Santos Bravos: A New Era for Latin Pop Begins at HYBE
Santos Bravos are not just HYBE Latin America’s first boy group—they’re the promise of a new chapter for Latin pop. Born from an intense reality show process that tested their discipline, vulnerability and teamwork, Alejandro, Gabi, Kenneth, Drew and Kauê have already learned what it means to trust each other like brothers before even releasing their debut single “0%”.
In this interview, Santos Bravos open up about when the dream first felt real, how HYBE-style training reshaped them as artists and as people, their vision for the future of Latin pop—and the message they’d leave for themselves the night of their first sold-out stadium show.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
For those who still don’t know you, how would you introduce Santos Bravos in one word each?
Alejandro: Love.
Gabi: Family.
Kenneth: Unity.
Drew: Trust.
Kauê: Brotherhood.
At what moment during the Santos Bravos reality show did you first think, “Okay, this is real, I actually might debut”?
Gabi: I don’t think there was one specific moment for me. But every time I went on stage with my teammates, I felt I connected with them somehow, and I thought, “Why not have this in a group?” To be with people I really connect with and get along with so well.
Drew: I feel like there wasn’t a specific moment. During the last couple of weeks I was more like, “Let’s give it our all, let’s have some fun,” for all ten of us.
Kauê: Something that comes to mind is the “Suave” challenge. I was looking at the guys and I saw everyone giving 100%, at their maximum in effort, talent, experience, training… and in that challenge I thought, “Wow, this is real, these are people who are ready for this.”
What was the hardest part of the HYBE-style training process, and what was the most healing part for you as individuals?
Gabi: I think everything was hard, haha. We had to wake up at 7 a.m. every day, and in a way each of us had to step out of our comfort zone. That was the most complicated part. And the most healing thing was probably us, supporting each other all the time.
Alejandro: I think one of the hardest things, at least for me, was that despite the exhaustion, the real challenge was keeping the mindset of moving forward and wanting more. I feel the hunger we all had to achieve this dream pushed us through. And the most healing part, 100%, was talking with the guys at night, asking each other how we felt. That was a very important part of putting ourselves back together so we could keep going, all together.
HYBE is well known for creating global phenomena like BTS and SEVENTEEN. Now you are the first Latin boy group of the label. Does that feel more like pressure or more like fuel?
Kenneth: No, it’s more like fuel for us. We see them as role models, and the discipline they have—they’re great artists. They’re an inspiration and we’d love to reach their level one day. Being part of the first boy group of HYBE Latin America is something we’re very proud of, and it makes us very happy.
In the studio, who is the biggest perfectionist, who is the most experimental and who is the one who says “Let’s do it, this is amazing”?
Kenneth: All of us, haha.
Alejandro: Many times, for example, Kauê and Kenneth play with the vocals and change the melody, and I think that’s really cool because it’s very creative and gives everything a special flavor.
Kauê: We’ve been training a lot these last months—from how to listen to music to singing songs and lots of technique. I think we all have the ability to say if something is good or to give a different opinion, so in that way we think similarly.
When you picture the future of Latin pop, where do you see Santos Bravos? Filling stadiums, headlining festivals, collaborating with international artists—or all of the above?
Drew: All of the above. I think there are so many things on our bucket list that we want to achieve—award shows, festivals, collaborations, different things we can do on different platforms… so many things. Muchas cosas. We want to do everything and it will be very unique.
Kenneth: Exactly. And I think it’s something that will come with time. We’re just getting started and we’re focused on our debut single “0%,” and everything else will come with a lot of hard work and effort.
Who is the fashion victim of the group and who is the one who repeats looks? Be honest.
Kenneth & Alejandro: We actually have both.
Alejandro: We have Drew, who is the big fashion victim. And I have to look to my left, at my Brazilian friend, because sometimes he wears the same belt.
Kauê: Haha, I have to say when something works… why not repeat it? Waking up and saying, “Yes, that’s a great outfit!”
Is there any garment, accessory or beauty look people wouldn’t expect to see on you, but you’d love to pull off?
Alejandro: I bought this fur coat. People wouldn’t expect me to wear it—it’s unexpected, but it’s very warm.
Kauê: We’re a group that loves to try a lot of looks. We’re very open to trying and doing many different things.
Leave a message for yourselves right before your first sold-out stadium show. What would you say?
Gabi: Stay motivated and never lose focus, no matter how hard it gets.
Alejandro: You deserve this. You’re here for a reason—enjoy every second, you don’t know how many times you’ll live a night like this.
Kenneth: You did it. Every step, even the tough ones, was worth it, and it all led to this moment.
Drew: Trust yourself. Breathe, be present, have fun and use the crowd’s energy as fuel to give them—and yourself—the best show.
Kauê: Never lose the hunger to grow as a person and as an artist. This is just the beginning. Trust the process. The world is yours.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Writer & Art Direction: Nicolas M. Garcia (@garcias_official)
Photographer: Erika Zambrano (@erika_zambrano)
Wardrobe Stylist: Juan Castillo (@juancas_theroom)
