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Luis Gamarra

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Luis Gamarra
Birth nameLuis Gamarra Mayser
Born (1992-12-15) 15 December 1992 (age 32)
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Genres
Occupation
  • Singer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present

Luis Gamarra Mayser (born 15 December 1992) is a Bolivian pop singer and LGBT rights activist.[1]

In 2023, Gamarra adopted the stage name Gamay for his performances,[2] a decision he reversed a year later by returning to his original name, Luis Gamarra.[3]

Early life

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Since he was a child, Gamarra showed an innate talent for music. Despite being bullied at school due to his high-pitched voice and his love for singing and dancing, he found in music a means to be accepted.[4] A modest school presentation at the age of 8 marked the beginning of Gamarra's passion for music.[4] Since then, he became a regular participant in all the school festivals at his school, La Salle.[5] At the age of 18, Gamarra left his studies at UPSA and his hometown, Santa Cruz, to pursue his musical dreams in the United States.

Career

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2013–2016: Singing competitions and training at Berklee

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At age 23, Gamarra rose to international fame in 2013 when he auditioned on the twelfth season of American Idol, produced by the Fox television network.[6] His audition in front of celebrities Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban was unforgettable and was captured in a video that went viral.[7] Thanks to these experiences, he entered the Berklee College of Music in 2014,[8] located in Massachusetts, from where he studied music business and management and graduated in 2017.[9][7]

In August 2014, Gamarra released his first album titled “Murallas”. The official presentation of the album took place on August 15 at the Big Apple of the Bolivian American Center.[10] Later, in January 2015, Gamarra presented the video clip of "Murallas" filmed in Rhode Island.[11]

In 2015, realizing that he was the only Bolivian at Berklee, Gamarra decided to found 'Sonidos Bolivianos', a non-profit organization.[6] His goal was to provide other young Bolivians with the same opportunities he had, facilitating their access to the best artistic institutions in the world.[9][6] As a result of the work of this Foundation, the Berklee College of Music extended its reach to Bolivia to carry out auditions, and now other talented Bolivians are pursuing their careers at that institution.[6]

In collaboration with his foundation, Gamarra produced a commemorative version of the national anthem of Bolivia, just before 6 August, the day of the independence of Bolivia.[12] This production featured the Berklee College of Music and several Bolivian musicians.[13] The music video was filmed in the impressive setting of the Salar de Uyuni.[14] Such was the impact and relevance of this production that the video was shared by the official networks of the Bolivian government in commemoration of the 191 years of Bolivia's independence.[15]

Continuing with his career, in September 2015, Gamarra returned to the music reality show scene by participating in La Banda on the Univision television network in the United States.[16] During his participation in the program, Gamarra impressed musical figures such as Ricky Martin, Laura Pausini and Alejandro Sanz, reinforcing his presence in music.[17] However, his time on the program took an unexpected turn when Gamarra had to leave the competition due to health reasons. Despite his premature departure, Gamarra remained resilient and sent a heartfelt message to his fans.[18] At the end of 2015, after his participation in 'La Banda', Gamarra was recognized as one of the People of the Year and received the Bronze Patujú, the highest award given by El Deber.[19] He shared this honor with television host Anabel Angus.[19]

During his time at Berklee in 2016, Gamarra worked on a notable project titled "Yo Soy Inmigrante", a song that pays tribute to the immigrant experience in America.[20] The song was sponsored by the Berklee Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship (BerkleeICE) and featured 50 musicians and dancers from Berklee and The Boston Conservatory.[9][21]

2019–2022: Foray into film and collaboration with UNICEF

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In mid-2019, Gamarra lent his voice and lyrics to the official song for "Tu me manques," a film by Bolivian director Rodrigo Bellot. Bellot's film premiered internationally at the Outfest Los Angeles Film Festival, one of the most important LGBTQ+ film festivals in the United States.[22] The musical piece, titled "No cambio por ti," reflects Gamarra's experience growing up gay in Bolivia. In this way, both Gamarra's song and Bellott's film reflect the experiences of gay people in societies that don't accept them.[23]

During the 2020 quarantine, Gamarra, along with Edmar Colón, performed "La Paz," a nearly five-minute musical piece available on YouTube that calls for global harmony. This song is the result of the project “Songs for World Peace”, led by Utako Toyama, a former student at Berklee College of Music.[24] That same year, Gamarra released ‘Entre tú y yo’, a song that fuses pop with Bolivian folklore.[25] The song, which tells of a forbidden encounter between two people, begins with urban-tinged pop sounds and then introduces zampoñas and the cadence of the saya, traditional sounds of Bolivia.[25]

In March 2022, Gamarra released "Libre", his fourth and most introspective album, which includes six songs of his own authorship in genres such as urban pop, folk, rock, and ballad.[26] This album, recorded between Los Angeles and Mexico City with the collaboration of renowned writers and producers, chronologically narrates his personal story, from the experience of his first love, through the brave act of revealing his sexual orientation, to reaching a state of inner peace and self-acceptance.[26] Additionally, it was honored as Album of the Year at the Bolivia Music Awards.[27]

In June 2022, Gamarra released the single "De Viaje" in collaboration with UNICEF and the Familia Segura program.[28] The song, which Gamarra composed during a difficult time in his life, seeks to promote the importance of mental health among young people and adolescents.[29] The "De Viaje" campaign also included Gamarra's testimony about his own struggles with mental health.[28] Towards the end of 2022, Gamarra collaborated with Lu de la Tower to make a remix of "De Viaje".[30] This joint effort sought to further amplify the impact of the original campaign and reaffirm his commitment to humanitarian causes.[31]

2023–present: Brief retirement and transition to Gamay

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In mid-2023, Gamarra announced his retirement from music.[32] However, at the end of the same year, he returned to the music scene with a new stage name, Gamay.[2] The name Gamay is a combination of his two surnames, Gamarra and Mayser, in homage to his family.[33] With this change, he released his first single "Encontrándome", a song that combines cheerful pop rhythms with reflective and positive lyrics.[3] The single was accompanied by a music video that told the story of how Luis Gamarra found his true essence being recognized as Videoclip of the Year at the Bolivia Music Awards 2023.[2][34]

During the month of May 2023, UNICEF Bolivia presented the telethon "Tiempo de Actuar 2023", which took place on June 4 and broadcast through Red Uno de Bolivia.[35] This campaign sought to turn obstacles into opportunities for girls and the country's children.[36] As part of this initiative, Gamarra actively participated in promoting the telethon.[36]

In July 2024, Gamarra returned to his original stage name, Luis Gamarra, after a year of performing under the pseudonym Gamay. The decision marked the beginning of a new phase in his career, accompanied by the re-release of the single "Finding Me" and the production of his third album, "De Viaje," recorded in Mexico with producer Daniel "Vago" Galindo.[37]

On 9 April 2025, the single "Hey!" (Are You There?) was released, a collaboration with Alwa, recognized as Bolivia's first cholita rapper. The song, composed in a context of social and economic crisis, addresses messages of empathy, resilience, and unity, and is part of the thematic focus on mental health and personal development that has characterized his career.[38]

Personal life

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Sexual orientation

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In October 2018, Gamarra made his sexual orientation public through an open letter on his Facebook account titled "It Was Always Me."[39] In the letter, Gamarra introduces his partner, Brian, and speaks openly about the struggle he faced due to his sexual orientation.[40]

Gamarra publicly shared his five-year relationship and the process of coming out to his family, a moment that, although painful, resulted in family support.[40] Despite concerns about potential backlash, he published an open letter that was well-received, garnering many supportive comments.[41][40] Additionally, Gamarra encouraged others in similar situations to live authentically and keep the faith.[40]

During the pandemic in 2020, Gamarra joined the Bolivia LGBTIQ Pride March, which was held virtually.[1] Gamarra opened the march with his song "Libre" and led a list of the marchers. of musicians who participated in the event.[1] This act of participation in the virtual march is a reflection of their commitment to equal rights and the visibility of the LGBTIQ community.[1]

Political activism

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At the age of 24, in 2017, Gamarra had the opportunity to deliver a speech at the Organization of American States. During his speech, he expressed his concern for democracy in South America and joined the Bolivian voices calling for support to prevent Bolivia from following the path of Venezuela.[42]

In 2019, Gamarra protested outside the OAS in Washington, D.C., in response to alleged fraud in that year's Bolivian elections. He shared a video of his protest on social media, calling for respect for the Bolivian vote.[43]

Discography

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Credits taken from iTunes.[44]

Compilation albums

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  • 2022: Libre

EPs

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  • 2025: Mejor

Singles

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  • 2017: 1-800-273-8255
  • 2017: Sigue Pa' delante
  • 2019: Por un Beso
  • 2019: Por un Beso (Remix)
  • 2020: Libre
  • 2020: Entre Tú Y Yo
  • 2022: No Siento Más (Live Session) (featuring SMJ)
  • 2022: De Viaje
  • 2022: De Viaje (featuring Lu de la Tower)
  • 2023: Mi Dosis De Drama
  • 2024: Encontrándome
  • 2024: Dónde realmente estoy
  • 2024: Hey! ¿Estás ahí?
  • 2025: Lo que tenga que pasar (featuring Paola Sulser)
  • 2025: HEY! ¿ESTÁS AHÍ? (featuring Alwa Bolivia)

Awards and nominations

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Bolivia Music Awards

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Year Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Best Music Video with a Positive Message Libre Won [45]
Best Foreign Artist Himself Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
2022 Album of the Year Libre Won [27]
Song of the Year De Viaje Nominated
Best Pop Artist Himself Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
2023 Video of the Year Encontrándome Won [34]
Best Pop Artist Himself Nominated
Breakthrough Artist Nominated
Male Artist of the Year Nominated
2024 Best Pop Artist Nominated [46]
Best Foreign Artist Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Realizan marcha virtual del orgullo LGBTIQ Bolivia 2020". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Luis Gamarra se despidió de la música para encontrar a Gamay, su nuevo nombre artístico". El Deber (in European Spanish). 2 June 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Gamay presenta "Encontrándome" junto a un video musical con inteligencia artificial". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 19 June 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Gamay: "Ser diferente me hacía sentir incomprendido y añoraba ser entendido por los demás"". El Deber (in European Spanish). 11 June 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  5. ^ Cadena, Patricia (1 August 2013). "Luis Gamarra: "Mi sueño es ser el primer boliviano en ganar un grammy"". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Bolivia, Opinión (26 February 2016). "Luis Gamarra, el cantante que abre senderos de éxito en EEUU". Opinión Bolivia (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Luis Gamarra cantante boliviano". El País Tarija (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. ^ Redacción (27 June 2014). "Luis Gamarra es un orgullo boliviano". El Tiempo Latino (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "'Yo Soy Inmigrante:' Berklee Student Sings of the Immigrant Experience | Berklee College of Music". college.berklee.edu. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  10. ^ Cadena, Patricia (14 August 2014). "Luis Gamarra presentará "Murallas", su primer disco". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  11. ^ Cadena, Patricia (6 January 2015). "Luis Gamarra presenta el videoclip de "Murallas"". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  12. ^ Cadena, Patricia (5 August 2015). "Sonidos Bolivianos le canta a la patria el Himno Nacional". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  13. ^ seguir, Redacción Diario Página Siete Autor marcado para. "Músicos del Berklee y Bolivia filman en Uyuni". www.paginasiete.bo (in European Spanish). Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Músicos graban el Himno Nacional de Bolivia en el salar de Uyuni". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 23 June 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Gobierno difunde video por los 191 años de Independencia de Bolivia". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 5 August 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  16. ^ Bolivia, Opinión (16 September 2015). "Éxito del cantante Luis Gamarra en "La Banda"". Opinión Bolivia (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  17. ^ "El boliviano Luis Gamarra recibe elogios de Ricky Martin, Laura Pausini y Alejandro Sanz". Correo del Sur. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  18. ^ elca.E605145d (12 October 2015). "Luis Gamarra envía emotivo mensaje tras su sorpresiva salida de La Banda". Erbol Digital Archivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ a b Cadena, Patricia (11 December 2015). "Anabel Angus y Luis Gamarra emocionaron hasta las lágrimas". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  20. ^ Félix, Mélvin (3 July 2016). "'Yo Soy Inmigrante': una canción de más de 50 estudiantes de música de Boston". Univisión. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  21. ^ Bolivia, Opinión (26 June 2016). "Composición de un boliviano cautiva a 50 músicos de Berklee". Opinión Bolivia (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  22. ^ Aguilera, José (20 July 2019). "Luis Gamarra le pone voz y letra a la canción oficial de 'Tu me manques'". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  23. ^ seguir, Redacción Diario Página Siete Autor marcado para. "No cambio por ti, la canción que lucha contra la homofobia". www.paginasiete.bo (in European Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Luis Gamarra y Edmar Colón, unidos por la humanidad". El Deber (in European Spanish). 16 October 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Pop con saya se fusionan en la nueva canción de Luis Gamarra". El Deber (in European Spanish). 18 December 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Luis Gamarra lanza "Libre", el disco que cuenta su descubrimiento personal". El Deber (in European Spanish). 11 March 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  27. ^ a b ""Bolivia Music Awards 2022" premió a los artistas destacados". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 15 April 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Luis Gamarra lanza el sencillo De Viaje y llama a la juventud a no bajar los brazos ante los problemas de salud mental". www.unicef.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Luis Gamarra inicia una cruzada contra la depresión". El Deber (in European Spanish). 12 July 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Luis Gamarra y Lu de la Tower promocionan su remix "De viaje"". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Luis Gamarra y Lu de la Tower arman viaje juntos". El Deber (in European Spanish). 30 December 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  32. ^ Rivera, Hortencia (13 March 2023). ""Es momento de despedirme": Luis Gamarra anuncia su retiro de la música". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  33. ^ Castro, Nancy (5 June 2023). "El nacimiento de Gamay y el noble propósito de esta nueva etapa". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  34. ^ a b ""Bolivia Music Awards 2023" premia el talento en la industria musical boliviana". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 24 November 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  35. ^ Nuñez, Stefany Beatriz Guzmán. "Artistas nacionales e internacionales ponen ritmo en la Teletón "Tiempo de Actuar 2023"". www.reduno.com.bo (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  36. ^ a b "UNICEF Bolivia presenta la teletón "Tiempo de Actuar 2023" e invita a convertir los obstáculos en oportunidades para la niñez". www.unicef.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Luis Gamarra muestra con "Encontrándome" un renacimiento personal y musical". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 31 July 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  38. ^ Deber, El (20 March 2025). "Luis Gamarra y ALWA lanzan "Hey! (¿Estás ahí?)": un himno de esperanza para Bolivia | El Deber". eldeber.com.bo (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  39. ^ Aguilera, José (21 October 2018). "Luis Gamarra confiesa que es gay". eju.tv (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  40. ^ a b c d "El cantante boliviano Luis Gamarra confiesa que es gay". Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 22 October 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  41. ^ Chavez, Kathryn. "Luis Gamarra agradece el apoyo que recibió al revelar que es gay". El Día Digital (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Luis Gamarra: "Quiero que en Bolivia se respete la decisión del pueblo en las urnas"". El Deber (in European Spanish). 15 December 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  43. ^ ""Almagro, mirá Bolivia": Luis Gamarra protesta en la OEA en Washington". El Deber (in European Spanish). 22 October 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Luis Gamarra on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  45. ^ "Conoce a los ganadores de los "Bolivia Music Awards 2021"". El Deber (in European Spanish). 28 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  46. ^ Aliaga, Rodolfo (31 January 2025). "Luis Vega, Gardenia y la Boy Band Uno se imponen en los Bolivia Music Awards". La Razón (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 June 2025.
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