When today’s reggaetón stars refer to the genre’s OGs, names like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin and Yandel always come up. During Latin Music Week, Yandel will star on his own panel, which, like his upcoming album (out Oct. 10 on Warner Music Latin), is titled Elyte and will feature new and legendary reggaetón names across 19 tracks.
At 47 years old — and now on his 11th solo set — Yandel is not only comfortable in his role as a solo act, but also as a leader and mentor to a new generation and a bridge between reggaetón’s past and future.
What does being a reggaetón OG mean to you?
I feel blessed to be here and still be relevant. It’s any artist’s dream. I’m a real OG, a real musical gangster. I know how to traffic my music and lead my business. It’s been 25 years of killing it. I’m someone who respects new generations and collaborates with new artists. I think that’s what keeps me relevant.
How do you see reggaetón today versus 20 years ago?
The evolution of reggaetón has been a complex process, both musically and culturally. Reggaetón came up in the ’90s as a mix of reggae in Spanish, dancehall and hip-hop. In its beginnings, it was cruder, born from the parties and experiences in the streets of Puerto Rico. It has adapted, and in recent years it has integrated other genres like pop, trap, electronica and smoother rhythms like pop and ballads, which have allowed it to be more versatile and accessible to a global audience. It’s gone from being a marginalized genre to dominating global charts.
What’s your role in the genre today?
I’ll continue to explore different sounds, but keep faithful to reggaetón while incorporating trap, pop and dembow. On Elyte, I’ll display a versatility that maybe wasn’t there last year. And I’ll continue to grow on the business side, continue to be relevant and a bridge between classic and modern reggaetón. You know, keep being a legend. Captain Yandel.
This story appears in the Sept. 28, 2024, issue of Billboard.
