José Rafael Cordero Sánchez stands out among musicians with his unique approach. Based in Dallas, Texas this Venezuelan-born composer combines electronic pop music with meaningful social commentary and strong ethical convictions. Cordero Sánchez makes use of both his musical creations and digital media to address topics such as forced migration and political oppression as well as animal rights which defines him as a mission-driven artist. His songwriting expresses both the hardship and perseverance of his generation while his activism encourages kindness towards all creatures.
The artist reveals his creative methods and explains how he uses music to protest while healing and offering hope alongside his Venezuelan roots in this interview.
What led you to fuse electronic pop with lyrics of social criticism toward the Venezuelan government?
I understood that music is a powerful tool not only for entertainment, but also for communicating profound realities. Electronic pop has a vibrant energy that easily connects with people, but I wanted to use that connection for more than just getting them to dance. I decided to fuse it with lyrics of social criticism because I felt the need to talk about the situation in Venezuela: the injustice, the corruption, the suffering of ordinary people. It was a way to turn the rhythm into a cry of protest, to transform each beat into a reminder that we cannot remain silent in the face of the pain in my country.
Many associate electronic music with lighthearted or party-oriented themes. How do you manage to give it a tone of protest and reflection within this genre?
It’s true that electronic music is often associated with party atmospheres and escapism, but for me, that energy has immense potential to convey serious messages. What I do is work hard on the lyrics, making sure they’re direct, emotional, and honest. I also play with sounds: I mix intense electronic beats with darker or melancholic moments that reflect anguish and resistance. That way, even though the rhythm is fast-paced, the words hit home, inviting you to think, to feel the protest within you.
Your songs address topics like the economic crisis, censorship, and forced migration. How important is the message in your lyrics compared to the catchy rhythm of electronic pop?
For me, the message is always the most important thing. The catchy rhythm of electronic pop is a tool to attract, to make people listen and stay, but the essence is in what I tell in the lyrics. Every word I write seeks to reflect realities that are often hidden: the crisis, censorship, the sadness of those forced to leave their homeland. I want my songs not only to be enjoyed, but also to invite reflection, to remind us not to forget what we are experiencing.
Do you feel that the vibrant sound of electronic music helps amplify the pain or hope conveyed by your lyrics?
Definitely yes. Electronic music has an impressive emotional force: it can make you feel euphoria, nostalgia, or resilience, all in a matter of seconds. In my case, I use that vibration to amplify both the pain and the hope contained in my lyrics. I want the listener to feel the shock of reality, but also a spark of faith, that we can change things. The energy of the sound reinforces the message: it’s not just what you say, but how you make it feel.
Which of your songs do you consider most directly represents a denunciation of the Venezuelan government’s policies, and why?
I think that, like “Crisisdosis,” “Muerto en vida,” and other songs that will be released very soon, address Venezuelan politics. All of these themes represent that denunciation more directly.
They speak starkly about the collapse of basic services, economic hopelessness, and the abandonment of the people. Each verse is a reflection of the damage that the Maduro regime’s policies have caused to entire generations. These are not embellished or disguised songs; they are a cry of exhaustion and rebellion, encapsulated in an electronic melody that seeks to be as urgent as the situation we are experiencing.
Have you ever felt censored or limited for expressing your political opinions through your music?
“Yes, I’ve felt that pressure at various times, especially when I was still living in Venezuela. There’s a constant fear of retaliation, of being silenced, of having your art blocked or persecuted. Although I’m now out of the country, that shadow of censorship is still present in some form. However, rather than limiting me, it has driven me to be clearer and braver in my lyrics. Music is my way of resisting, of saying what many feel but can’t freely express.”
On a production level, what electronic elements do you intentionally use to reflect the crisis or resistance in Venezuela?
In my production, I seek to create atmospheres that convey truth and also resilience. I use dark synthesizers, controlled distortions, broken beats, and ambient sounds that evoke sirens, blackouts, or empty spaces. Sometimes I include abrupt silences or sudden changes in rhythm to represent the instability experienced in Venezuela. Each sound effect isn’t there just for aesthetics, but to tell a story of struggle, pain, and hope.
How do you think your music can inspire other young Venezuelans to resist, dream, or demand change?
I hope my music serves as a mirror and an inspiration. I want young Venezuelans to see themselves reflected in the stories I tell and feel they are not alone in their pain or their dreams. Through my songs, I seek to remind them that resisting can also be a creative act, that raising our voices, dreaming, and demanding a better future is part of our identity. Music has the power to unite us and ignite that spark that reality sometimes tries to extinguish.
What differences do you see between composing electronic pop music for dancing and composing to raise social awareness?
The main difference lies in the intention. When you compose only for dancing, you seek to make the melody and rhythm the focus, for people to let themselves go without thinking too much. But when you compose to raise social awareness, every word, every sound has a deeper purpose. It’s not enough for the song to be catchy; it has to provoke something in the listener: reflection, discomfort, hope. In my case, I try to combine both worlds: getting the body moving, but also getting the heart and mind active.
Finally, what is your vision of an ideal future for Venezuela, and how do you plan to continue addressing it through your music?
My vision of an ideal future for Venezuela is a free, fair, and opportunity-filled country for all, where we don’t have to emigrate to seek dignity or fear expressing our ideas. I dream of a Venezuela where talent, effort, and hope are the foundation of growth, not corruption or fear. Through my music, I will continue telling our story, denouncing what is wrong, and celebrating what makes us strong. As long as injustice exists, I will continue writing; and when freedom comes, I will sing to rebuild and heal.
You can follow José Rafael Cordero Sánchez at @JoseRafaelCorderoSanchezMusic