As reggaeton continues to attain new heights, Don Omar is reminding the world of his rightful place within the style he helped to form. The Puerto Rican artist, whose debut report, The Final Don, celebrates its twentieth anniversary this yr, has been busy selling a string of singles since late 2021, all main as much as a extremely anticipated new album. Titled Perpetually King, the LP is out later this yr and options company equivalent to Maluma and Gente de Zona, plus fellow stars who emerged within the early 2000s like Calle 13 rapper Residente and reggaeton mainstay Wisin.
The report blends Don Omar’s signature old-school perreo with the Caribbean kinds dominating música urbana right now. The anticipated mission, his first in three years, comes after Don retired (and unretired) from music and ended his earlier label contract. Now, he’s again with the breezy vitality of somebody completed with drama. “I really feel fulfilled. I really feel modified. I’m a brand new man,” he says. “I’m not making an attempt to push something. I’m simply right here, residing the second.”
After saying your retirement in 2017, you returned two years later however saved a low profile. The place has Don been all this time?
Don Omar in 2017 was exhausted. We had been on tour for 5 years in a row, taking part in each single weekend. Sadly, I wasn’t there for many of the lovely moments with my youngsters and my household. I wanted to return. My household wanted me, all of them — my brothers, my sisters, my mother, my youngsters— everyone wanted William to be part of the household.
I heard you bought a plot of land and began farming. What was that have like for you?
Grounding. It was essentially the most lovely expertise. I acquired this land in Puerto Rico, within the mountains. The peace was magic. I introduced college students from the College of Puerto Rico and discovered from them, from seeding to rising crops. I spent two years doing that, and I ended up opening an organic-produce firm.
I discovered from the enterprise and the non-public facet. Every thing on this world has an ideal plan created earlier than any of us. You aren’t going to alter what number of hours a seed must develop. People are operating [around] and residing life so quick, ignoring that even that, a easy seed, is already beneath management. There’s a excellent time for every part.
I can hear this attitude at instances in your new album. It’s your first in over three years. Inform me in regards to the course of behind it.
I’ve been recruiting pals from the previous and making an attempt to carry again that old-school sound with a brand new vibe. I began with Residente, which was an excellent second for me. I met a man who I used to be dying to know personally, and now I can say that I acknowledge him as an excellent rapper, an excellent composer, and as an excellent human being.
It’s been an excellent trip from there, to working with Maluma, Nio Garcia, Wisin, and Gente de Zona. I do have a few surprises on the album. It’s tremendous versatile, stuffed with influences, and wealthy collaborations.
Your new album has slightly style of every part: salsa, cumbia, mambo, reggaeton. Why was it vital to experiment with genres on this report?
I wish to develop as an artist. However I do acknowledge that folks know me due to a sure type of music. I don’t wish to jeopardize that place. I’m making an attempt to carry what my followers wish to the desk, however I additionally wish to be at liberty to carry the spice. That’s why I labored in some salsa, or cumbia, on “Cuestión de Tiempo,” or did what I did with Lil Jon on “Let’s Get Loopy.”
It’s thrilling to listen to you sing a danzón on “Carcelero.”
Pay attention, the story behind that music is loopy. I grew up with my grandmother. She was a music junkie and a client of Cuban music: danzónes, música de tríos, numerous boleros. [Dog barks.] Excuse me, I’ve a Yorkie who thinks she’s a pit bull.
All of them do!
I’m making an attempt to work right here! [Laughs.] Anyway, I grew up listening to that music each single weekend. Sadly, my grandma acquired very sick and handed away. I promised her that earlier than she died I used to be going to put in writing a danzón. She laughed and advised me, “Oh, you’re loopy, you’re by no means going to try this.” However someday, I simply began writing the lyrics from high to backside.
I respect musicians a lot as a result of I’m not a musician. In Spanish, soy músico de tun-tun, tan-tan, tin-tin [Laughs]. So think about going from that to a studio crammed with among the finest musicians in New York, and making an attempt to elucidate how this music sounded in my head. It was an expertise. On the finish of the day, all of them understood the place I used to be coming from and we did it.
It sounds prefer it was an actual labor of affection in your grandma. That’s lovely.
Yeah. I owe her. Sadly, she by no means acquired to listen to this music. I’d have beloved to have completed it earlier than she handed away. However I do know this music is particular as a result of it was created with a particular intention.
There are moments on this album the place it appears like we’re assembly a brand new Don Omar. He’s extra mature. He’s sentimental, even.
It’s a option to present that I see the world in a different way, that I’m a grown man, that I’ve a daughter, and that I’m making an attempt to guard her. It reveals respect to the individuals who hearken to my music. Exhibiting respect may not be what’s “in” today, however for me, it’s an enormous factor. We will make music with out disrespecting anyone or any perspective.
You’ve had over twenty years of expertise on this trade. Should you might return in time and provides your self a chunk of recommendation, what would it not be?
“Don’t promote your values.” If I might inform 20-year-old Don Omar something, I’d inform him that. And “please don’t hurt your self, you’re such an excellent man. Don’t let this trade injury you. Don’t let the evilness in individuals have an effect on you.” This trade shouldn’t be value it.
Lots of people put themselves in dangerous conditions after they know they’re good individuals. They’ve good intentions. However the plenty are demanding a tough, robust man. In harming your self, you’re going to hurt lots of people. If you begin caring, actually caring in your individuals, you don’t hurt them. You don’t put out the flawed message. Figuring out one thing is flawed nevertheless it sounds cool? That’s irresponsible.
There’s a music the place you describe studying to be truthful even along with your enemies.
One of many issues I’m most grateful for is figuring out who my pals are and should not. I’m focusing my vitality on my pals, not my enemies. If my enemies need issues? OK, let’s have issues. [But] I’m not searching for issues. I’m searching for the individuals who love me.
I can’t assist however consider your feud with Daddy Yankee. In a latest interview, you mentioned that it largely needed to do with disagreements over your joint tour in 2016 — you’ve recommended that his crew messed with the sound in your units and extra. What made you communicate up?
I grew up. I can discuss that now. Within the second, I used to be offended. If you’re offended, you don’t speak.
Some individuals do.
Yeah, some individuals do. That’s not sensible for me. I used to be offended. Everyone is aware of it. I believe time is a superb healer, and now, I can discuss it freely with info. I took the time to study from my errors, not decide myself, and see the entire state of affairs from an grownup perspective. However, yeah. It does apply. It completely applies.
The place do you stand now?
I do have respect for him. He’s not my good friend. I’m not going to be his good friend, ever. But when it’s based mostly on displaying respect, we’re squared.
You’ve made a couple of cameos as Rico within the Quick & Livid franchise. Will you be within the subsequent movies?
I’d love to return. Sadly, more often than not they’re filming, we’re touring. However I’m dying to return. These guys are my household.
Have you ever ever thought-about doing different appearing roles?
Sure! I’d like to do a comedy.
What would it not be about?
Oh, my God. You realize that state of affairs when guys and women change locations? Like, their our bodies, minds?
Who would you wish to play the feminine model of you?
Cardi B [laughs]. That may be so enjoyable.