At just 25, Monterrey-born singer-songwriter Humberto “HUMBE” Rodríguez Terrazas has become one of the most exciting Latin artists, blending introspective songwriting with atmospheric production and alternative pop influences. The independent, Latin GRAMMY-nominated musician has built a devoted global audience without compromising his artistic vision. Following a sold-out arena show in Mexico City, his biggest UK headline performance to date, and growing recognition from the global fashion and music industries, HUMBE is proving that music transcends language. Between touring, we caught up to discuss the making of DUEÑO DEL CIELO, creative independence, and finding an increasingly international audience with exclusive imagery shot by Krista Garza on tour.

This is your first world tour. Has anything surprised you about how audiences outside Mexico connect with your music?

Honestly, I still can’t believe the amazing reception I’m getting here. I feel the love, the empathy, and the connection people have with my music. I feel such a strong connection with the audience; I see them dancing, overcoming that language barrier, and it makes me feel so enlightened about the power of music.

You’re about to play Madrid and Barcelona. How was your experience in Spain, both on and off stage?

I’ve been waiting my whole life to sing in Spain. It’s honestly one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit since I was a little kid. I’ve been to both Madrid and Barcelona before. Barcelona once, actually, and I consider that one time one of the best days of my life. I felt so free. I was so young, with my friends, and we went swimming in the ocean with our clothes on in the middle of the night. It was so fun. Madrid is amazing as well. I loved it. The energy felt unmatched in both cities.

You were very musical growing up and played piano, guitar, even ukulele. How would you describe your childhood? Was your household creative?

My household has always been creative. I love my dad and how creative his mind is. He’s always going through different depths in his creativity and craft. He inspires me so much to be my most authentic self.

My mom has always had the most gorgeous voice. She doesn’t like me to say it, but she really does. She has a stunning voice, and I feel like I’m just a combination of both of them. So it’s probably genetics, lol.

At what point did you turn to writing your own songs?

There was this time when I was creating ENTROPÍA, my first self-produced album. I had already written some songs before that, but that album specifically really made me dig into my inner self and realize that I wanted to write and produce all of my songs because I feel that’s the way an artist truly connects with their music. Not just through singing or interpreting, but through writing their own feelings. Producing is also a way of songwriting.

DUEÑO DEL CIELO closes a trilogy exploring creation, destruction and rebirth. The title translates as “Owner of the Sky,” which feels almost mythological. What does the sky represent in your personal symbolism?

The sky represents everything in my personal symbolism. It’s a refuge in my mind. I’ve been captivated by its beauty for as long as I can remember. I love how it always presents itself in beautiful ways, whether it’s grey, pink, or completely clear; it’s always there for me.

There’s a kind of unavoidable peace that comes over me whenever I look at the sky, and I find endless inspiration in it. The concept of this whole album is me being on an empty planet that seems to have no beauty in it. But the beauty you think you can’t find is always there; you just have to look up at the sky, because there’s always something to see. You just have to be sensitive enough to notice it.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you recorded the album in rural Iceland, a place often associated with solitude, extremes and vast landscapes. What did that environment unlock creatively?

Iceland was such a magical place for my creativity, and for bringing this album together. Even though I didn’t actually finish it there, but I did a few months later, working on it nonstop. But the creative flow and the creative sessions of writing were mostly done in Iceland and it was beautiful. We went during summer, when there are only about two hours of darkness each day. It’s basically pure daylight, so we really just worked our asses off that whole month. It was amazing, I loved it, and we all connected so much: my brother, my sister-in-law, and Navi, who co-produced some of the songs with me. I do believe it was Iceland’s environment and how amazing it all felt.

Are there any painters, writers, poets, photographers, or filmmakers who inspire your creative process?

There’s a bunch of them, of course, but lately I’ve been especially inspired by SenLinYu, the author of Alchemised. It’s a novel I love, and it’s my first novel in a while; I connected so much throughout the book. Not because of the plot, but for the way she writes, how sensitive her writing is, how sensitive her way of expressing each emotion and sentiment is. It feels very pure, peaceful, and empathetic towards how you feel as a reader.

You’re not only a songwriter but also heavily involved in production. What role does producing play in helping you express ideas that words alone can’t capture?

I feel that producing in songwriting is one of the most fun parts, one of the moments in which you let your brain just fly without overthinking, just leap into the air, and, in the cringiest way possible, you literally float. You lose track of time, you lose track of everything while you’re producing. So I feel like it’s the best way to free myself from a creative blockage.

You’re operating in an era where artists are expected to be musicians, content creators, marketers, and brands all at once. Which version of yourself do you struggle with most?

I feel like whenever you need to work on a lot of things at once, you never end up mastering any of them. So I try to only do what I do best, which is make music. So that’s the only area I really take care of, and then the rest consequently comes naturally.

While on the road, what’s on your playlist? Any surprises?

I’ve just discovered this amazing artist MILLI, and I’m absolutely obsessed with her.

Is there one album that changed your life?

Yes, CASE STUDY 01 by Daniel Caesar really changed my life.

Are there any places you will be visiting for the first time?

Yes actually. I’d never been to Berlin, Cologne, and Zurich. And I had been to Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Barcelona, and Madrid before, but when I was younger, so I feel that every place is new to me, and I was really excited to finally visit them.

Is there a city that inspires you creatively?

It’s not really about the city, but it’s the feeling I get when I’m there; Cancún definitely.

Have you ever been advised to make your music more “global” or more commercially accessible? How do you protect your instincts?

I have. At the beginning of my growing stage, I was heavily recommended to embark on different genres that I don’t really represent and don’t really like to defend. Since I had the voice for them, I was heavily influenced into experimenting with them. But I’m really not into anyone telling me what to do, honestly. I just love doing whatever feels right, whatever feels fun.

Does it ever frustrate you when Latin artists are grouped together despite making completely different kinds of music?

I feel like generalization is one of the worst mistakes to make in the industry. I feel like every single artist has something different to share, even though you have to search for it. I don’t think it’s something that only happens in the Latin community, but something that happens in every community in the world. So yeah, I think everyone has something special to bring to the table.

Your visual identity is becoming increasingly recognizable with every concert and tour, not to mention we caught up with you at the Louis Vuitton show last summer during Men’s Paris Fashion Week. Which brands or designers do you find yourself gravitating toward on stage?

I honestly love everything that’s happening in fashion right now. I feel like men’s fashion is evolving at a very fast pace, and I’m extremely happy to be able to embody every single outfit I use on stage. So I’m not really about a specific brand. I love so many, but I do have a special place in my heart for coldculture.

Do you see fashion as another storytelling tool, similar to music?

Of course, fashion is the extension of everything you represent creatively.

Is there a dream fashion house or designer you’d love to collaborate with in the future?

TwoJeys.

Looking back at old photos of yourself, is there one trend or look you definitely regret?

A bunch of them, but mainly skinny jeans.

I’m sorry, but I think skinny jeans are making a comeback. Look ahead though: what do you hope you’ll say about this period of your career?

That I lived happily, that I lived every moment. I like to remind myself that you can’t live in the past or future, to always live in the present, and in that way you’ll always be happy. So I’d like to remember that I was always living in the present.