Meet Priscilla Rodriguez | Bilingual rapper, writer, photographer, and cultural promoter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Priscilla Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Priscilla, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My music as well as my current project “Nogaleria” highlights the importance of history and cultural preservation. People in my bordertown community have been called to look into themselves, to analize and honor their roots, through the poems I created and the murals I have arranged along with other local artists in Ambos Nogales, the border region of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. By fortifying the bordertown identity of my own people through the arts, I am preparing the grounds for my hometown to become a more culturally enriched and motivated community, inspiring being proud of this place of the earth, to give back with our talents as much as we can.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been making rap music for about 15 years now, mainly voicing my inner dialogues into songs. I travelled around Mexico and Europe and when I came back to my hometown at the border, I realizd how important my bordertown identity is and I started to focus more on this narrative in my music. I also took along other art projects including mural making and opening spaces for other young artists because in my hometown this had been very limited, up until now. I have been emphasizing the importance of being aware of my roots and honoring them, contaging it to others into feeling proud of who they are. I slowly but steadily have seen the growth in my community, and each time there is more young artists emerging which I encourage to participate in my events.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Definitely a tour of the murals downtown that have been done recently, like the Charles Mingus mural. Under my project Nogaleria, the murals depict history points and elements that define us here at the bordertown of Nogales. It is still a small town and has so much history to explore, old buildings that hold many memories of visitors and those who live here. I would also take them across the line to Mexico to have amazing authentic mexican food and visit artist that have many stories to tell and unique art for sale.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been working with The Hilltop Art Gallery recently, which is a non profit organization that has been hosting art exhibits for 50 years. Children’s art classes are also part of the programming, and now I have been running an open mic event every second Wednesday of the month since April. The community has been growing, young and old talents come out of their shell everytime, mainly culminating in a freestyle/jamming session. Each open mic night gets filled with more and more people sharing their gifts, cultivating a monthly community gathering to appreciate the arts. Thanks to the gallery I have been able to have a very direct connection with the people in my community.

Instagram: nefftys

Facebook: Nefftys, Nogaleria

Youtube: Priscilla Nefftys channel

Image Credits
Photos from the Nogaleria project Nefftys performing by Angela Gervassi Nogales, AZ tours in partnership with Border Community Alliance NEPH album cover art Lost tapes of the last decade cover art Nefftys with bucket hat by Jhonathan F. Gomez