This Is Why Quevedo Took a Break From Music, Then Returned With ‘Buenas Noches’

Quevedo’s story is one of rapid ascent, intense pressure, and a much-needed retreat. Known for his collaboration with Bizarrap on “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” the Spanish artist’s career exploded into the global music scene, making him a household name. However, as quickly as Quevedo shot to fame, he recognized the need for a break—a break not from creating music, but from the public’s constant gaze, media pressure, and relentless touring. This period of introspection ultimately led to his second album, Buenas Noches, which marks his return to the industry after a year-long hiatus.

The Meteoric Rise of Quevedo

In mid-2022, Quevedo was still a relatively unknown artist on the global stage, even though he had already experienced success in his home country of Spain. His track “Cayo La Noche,” a collaboration with several other Spanish artists, reached No. 145 on the Global 200 chart. But his true breakthrough came in late 2022 when he collaborated with Bizarrap, Argentina’s music producer, on Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52. The song quickly soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, making Quevedo and Bizarrap the first artists from Spain and Argentina, respectively, to reach the coveted spot. This success opened the door for Quevedo to a global audience, with his deep, distinctive voice and blend of dance, pop, and urban sounds gaining traction worldwide.

Despite his success, Quevedo’s rise to fame was anything but easy. The constant attention, the grueling media rounds, and the endless tours weighed heavily on the 21-year-old artist. He had spent years working toward this moment, but when it arrived, it didn’t bring the peace and joy he had imagined. Instead, it brought pressure, fatigue, and a sense of disconnection from his original love for music.

The Decision to Take a Break

By early 2023, Quevedo made the difficult decision to take a break from the public eye. He had just released his debut album, Donde Quiero Estar, which debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart, signaling his commercial success. But despite the accolades, Quevedo felt overwhelmed. He had spent so much time focusing on his career and his dreams that he hadn’t given himself the space to truly reflect on whether he was happy with what he was doing. “From when I started to when we made ‘Cayo La Noche’ and the session with Bizarrap, I really didn’t have a chance to stop and decide: Do I like what I’m doing?” Quevedo explained in a later interview. “I needed to stop and focus.”

The break wasn’t about quitting music altogether. Rather, it was a way to disconnect from the public and media attention, which Quevedo found overwhelming. “For me, the break is not about not going to the studio. I love going to the studio,” he said. “For me, it was about not being in the public eye. What I didn’t want was media pressure, keep traveling every week.” It was a break from fame, a chance to breathe and consider where he wanted to go next in his career and life.

During this break, Quevedo spent time in the studio, working on his second album, Buenas Noches. The process of making the album spanned two years, starting in 2022 before his break, and continuing throughout 2023. For Quevedo, the time away from the spotlight allowed him to reconnect with his passion for music and gave him the strength to return to his career on his own terms.

The Return with Buenas Noches

Quevedo’s return to music was marked by the release of his second album, Buenas Noches, which came out on November 21, 2024. The album features 18 tracks that mix pop, urban, and experimental sounds, drawing on a variety of influences, from early 2000s pop to modern urban reggaetón. Collaborations on the album include prominent artists like Sech, De La Ghetto, Pitbull, and Aitana. With its eclectic mix of sounds, Buenas Noches is a reflection of Quevedo’s creative freedom and desire to create music that he truly enjoyed.

In an interview, Quevedo described the album as “eclectic” and focused on fun, saying, “What I most wanted was to flow in the studio and do things that I felt like doing. Make a fun album above all, not so introspective. There are songs that are more personal, but the majority are for people to have fun with.” This lighthearted approach marked a contrast from the more introspective moments on his debut album, Donde Quiero Estar. For Quevedo, Buenas Noches was about making music that would energize and excite his fans, while still staying true to his artistic identity.

However, the album also reflects Quevedo’s personal journey. Despite his decision to focus on creating fun, energetic tracks, the album is not entirely free from introspection. Some of the songs, such as the focus track “Kassandra,” tackle themes of loneliness and self-reflection, with Quevedo exploring the emptiness that can accompany fame. “Kassandra” tells the story of a celebrity who appears to have it all but is ultimately alone. Similarly, the track “Iguales” discusses the life of a womanizer who constantly seeks new conquests but remains unfulfilled. These themes of loneliness, disconnection, and self-exploration tie into the overall narrative of Quevedo’s journey—finding peace with himself and navigating the challenges of fame.

The album also features the song “Mr. Moondial” with Pitbull, a collaboration that Quevedo had dreamed of but didn’t know would come to fruition. “We always said, ‘Let’s do something very pop… very Pitbull,’” Quevedo said of the track. “We made the track, I recorded my bit, we called the song ‘Mr. Worldwide.’ And we always said, we have to get Pitbull.” Pitbull, who recorded his part two and a half weeks before the album’s release, has yet to meet Quevedo in person, but the collaboration remains a standout moment on the album.

The Symbolism of the Album’s Cover

The cover of Buenas Noches features a smiling Quevedo wearing dark glasses, speaking with cameras in a paparazzi-like setting. The image is intentionally inspired by Michael Jordan’s famous 1995 photo, where Jordan is seen smiling after announcing his return to basketball following his father’s death. For Quevedo, the cover symbolizes his own return to the music industry after his year-long break. It’s a way for him to say, “I’m back”—a triumphant, yet grounded, return to doing what he loves.

The album’s aesthetic plays with themes of fame, media attention, and the pressures of the public eye. While much of the album is upbeat and celebratory, the cover and some of the lyrics reveal Quevedo’s ongoing struggle with fame. His ability to navigate this complex relationship with celebrity shows his growth as an artist and as a person.

The Influence of Modern Albums

When discussing albums that influenced him in the creation of Buenas Noches, Quevedo mentioned two standout records: Rosalía’s Motomami and Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG. Rosalía’s Motomami was praised for its ability to push boundaries and create a cohesive concept that was both experimental and visually striking. Quevedo admired how Rosalía created an entirely new universe with her music and visuals. Similarly, YHLQMDLG by Bad Bunny changed the landscape of Latin music, confirming the global dominance of Latin reggaetón and inspiring artists to create albums that were more than just a collection of singles. For Quevedo, these albums solidified the idea that albums should have a clear concept and vision, making Buenas Noches more than just a collection of songs.

Quevedo’s Growth as an Artist

The process of making Buenas Noches and taking a break from the industry has allowed Quevedo to grow not only as an artist but also as an individual. He has come to terms with the fact that fame is a byproduct of his success, but it’s not the thing that truly drives him. What drives him is the moment of creation—the joy of making music and connecting with his fans through his art. This realization marks a pivotal point in Quevedo’s career. His decision to take a step back was an acknowledgment of the need for balance, allowing him to return with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

As he moves forward in his career, Quevedo’s story serves as a reminder that success in the music industry, like any other field, can be overwhelming. But it’s also a reminder that it’s possible to take a break, reflect, and return with a fresh perspective. With Buenas Noches, Quevedo has created an album that reflects not only his artistic growth but also his personal journey—a journey that continues to evolve as he embraces both the highs and lows of fame.

In the end, Quevedo’s return is not just about the music; it’s about reconnecting with his true self and finding the balance between his passion and the pressures of the industry. Buenas Noches is a testament to his resilience, creativity, and commitment to making music that he loves, regardless of the spotlight that comes with it.