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Uruguayan Doctor Wins Oscar, Defies Dictatorship
9 Nov
Summary
- Jorge Drexler won an Oscar for best original song.
- He grew up under a dictatorship hostile to artists.
- Drexler balances science and poetry in his music.
Jorge Drexler, a Uruguayan doctor and musician, achieved global recognition with an Oscar win for best original song. His formative years were spent under a civic-military dictatorship in Montevideo, a regime that suppressed artists and intellectuals. This challenging upbringing profoundly influenced his work, leading him to explore themes of science and poetry.
Initially a part-time musician while practicing medicine, Drexler faced skepticism from both his professional circles. He moved to Madrid in his thirties, where his career as a singer-songwriter, or 'cantautor,' began to flourish after initial commercial failures. He found his unique voice by merging scientific concepts with poetic expression.
Drexler's music gained wider acclaim with songs like 'Todo Se Transforma,' inspired by scientific principles, and 'Movimiento,' exploring human migration. These compositions, alongside others focusing on the origins of love, have garnered multiple Latin Grammys. His latest album, 'Taracá,' marks a return to his Uruguayan roots with the candombe sound.
Reflecting on his success, Drexler views "éxito" (success) as "the way out," a term also used in medicine for death, signifying an end. However, he embraces the creative process, indicating he is not yet ready for such an "exit."
