We recently had the chance to connect with José Ortega and have shared our conversation below.
José, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up early in the morning to do some calisthenics or ride bycicle, then I have breakfast and around 10am I am working in the studio until around 6pm. Then I have dinner and chill with my family.
In the studio I produce music, compose, record, edit, mix, master, have videocall meetings, respond emails, whatsapp messages, arrange payments etc…
It’s a fun routine!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is José Ortega, best known as Costa Rebel. I’m a music producer, musician and sound engineer. I work on the reggae business with artists from allover the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, US, Canada, Latin America and Africa. I’m from Costa Rica, we have a mixture of latin, spanish, caribbean, indigenous and north american culture.
I specialize in Roots Reggae and new branches or contemporary styles of it, I have worked on productions for some of the biggest artists in the scene and upcoming artists as well. I could name, Capleton, Little Lon Sound, Cedric Myton, Million Stylez, General Degree, Chezidek, Lutan Fyah, Mukkaround, Bobby Hustle… Just to name a few.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I felt powerful when I was 16 year old, just when I realised I could create melodies in my mind. I guess I found something I really enjoyed and something I could make a living from.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes definitely, I had a little independent label, it was really just me doing everything. I run it for almost 15 years, and I believe I shut it down 3 times!! I mean, the label still exists under the name “Costa Rebel Studio” but I stop working as a label and start providing music production sevices to other labels and artists.
Everytime It felt like giving up, but it was just a change of direction really…
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I try to make it like that. But I like to choose which aspects of my personal life I share with the public. So the public version of me it’s just a little part of the real me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe so, cause everybody told me it’s very hard to make it on the music business, to persue something else and keep music as a hobbie!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.costarebelstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costarebel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/costarebel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/costarebel
Image Credits
Sergio Martínez, Ileana Chase
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