Backbeat: Pre-Billboard Latin Music Awards "Mas Y Musica" Pool Party Features High Towers, DJ Kane, More
The view during High Towers' set at the "Mas Y Música" Pool Party before the Billboard Latin Music Conference. (Photo: Arnold Turner)
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Don't miss the Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards, presented by State Farm taking place April 23-26, 2012 at the JW Marriott Marquis, Miami. This year's conference includes Q&As with Pitbull and Jenni Rivera, the 2nd annual Latin Music Marketing Awards, and execs like Target VP of entertainment John Butcher and Univision radio president Jose Valle. Visit BillboardLatinConference.com for details. |
The pre- Billboard Latin Music Conference introduced artists from around the world who took turns performing at the pool side stage during the "Mas y Mas Música" showcase at the JW Marriott Marquis featuring several genres from pop to tropical music.
Introduced by SAM Broadcaster in collaboration with Musical Rhythms Promotions, the event was hosted by Erick Cuesta and included performances by Kury Luna, Frankie Nino, Andre Marcel and artists from Spanglish Global including Maffio, DJ Kane, Davon and Ricky Rick.
Also featured at the party included Mega "Tu Dulcero" and Aldo "El Arquitecto."
(L-R): Latin Pulse Media's Michael P. Lazarus, audio/music engineer Robert Garcia Perez, and Mexican composer Hector Esquer. (Photo: Arnold Turner)
For Mega "Tu Dulcero," whose real name is Samuel Serrano of Puerto Rico, the night gave him an opportunity to switch hats from producer to artist.
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For Cuban artist Mr. D, it was about introducing his music, a craft that he's been working on since he was a child.
"I consider myself an urban act who does reggaeton with many other types of styles," Mr. D said. "From the age of 10 I've been attracted to urban music and inspired by artists like Vico-C and Don Omar."
High Towers with Mr. D (center) at the "Mas Y Música" pool party. (Photo: Arnold Turner)
New Yorker Kury Luna, also known as Jose Miguel Blanco, also performed his music in bachata style. Pumva " El De La Voz Suave," who also hails from Cuba, said that meshing different types of music is key to his work as an artist.
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"I'm fusing merengue with other instruments like violins," Pumva said. "I consider myself a versatile artist in the sense I can rap and sing."
Aldo, also from Puerto Rico, said performing at the event was an important move for his career.
"Miami is an important city when it comes to music and performing at the Billboard event made it possible for industry people to hear my music," Aldo said.
Dj Kane, who dazzled the crowd with his vocal chops, said that being part of the new label Spanglish Global is a proud accomplishment.
The Spanglish Global crew (L-R): Dariel, Ricky Rick, Maffio, DJ Kane, Davon, and Danny D. (Photo: Arnold Turner)
"Spanglish Global is a Miami-based music label and I am working on my new album, Mi Stereo, which includes my first single by the same name," he said. "My album is scheduled for release in September 2012."
Reggaeton act High Towers also performed as part of the showcase. The duo, P-Haze and Flip, entertained with "Yo Quiero Que Sepas" and Mami Voy A Darte," songs that got the crowd dancing around the pool.
Frank Nino, from Colombia, was also a crowd favorite. Known for his raps about social causes, the artist said it's very important for him to support social causes. He was raised during political and social unrest in his country and eventually helped launch a music-focused rehabilitation program for inmates in his native country.
Dariel, Maffio and Davon hanging out at the poolside. (Photo: Arnold Turner)
"Creating positive messages through music is important," Nino said. "And helping others is something that is part of what I do because I came from a family that did the same thing."
Others that performed included Danny D, Dariel, Ricky Rick and Maffio, who said being a founder of the Spanglish Global label is something he wants to see become bigger by supporting other artists.
"It's about the quality of the music," Maffio said. "We are all working on an album together, but we are all simultaneously working on individual projects, too."
Reyna Trevino of Trevino Enterprises poses with DJ Kane. (Photo: Arnold Turner)