Imperio is a powerful cognate that translates directly to "empire". It's a word that evokes images of power, wealth, and grand success.
In "Poco a Poco", Xavi tells a story of rising from humble beginnings. He sings, "empezamos desde cero / Y lentamente formé un imperio" (we started from zero / and slowly I formed an empire), using this word to describe the culmination of his hard work and struggle. It perfectly captures the song's triumphant rags-to-riches theme.
Poco A Poco unfolds like a modern corrido of grit and glory. Xavi and Los Dareyes De La Sierra recount a rise from muddy street corners to a cross-border “imperio,” painting vivid scenes of hustling for money, catching side-eyes from doubters, and daring to dream bigger than anyone around them. The refrain “poco a poco” (little by little) reminds us that every small grind—selling twenties, then kilos—adds up to something monumental. Yet even amid success, the narrator keeps his mother’s blessing close and preaches respect for those who once looked down on him, turning former humiliation into fuel for triumph.
At its heart, the song is an anthem of perseverance and transformation. Listeners ride along on a boots-on-the-ground journey that celebrates: