My dad is Dominican, my mother's Puerto Rican, and I got into bachata at the age of 10 or 11. When I started listening, it had a reputation for being music for hick people. I thought that had to be changed. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and I knew you make something cool if you're cool.
Romeo Santos
'Despacito' is phenomenal; you can't really chase that type of success. I'm a huge fan of the record, the original, and then when the remix came out, I said, 'Oh my God, it just got greater!'
I will drink alcohol socially. That's really on the weekends.
My first meal when I wake up is five boiled eggs, egg whites, and a slice of whole wheat bread.
If you put out quality music, you're always going to be in a good place.
I feel the first award any artist can have is his audience.
One day, my father brings a cassette. He's showing me this, and he's like, 'Look at this guy, his name is Anthony Santos, like you.' I popped it on and started hearing the songs, the music, and I was like, 'Wow, this sounds great.'
We have a really cool relationship because I talk to my son like he's my little homie. I try to be the cool dad, like, 'What's up? How many girls you have?'
I really just compete against myself. I look at my previous material and try to surpass what I've done.
I like my music to be like a buffet. If you don't like this plate, there's another one for you.
It's really sad for me that in the United States the Latino community is losing its culture and language, especially among kids born here - a lot of them can't even speak our language.
That's my goal: to get the world to know who Romeo Santos is. His music. My music. Even if they don't like it, I want them to know who I am.
Boxing is a really difficult sport! So I don't want to tell you I wouldn't try it, but I guess everybody that does know about it, my friends, they tell me how difficult it is, and I'm like, 'Eh.'
I've got a superstar like Usher singing bachata, a tune featuring Lil Wayne. I'm offering people more than just bachata. That captures a new audience that would listen to bachata because Usher is singing.
I grew up in a neighborhood that had a lot of things to offer, good and bad.
You could be the most beautiful girl, but if you're stuck up, that doesn't do it for me.
If I'm performing in the United States, I'm able to speak Spanglish, and the crowd comprehends. If I'm in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, then I'm completely Spanish. I feel like a New Yorker that represents all Latinos.
I would always talk with my friends in English and Spanglish, but it was more like slang. It was more like, 'Yo, what's up, dog?' But in Spanish, I know what's proper, and what's ghetto. I know the difference.
English is my first language, but musically speaking, I write my music in Spanish.
I like a girl that keeps me in love and keeps me entertained.
When I was producing 'Formula Vol. 2,' I knew I needed to come hard with the features and do something I hadn't done with Aventura. Collaborating with Drake was definitely one of those big steps that helped bachata go to the next level.
I don't enjoy hearing myself talk.
I'm reaching a huge audience. I'm doing what artists like Beyonce are doing in terms of selling out stadiums. The difference is my audience speaks Spanish.
I need to eat every three hours - it keeps my metabolism going so I stay at a certain weight.
My love life is good, and I feel like part of what's made it good is not talking about it.
You can have the best product, but if you don't have a plan - a label pushing it, the support of a network - you can't make it big with a product. It's all about distribution.
I go on stage for hours, and I like to give it my all.
When I was doing 'Formula Volume 1,' I had so many ideas that I knew one album was not going to be enough.
I think marriage can sometimes turn things into a business. It stops being about feelings.
I know what it is to be out entertaining millions and yet wanting to be home because you miss your loved ones.
In bachata, you had these guys that used to wear suits and had a really traditional style. We looked different. Baggy jeans. We had the Spanglish going on, and I knew that was going to work to our advantage.
I feel like the best relationships I've been in are those where things were more laid-back.
I've been so private. That's part of the reason they've said, 'Is Romeo gay?' No. I just don't want to show you my girl - if I got a girl.
My life is nothing like my videos. I'm definitely not walking around with lots of hot women, as I am in my videos.
I don't like planning what am I gonna say to the crowd. Sometimes the show takes a whole different twist.
I think you have a crossover when you are known to a wider audience and a different market. I've been able to sell out stadiums all over the world by doing my music. I'm lucky to be in that list without having done an official crossover. Now, will you hear me doing a little bit of R&B? Sure.
I think people look at me different when they see I'm dressed well. They pay attention. They know I'm about something.
There really isn't a formula for success.
I have nothing against crossing over, but I don't need to change to cross over.
When Aventura began, there was a lot of salsa and merengue, and we said, 'Let's just do what we do.' Then Aventura blew up, but urban was in its prime.
Part of my success with urban bachata is reinventing yourself as an artist and continuing to give people different kind of fusions, mixing up the elements and concepts without changing the beat.
I'm always onstage, and everyone there already loves me, so I go with this certain confidence.
My biggest tunes - 'Eres Mia,' 'Llevame Contigo,' 'Propuesta Indecente' - they aren't featuring anyone but me.
I believe that if each one of us have successful solo careers, it can only help the group's growth. It will allow the fans to see individual talent and make them appreciate us more. After all, we are in this for the long run and have every intention of returning with another album as Aventura.
I come from the Bronx, so I was exposed to every type of music you can think of.
I love not only the chubby ones, but also the skinny ones, black hair, the blondes... when I get up the stage, I give myself completely.
When I sing, I try to communicate certain emotions, and that's the voice that comes out.
You have to be confident about the product you're putting out. It's just like when a boxer is promoting a fight. You can't go out there and be like, 'This guy might beat me.'
Every time I'm preparing a new production, I'm trying to reinvent my style and offer the audience several choices.
I always want people to expect the unexpected, to hear me in records that have nothing to do with bachata. 'Golden' is the golden opportunity for them to appreciate me on other records.
