Wow! I can say that this is what started forming my musical influences without my knowing it. I grew up listening to bachata in a corner, I listened to salsa, merengue, hip-hop in a corner… Things that start to incline people not only to a genre but also to a field. I had different effects when I decided to make bachata, so my colleagues from Aventura and I had just that New York mix.
Was rap never an option?
Yes, as a follower of the genre. But as myself, rapping and making music like this… Yes, I made hip-hop inspired songs, but it’s not as strong as bachata.
How has the fact of being the son of immigrants in New York conditioned you when it came to moving forward in the music industry?
I understand this as a responsibility. Wanting to improve becomes a challenge… And it also represents your parents. Transcend yourself by representing the dreams they failed to fulfill. For example, my mother wanted to be a singer at some point in her life and maybe she didn’t have the resources… So yes, it could have served as motivation.
His success is based on his compositions and unique voice. Do you remember how you hit that record?
All I do is get lots of rest and drink lots of water. I can’t give a full description of how I use my diaphragm… There are obviously talented singers out there. My strength is more composition. The person tries to do things that connect with the audience. But to be completely honest, I was pretty happy singing. That my voice falls into grace and that people like it. It is not a specific technique.
Being an ambassador and the ‘King of bachata’ is the biggest responsibility of your life?
More than a responsibility, my goal is always to reinvent myself, to surprise. Be it in bachata or any kind. I try to create these kinds of feelings, even though it’s not very pleasant criticism. I think it is very important that you can surprise with some themes while making music. I have a song on this album called ‘Suegra’, which in one way or another was offensive because some realized that I was ‘fucking’ my mother-in-law and inciting violence. And not at all, like a ‘joke’. For example, how many people have said ‘my mother-in-law, it really bothers you going to hell’, you say it because you are bored, not just by word of mouth. I have more songs like this. Sometimes there are people who are a little offended by the content.
He writes about love, heartbreak, women… How has your perception of all this changed over time?
It is something lived, witnessed, matured, seen life… Life is an evolution that changes the way you think. And I think, one way or another, sometimes that may sound contradictory, but you can change your philosophy from one year to the next. And it has to do with living, meeting people who change the way you think. Also, in the music business, where everything is flourishing, and I can say much better than worse.
Many non-Dominican artists have recently turned to bachata. What about this?
I think that’s great, it’s a good sign that our species and culture are creating a nice feeling in singers of other nationalities. More of a compliment than anything. Maybe when me and my friends at Aventura say we’re an inspiration, it’s something that fills me with great morale.
Why do you think the Dominican Republic is so present in today’s music?
I think it always has been. Because we are in this digital age, networks make you notice things. You can see that something is trending because a lot of people are consuming it. For example, I remember doing tours in Europe and 80% of the participants were not Hispanic. This is a sign that our Dominican culture has always somehow influenced many other singers.
One of Dominik’s new big stars is Tokischa, which has sometimes been criticized for its obscene content. You defend it in ‘Nirvana’.
More than just a defence, it is to make it clear that we singers should not be chosen or crucified for obscene content. I may not be as outspoken as he is, but I would be a double moralist if I agreed with those who attacked him. Because as a father it is your responsibility to raise your children in a disciplined, decent manner, that neither music, nor violent movies, nor anything powerful, change what you as a father instill in your children. In most cases we are actors. I used this song as a starting point. There are much more worrying things. I worry more about what’s going on in the world, where there are people who are too mentally unfit to have access to weapons, where our children are protected in schools… These kinds of things seem much more dangerous to me. more than a singer sings.
what does he think artist with its orbit boom modern latin?
It was always clear to me that being Latino was something that one carried in one’s blood and always had to represent. I’ve always had the opportunity to collaborate with artists from the Anglo-Saxon market and I’ve always done Latin music. So, normally such is the case, to capitalize and a cross over, I was always clear that what I wanted was to get them to sing bachata, sing in Spanish, and dance bachata. And seeing the songs and the success they’ve had, such as ‘Despacito’ and the Bad Bunny phenomenon, like god for sure! I was not wrong.
In her album with Rosalia ‘Hand Handkerchief’. How would you describe it from the outside and with the infrastructure you have?
It was amazing. I think I describe Rosalia literally as a unicorn. He is an artist who has defined very well what he wants to do and what he should not do. An artist has value when she has something authentic, when she knows what she wants to do, when she understands what she shouldn’t do. And she is very meticulous in her art. And that’s something I respect a lot because I identify with it. Working with her was very important to me as I am a follower of flamenco music, I am a follower of her short but impressive career because I think for this young woman it is just the beginning. And it was truly a privilege to work with him.
You have already sang with a Spaniard Julio Iglesias. Do you think there is something that unites them?
Wow! What an interesting question… Starting with nationality… Results that I think should never be questioned. We’re talking about two artists from two different eras, and they’re both champions, winners… The thing in common is a very defined musical offering and what they represent. It was an honor to work with both.
How does the ‘King of Bachata’ describe Juan Luis Guerra?
King of Latin music. I don’t see Juan Luis as a bachatero. I respectfully give you a chair. Bachatero usually only makes bachata. When you call someone bachatera, 80-90% of its content is bachatera extract, which is what Antony Santos, Luis Vargas, Raulín do. [Rodríguez]… Juan Luis is a genius with the ability to do everything with the highest quality. He has hits in merengue and even salsa as well as in bachata, these are… As I understand it, the way to define the master is to be a teacher, genius and king of Latin music in general.