything because, ‘Well, I feel like this because I’m pregnant, so it’s great, and I’m going to keep working on this because I have a due date.’ And I loved having a due date.”
“Nattividad” still features the reggaeton anthems that have made Natasha one of the biggest new names in Latin pop. But she expands into other sounds, including dance and pop-centered tracks. Six singles and videos have already been released, including the club bop “Noches en Miami” and “Imposible Amor” with Maluma. Lyrically, she’s also looking more inward and says its the most fun she’s had making music.
“I didn’t have any worries in my head anymore. I said, ‘I’m going to enjoy this moment. I’m going to enjoy the process of this album, even the hard days.’ I feel like that helped me go through absolutely everything,” she says.
Natasha’s first album, “Illuminati,” was released in 2019 and spawned an astonishing 10 singles. The pace made her inescapable on radio and streaming platforms. She’s also benefited from several key collaborations. Two of her videos, “Sin Pijama” with Becky G and “Criminal” with Ozuna, have hit the 2 billion mark on YouTube.
She paired with Mexican icon Thalia for “No Me Acuerdo,” a raucous party track about not remembering what happened the night before. That video has racked up 1.2 billion views and remains a fan favorite.
“Thalia has to be the most fun, energetic, beautiful person that exists. I don’t know anyone else with that energy,” Natasha says. “She’s a perfect example that you can do everything you love. She has her beautiful family. She still loves what she does. Those are the type of women that you have to look up to.”
Natasha is a vocal proponent of collaborating with women, something she says doesn’t happen enough in Spanish-language music. “Nattividad” features
“Las Nenas” with Farina, Cazzu and La Duraca and “Ram Pam Pam,” another duet with Becky G that has topped radio playlists.
“I know what it feels like to not have an opportunity, to not have a possibility of belonging,” Natasha says. “This movement has to keep afloat. And the way for girls to stay in the game is to keep collaborating. Guys do it, so I don’t know why we can’t do it.”
Her dream partner? Lauryn Hill — and she doesn’t even have to sing a word.
“If I can get a ‘hi’ from her, I would just die right now. One hi. Just a glimpse. You don’t have to collaborate with me,” she says with a laugh.
And though daughter Vida Isabelle isn’t yet a year old, mom is hoping it runs in the family.
“I do know that she’s used to listening to music. She doesn’t get scared or get annoyed by it,” Natasha says. “La aya acostumbrado — she’s used to it. She starts moving her little legs. I don’t know if it’s that yet, but I hope so.”