Eclectics and Daddy Yankee’s New Album ‘Mundial’

The Salsa Dance and Music world is currently shaking at its foundations because of the new ducu-film ‘Epoca – The Palladium Era’. On april 26, 2010, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Reggaeton’ Daddy Yankee released his new album ‘Mundial’ filled with eclectic sounds.

Eclectics select or employ individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles. They dominate the world of music and dance by being innovative, and by letting their creativity soar free without (self) imposed restrictions or boundaries. Dance Instructors such as Eddie Torres (Mambo On2), Super Mario (London Style Salsa), and Jorge Elisando (Bachata Fusion) are some examples of Eclectic Dance Instructors. Musicians have always been a step ahead of the dancers. Ruben Blades went eclectic with the Latin Grammy-winning “Mundo”, Calle 13 with “Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo” just 2 years ago, and many Salsa Artists are now mixing Salsa with Reggaeton Music. From Salsa Romantica to the Cuban Son: eclectics have created and exploited them through all times. This is something traditionalists should very well consider. 

The artists go eclectic for different reasons. What all of them have in common is the fervent urge to explore other sound or dance scapes outside of their comfort zones and/or to keep on reinventing themselves. Their goal is to transcend cultural generational barriers, and to survive in the world of ever-changing music & dance productions and Online Marketing. The dancers need to continue selling their craft, and musicians need to continue selling albums. And Daddy Yankee is all about selling albums, which, according to Nielsen Soundscan, are more than eight million to date.

Daddy Yankee’s “Mundial” 

Raymond Ayala, aka Daddy Yankee, “El Cangri” or “The Big Boss” joins a string of Latin Artists who in the past have created eclectic sounds hoping to have a popular one, or for it to turn out being the Best Selling Music Album of their time. The Reggaeton superstar from Puerto Rico says that what makes his album “Mundial” unique is the album’s catchy European-styled danceable World Rhythms fused with Reggaeton/Hip Hop, and its Urban spin. “Through my world travels over the years, I've had the chance to learn about the lives and traditions of many cultures around the globe so the idea to make this concept album was born out of those experiences,” said “The Big Boss” during a press conference held at a hotel in the Condado county to announce Mundial's release. He started using his recording studio after two years of absence. Yankee added, “But the challenge was how to make a 'global' album with an urban flavor? So I decided to begin with the basics — my musical roots, and then I kept on throwing in other world genres that have inspired me into the mix. And I think it all turned out just fine.”

Daddy Yankee did not leave Reggaeton, which is the music genre making him the international commercial success story he is today, out of his 14-track “Mundial” album. Instead, he mixed it with uncharted ‘booty shaking’ music, making it one of his most ambitious musical works to date. His loyal fans will hear a mix of Bachata, Soca, Vallenato, Cumbia, Dancehall, Merengue, and Batucada (loaded with counless whistles) all blended together with Reggaeton, Electronic Music, and Hip Hop U.S. Style. “Mundial” features “La Despedida,” “Vida en La Noche,” “El más duro,” “Que Es La Que Hay,” “La Señal,” and “Me Enteré,” featuring Tito “El Bambino,” among others. The 33-yaer-old Reggaeton Icon explains, “The musical vibe in Latin America and Mexico is amazing, and all their rhythms inspired me to go on with this project,” He added, “And from Europe, I've learned what electronica really is, with all the energy that flows in packed nightclubs and huge outdoor concert venues.”

The album’s first single, “Descontrol,” has been on the top of Billboard Latin Rhythm Charts, and ESPN Latino and Telefutura chose the song “Grito Mundial” as the promotional track of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Daddy Yankee starred in “Talento de Barrio,” a 2008 film made by Maya Entertainment. “Mudial” is the follow-up to the soundtrach of this movie. Daddy Yankee’s latest work as an actor was in early April of 2010 in the Emmy Award-winning TV series “The Bold & the Beautiful,” aired in over 100 countries. CNN and Time Magazine named Daddy Yankee as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world in 2005. Five years ago Daddy Yankee’s Reggaeton-hit “Gasolina” topped the charts for a very long time making it the anthem for millions of Reggaeton fans. Yankee comments,“We created a Latin urban album with European and US musical influences. It's varied and it has a lot of

color,” He continues, “The essence of reggaetón is never lost throughout the album. There's plenty of it everywhere.”

The Past and The Future of Eclectics

Reggaeton Music is a mix of Jamaican Bubbling with Spanish sung Hip Hop, R&B, and Merengue. Bubbling, Dancehall, and Ragga Muffin are evolutionary and eclectic forms of Jamaica’s Reggae Music, which in turn is a revised form of Ska Music. In 2020, traditionalists Reggaeton Musicians and Dancers may very well be discussing with the ‘2020 Modernists’ about their ‘Lack in preserving Cultural Reggaeton Heritage’.