Latin Grammy nominee Milo J charts a new course for Argentine music

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Set us as preferred Argentine MC Milo J may be on the precipice of 20 when we meet, but on a cool October morning in L.A.as he approaches me inside a hotel lobby on the famous Sunset Strip, he carries the calm demeanor of a seasoned superstar.The wordsmith, born Camilo Joaquín Villarruel in Buenos Aires, is not alone, of course.

A small posse of lifelong friends keeps the conversation lively while shooting a documentary about his current tour and promo trip.Milo’s mother, Aldana, who is also his manager, smiles warmly when I tell her how proud I am that a fellow Argentine has released such a transcendent album: last year’s “La Vida Era Más Corta.” We’re also joined by the managing director of Sony Music Argentina, as well as Milo’s full PR team.“Experiencing all this by myself wouldn’t be easy,” says Milo.Needless to say, expectations are high.

He’s nominated for six Latin Grammys this year — among them five artist awards, including for record, album and song of the year, as well as an industry award for recording package.Edgar Barrera leads the nominations with a total of 10 nods, followed by Karol G, Rosalía, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso and Jorge Drexler, who each received seven nominations.The album, of which the title translates to “Life Was Shorter,” is the kind of layered, virtuoso manifesto that has the power to redefine a genre.

Produced by tastemakers Tatool and Santi Alvarado, it resettles Milo’s gravelly voice away from the trap context that made him famous as a teenager and into the smoldering soul of South American neo-folk; the crackle of acoustic guitars framing narratives of broken childhoods and making peace with life.Nominated for record of the year, the track “Niño” is a devastating lullaby.A duet with rapper Trueno, “Gil” — also nominated for urban performance �...