What is love, after all, if not a blind bet?

When we fall in love, we embark on a game where we could win or lose everything; love is life’s greatest gamble, the ultimate risk. It’s precisely this dangerous game that inspires our February Issue, It Takes Control, so titled to reference how love can become an obsession—sometimes comparable to compulsive gambling—an irresistible impulse that can lead to extreme consequences.

To embody our main character, we could think of no better love expert than Sebastián Yatra, one of the most prominent Spanish-speaking artists in the world. Yatra's lyrics, set to rhythms that make us dance no matter where we are, invite us to fall in love and explore the risky game of romance.

In the world we are about to enter, a kiss can be the winning move in poker; a caress, the decisive play in a chess match; and a few words of love, the perfect roll of the dice.

Working with the singer of "Tacones Rojos" was not only a pleasant experience but also fun and highly productive, as Yatra made time in his schedule to step in front of our photographer’s camera in the sets we prepared for him.

With new releases and more on the way, how about we let Sebastián Yatra tell us a little more about himself, his career, and his style?

The Walk: Which singers inspire you in your day-to-day life?

Sebastián Yatra: There are many. I feel like they each bring me something different. For example, I'm inspired by Mexicans like Reik, Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez, and even Molotov.

TW: Now that concerts are back post-pandemic, is there a solo artist or band you'd love to see live?

SY: I went to see Molotov in Mexico last year, and I loved it!

TW: What songs do you enjoy performing live the most?

SY: Wow, all of them—they’re all special and convey so many emotions. On this new tour that kicks off in Mexico, it’s not just a show where you come to see me; you’ll see yourselves, reflected in every emotion these songs evoke. It’s therapeutic, and it's a privilege to be part of that.

TW: Why did you name your new album Dharma?

SY: For me, Dharma is about accepting reality. An easy way to understand it is by comparing it to Karma. Dharma is the flip side of the coin—it’s something positive. When I read about the concept, it clicked. I realized that’s been my life for the past two years: accepting reality, living in the now, and letting go of living with too many expectations.

TW: What can you tell us about this new album?

SY: It’s an album full of emotions. Many people shared a piece of their lives and stories with me, and it’s a very honest album.

TW: What types of rhythms can we expect, and what themes are explored in the lyrics?

SY: This isn’t just an album of songs, it’s an album of stories, of real names and surnames. It’s also not a genre album—I forgot about genres a long time ago. I focused on the rhythms and harmonies that express the truth of the story I wanted to tell. It’s honest, and I’m opening my heart more than ever.

TW: How do you find inspiration to write songs?

SY: It excites me when the process flows—when you don’t feel like you’re writing a song, but rather capturing an emotion. Every song has its own life and story. If I wrote them all the same way, they’d sound the same. Where you write, what instruments you use, and whether you start with a melody or an idea—all of these shape the song.

TW: When you started your career, did you ever expect to reach the Grammys and Latin Grammys? How did it feel to hear about the nominations?

SY: It’s always thrilling, something you never expect. Every song that gets nominated is a different and exciting experience.

TW: What can you tell us about your upcoming Netflix series?

SY: In a few months, Érase una vez... pero ya no will be released. It’s a new series by Manolo Caro, and I play the lead role. I loved acting, and I want to do it again.

TW: What are your plans for 2022?

SY: To fall in love with Dharma, launch the series, and tour the world.