In our Latin Remix of the Week collection, we highlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem to be distinctive and distinct from the remaining. We’d not publish a assessment each week. That is our choice at this time.
Christian Alicea shouldn’t be merely reviving the artwork of salsa; he’s rebooting it for a brand new technology, infusing the basic style with a 2.0 replace that’s as vibrant as it’s revolutionary.
Final fall, Alicea created the invigorating tropical hit “El Swing,” replete with wealthy percussion, energetic trumpets, and larger-than-life choruses that soared to No. 18 on the Tropical Airplay chart by November.
With “El Swing 2.0,” the remix, the Puerto Rican singer escalates his mission, bringing on board the skills of Luis Figueroa, Moa Rivera (self-proclaimed as La Voz Sensual de la Salsa), and Luis Vázquez, marking a groundbreaking collaboration to additional increase salsa’s resurgence. Every artist injects their distinctive essence into the combo, introducing contemporary verses that each honor and refresh the style’s storied footprint.
The importance of this ensemble is underscored as all members have been spotlighted on Billboard’s listing of 15 Artists Retaining the Tropical Style Alive, heralding them as custodians of salsa’s vibrant future.
The music video for “El Swing 2.0” extends this playful homage its longevity, casting the singers as baseball gamers — a nod to the multifaceted that means of “swing” in each music and life. The music is produced by Eliot El Mago D Oz and DJ Buddha.
“Working with Luis Figueroa, Moa Rivera, and Luis Vazquez has been an unimaginable expertise,” mentioned Alicea in a press release. “Their ardour for music and dedication to pushing boundaries aligns completely with my very own creative imaginative and prescient. Collectively, we’ve reimagined ‘El Swing’ in a approach that pays homage to its roots whereas paving the best way for its future.”
This undertaking is a continuation of Alicea’s homage to the fashion’s wealthy heritage, as seen in his 2023 debut album Yo, the place he boldly reimagined Marc Anthony’s iconic 2004 album cowl for Valió La Pena. His debut album additionally positioned three songs on the Tropical Airplay chart.
Final yr, the artist signed an unique reserving settlement with Loud and Reside.
Furthermore, his recognition as the one salsa artist on Billboard‘s Latin Artists to Watch in 2024 testifies his position as a pivotal determine within the style’s evolution. Alicea’s upcoming album arrives March 15.
Watch the video for “El Swing 2.0” under:
