MEMORIA
Every Song Has a Story
A documentary and article series about the story behind “Memoria,” artist rights, and protecting a song created in Medellín.
THE STORY BEHIND MEMORIA
“Memoria” began as a personal reggaeton song about love, memory, and the years I spent traveling between Texas and Medellín.
The song came from real memories, real places, and real emotion. But after it was created, the story took a turn I never expected.
What started as music became a test of trust, authorship, documentation, and ownership. This documentary and article series follows the full timeline: the creation of the song, the pressure that followed, the decision to protect my work, the copyright registration, the takedowns, and the lessons independent artists can take from it.
MEMORIA: Cada Canción Tiene Una Historia
MEMORIA: Cada Canción Tiene Una Historia es un documental y serie de artículos de Gringo Loko sobre la historia detrás de su canción “Memoria,” creada en Medellín, Colombia.
Lo que empezó como una canción personal sobre recuerdos, amor y una etapa de mi vida en Colombia se convirtió en una historia documentada sobre autoría, presión, derechos de autor, takedowns por copyright y los derechos de los artistas independientes.
El proyecto reúne artículos, evidencia, mensajes, entrevistas, música y una línea de tiempo completa para mostrar lo que pasó detrás de la canción y por qué los artistas deben proteger su trabajo.
Disponible para entrevistas en inglés o español.
Ver el Teaser
Español Teaser Trailer 2
READ THE FULL ARTICLE SERIES
The written series documents the story in eight parts, available in both English and Spanish.
English Series
Serie en Español
What the Documentary Covers
The documentary follows the story from the origin of “Memoria” in Medellín to the moment the song became part of a larger conversation about authorship, copyright, and artist rights.
Every song has a story
Who I am, Medellín, and the origin of “Memoria”
Creation and paid-work context
The Club Magika misunderstanding
April pressure messages
The April 19 warning and decision to release
The 5 a.m. video and April 20 threats
Silence, promotion, and the illusion of peace
Premios Ícono and the handshake
Discovery of “Náufrago”
Watching in silence while it was publicly promoted
Copyright approval and DMCA takedowns
Aftermath, final message, and no counterclaim
Final reflection about artist rights
Key Timeline
A simplified timeline of the key moments behind the song, the dispute, and the documentary rollout.
February 2025
“Memoria” written and recorded in Medellín.
February 14, 2025
Files sent to Fize Music for mixing and mastering.
March 22, 2025
Club Magika misunderstanding.
April 8, 2025
Voice messages and pressure over the song.
April 10, 2025
U.S. copyright application and payment received.
April 19, 2025
“Memoria” released.
April 20, 2025
Threat messages received in Medellín.
June 12, 2025
“Náufrago” released.
June 20, 2025
Premios Íconos and handshake.
June 21, 2025
Discovery of “Náufrago.”
June 30, 2025
Copyright approved.
July 11, 2025
DMCA takedowns submitted.
May 2026
Article series and documentary rollout.
Watch and listen to “Memoria”
Official music video for “Memoria” by Gringo Loko.
About Gringo Loko
Trey Thomason, known professionally as Gringo Loko, is a Texas-based bilingual recording artist whose music blends Southern hip-hop, reggaeton, and global influences shaped by years of travel and time spent in Medellín, Colombia. His work bridges cultures, languages, and real-life experiences through music and storytelling.
His song “Memoria” reflects the emotional connection between memory, place, and identity, while the upcoming documentary expands that story into a larger conversation about artist rights, authorship, and protecting creative work.
Press & interview Contact
For interviews, media inquiries, or documentary-related requests:
Trey Thomason / Gringo Loko
Email: trey@treythomason.com
Available for interviews in English or Spanish about the documentary, the story behind “Memoria,” independent artist rights, and creating music between Texas and Medellín, Colombia.