It all started as a little science project during the pandemic. But somehow, that home experiment turned into a massive buzz, grabbing the attention of big players like Spotify, TikTok, and even the music superstar Bad Bunny himself. We’re talking about ZTVZ, a unique musical and visual group led by Puerto Rican brothers Carlos and Diego Estévez. Their journey began with a simple need to heal, and quickly grew into something truly special.
“This wasn’t music made to be a hit; it was music to survive,” they shared in an exclusive chat with a prominent news channel, Us Weekly en Español. They explained how everything began after a previous music project fell apart. Then, their father suddenly got sick, and the world locked down with the pandemic. The brothers decided to shut themselves in and pour their feelings into songs. They had no real technical experience, just basic tools like GarageBand and iMovie. Their one rule? Only make something that excited them first.
What came out was a vibrant artistic world. It mixes science, fashion, movies, data, emotions, and pop music. “We used to just play gigs, set up drums, and connect cables,” Carlos Estévez explained. “When the pandemic hit, we thought: either we try this now, or we never will again.”
The Brains Behind the Beats
Interestingly, both brothers have academic backgrounds in theoretical physics. Diego is an expert in acoustics, and Carlos studied astrophysics. This might sound like it has nothing to do with music, but it was actually key. It helped them figure out how to navigate the tricky music industry. They used data analysis, digital growth strategies, and even machine learning to discover how, when, and why to connect with an audience. Diego, the younger brother, put it perfectly: “Physics didn’t just teach us formulas; it trained us to solve problems creatively. And the music industry is a problem no one teaches you how to solve.”
“Everything we went through—the frustration, being stuck inside, the uncertainty—it all made us ask: what do I need to do to make this happen?” they recalled. That question led to their first single. This song, along with two other tracks, is set to drop on August 29.
Los Estévez ZTVZ. Photo: Lisa Rivera / Courtesy ZTVZ.
From Video Games to Fashion Week
Beyond their catchy sound, their visual style is captivating. ZTVZ isn’t just music; it’s a visual experience that brings to mind video games, science fiction, and bold fashion. This unique look even earned them an invitation to create music for The Blonds runway show during New York Fashion Week. They ended up getting custom pieces from the designers’ archives. The Blonds are famous for dressing stars like Madonna, Chappell Roan, and Beyoncé, so this was a huge deal.
Their distinct visual identity started way back when they were kids. They would design characters in video games and act out wrestling entrances in their parents’ living room. “We are trying to bring out that inner child,” they said. “We look for what we love and take it to a new level, mixing retro elements with fresh ideas.”
Bad Bunny’s Big Discovery
This one-of-a-kind style, so original and unexpected, caught the eye of Bad Bunny. “A fan messaged us to say: ‘Did you see you’re on Bad Bunny’s personal playlist?’” they revealed. At first, they thought it had to be a mistake. But then, the Apple Music team confirmed it: Benito himself had chosen them. “We don’t know how it happened. But he did it. And that changed a lot of things.”
Now, the duo is getting ready for what they call a new phase of growth. The project they are about to release shows how much their sound and look have evolved. “This EP brings our vision together,” they shared. “Now, what you hear, you can also see. Everything just clicks.”
Their goal is clear: to push their music even further. They dream of a tour across the United States, working with international artists, and building a team that understands their unique vision. “We want to create these immersive concerts, with astronomy, and mirror physics setups,” they explained.
Even though their journey is still unfolding, the brothers feel they are living out their purpose. “We are already doing what we came here to do,” they said with strong belief. They wrapped up with a fun comparison: “It’s an evolution. If we were Pokemons, we would be evolving into Charizard.”