In Part 2 of our conversation with Peruvian-American singer Marcel Ledoux, we explore music, identity, and the pressure to be culturally “authentic.” Marcel opens up about his artistic evolution, the tension between creativity and belonging, and what it means to reconnect with your heritage — even if you didn’t grow up speaking the language.

🎙️ We talk Drake, Bad Bunny, NSYNC, the power of vulnerability, and Marcel’s upcoming music project — built around identity, healing, and real-life emotions.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Previously on Growing Up Spanglish…

01:00 – Optimism bias & the illusion of safety

02:00 – A Black men’s book club, sparked by his son

03:00 – Why Bad Bunny feels authentic (and Drake doesn’t)

06:30 – What it means to “plant your flag” for your people

08:00 – Genre-hopping vs. cultural ownership

09:00 – Is Drake just playing a role?

10:30 – Take Care, vulnerability, and the “cool guy” shift

13:00 – Genre rules: why hip hop doesn’t get grace

14:00 – Shaboozey, cowboys & country rap

15:00 – When the music doesn’t match the story

16:00 – Can artists still evolve and be real?

17:30 – Artists who changed the game: GOAT talk

20:00 – Why authenticity always wins

21:00 – Marcel’s own musical evolution

24:30 – Happy-sad music & resisting the industry “product”

26:30 – Writing through depression: “Everything’s Fine”

29:00 – Why Marcel struggles with the “product” of being an artist

30:00 – Paying homage vs. crossing a cultural line

31:00 – The moment he was given “permission” to claim his Peruvian identity

34:00 – Roxy’s final words: This is your green light to explore your heritage

🎧 Part 1 is live now — go back and listen if you missed it!

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