Rising Stars: Meet Pedro De La Cuadra of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pedro De La Cuadra.

Hi Pedro, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Pedro De La Cuadra, but in the music world, I go by “El Mata.” My love for music started early—really early. At just five years old, you could already find me glued to the TV watching music videos or sitting by the radio, waiting for my favorite songs to come on. I wasn’t just listening—I was performing. In my head, I was already on stage, singing in front of thousands.

I was born in Ecuador, where I grew up surrounded by a rich mix of sounds—Latin Pop, Rock, Vallenato, Baladas, Romantic music, Reggaeton, Rap, Hip Hop—you name it. That variety became the foundation of my style. When I moved to the U.S. at 11, that passion didn’t fade—it got louder. I was constantly writing lyrics, singing on the way to school, turning everyday moments into inspiration.

In 2008, I recorded my first song with friends just for fun—but that experience flipped a switch in me. It made me realize this wasn’t just a dream; it was something I could actually pursue. Back in high school, everyone knew me as the guy who loved to sing and rap. That’s when I picked up my first artist name, “Peter Money,” inspired by my admiration for Daddy Yankee.

Around 2009–2010, I stepped into a real recording studio for the first time and recorded my first professional track. That moment changed everything. From then on, I was all in.

In 2013, I rebranded to “Peter El Matador,” continuing to shape my identity as an artist. Then in 2015, I hit a major milestone—walking my first red carpet at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas. That experience opened doors and connected me with incredible people in the industry. Around that same time, I also had the chance to perform live at the Latin Grammy Street Party in Los Angeles, which was unforgettable.

By 2016, I made one final evolution: “EL MATA.” This name represents who I truly am—an artist shaped by my roots, my family, and the music I grew up with in Ecuador. My sound is a fusion of everything I’ve lived and listened to, from Pop to Reggaeton and beyond.

Since 2017, I’ve released three albums and numerous singles: Realidad & Fantasías (2017), TIPO NORMAL (2021), and TRIP (2023). My last two albums were especially personal because I produced and mixed them myself, alongside producer Joed Gordon. Together, we’re part of the same label, CHAMO MUSIC, pushing the vision forward.

And this is just the beginning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d be lying if I said it’s been easy—nothing worth chasing ever is, especially when it comes to your dreams. One of the biggest challenges has been simply finding the right spaces to share my music and be heard. Early on, I also ran into the reality of costs—paying for production, mixing, and mastering isn’t cheap, and that can slow things down fast.

But instead of letting that stop me, I took it as a challenge. I started learning how to create my own instrumentals, and eventually taught myself how to mix and engineer my tracks too. It wasn’t just about saving money—it became part of my identity as an artist. Now, every song I make carries not just my voice, but my full creative fingerprint.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an artist creating Latin Urban and Reggaeton music, and every track I make carries a piece of my story. I’m proud of what I’ve built so far because no two songs sound the same—each one has its own flavor, its own energy, shaped by moments from my life and the way I grew up.

That’s where the name “El Mata” comes from. It represents la mata—my roots, my foundation, where everything began. It’s a reminder that no matter how far I go, my sound is always connected to where I come from.

What really sets me apart is that I’m hands-on with my craft. I produce, record, and mix my own music, so every detail is exactly how I envision it. On top of that, I collaborate with other artists and help bring their ideas to life too. For me, it’s not just about making songs—it’s about building a sound and a community.

What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, isn’t just a destination—it’s a vibe. It’s waking up excited to do what you love, surrounded by people who fuel your energy, not drain it. It’s laughter in the studio, late nights that don’t feel like work, and creating something that actually means something to you.

At the end of the day, success is peace. It’s knowing you’re aligned with who you are, doing what you’re meant to do, and feeling good about it—no filters, no pretending, just real.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmatagram
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElMataOfficial?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCVVnWGjlG0MtEOqBSsmC4nw

Image Credits
Jeremy David Creative