- country:USA
- style(s):Latin, Salsa
- label:Top Stop Music
- type:Solo
- gender:male
- artist posted by:The Relentless Agency
After the resounding success of his latest albums, SOY Y SERE y CICLOS the Nicaraguan singer-songwriter Luis Enrique is continuously immersed in his task of creating new music for his fans - who he has dubbed affectionately as his "accomplices" (Complices) - and for fans of musical excellence.
Being always an artist in music and songwriting, Luis Enrique's "comeback" put him back in an important seat in Latin American music. In fact, he made one of the most striking returns in tropical music in recent times, event that was affirmed by the highest and most demanding organizations in the industry. He was awarded two Latin Grammys, an American Grammy, four Premio Lo Nuestro, two Billboard Latin, two Premios Ronda as well and recognition from Premios Huaco, TVyNovelas, Aplausos, ACE and ASCAP.
The artist also has become a forceful figure in the struggle for immigrant rights, participating in forums, conferences and bringing a message of openness and collaboration through social networks, in which he actively participates. He was recently part of the annual conference of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, where he had the opportunity to address President Barack Obama and express his thoughts and concerns regarding the issue of immigration in the country. He called for reform to happen now, similar to that which granted him citizenship and a new beginning in 1986. Luis Enrique spoke about the "Dream Act" and the importance of immigration reform.
Luis Enrique is a living example of the "American Dream" and the courage of the Latin race to have a better life through hard work. Native of the small town of Somoto in Nicaragua, he set out to pursue his musical dream which with fighting force and musical talent he accomplished.
After becoming the most revolutionary figure of salsa in the early 80's, Luis Enrique went through a period of nine years without recording, although never off the stage. Maturity, experience, passion and desire plotted in CICLOS, produced by renowned producer Sergio George for the label Top Stop Music, achieving an impressive and immediate success not only in the U.S. but in Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean as well. The song "Yo No Se Manana" lead this musical project and gave back Luis Enrique a place of preference among the public, colleagues and the industry in general.
With these experiences behind him, Luis Enrique debuts SOY Y SERE, a new project that attests and confirms his growth as a songwriter and a laborer of music. Launched in June 2011, once again this production combines his and Sergio George's talent. Resulting in a masterpiece that consists of 11 songs and a stage of new sounds interspersed with classic salsa. Jorge Luis Piloto, Jorge Villamizar, Monica Velez and Alex Cuba participate as songwriters in SOY Y SERE, providing stories that we all live in a poetic, free, clear and precise language.
Luis Enrique and his brother Ramon Mejia, better known as Perrozompopo, wrote the first single "Dame De Tu Boca". "Dame De Tu Boca" is a happy and romantic song with musical arrangements made by Sergio George who managed to create a catchy ode to love, a song with the ability to soak up and tempt music fans of all ages. "Locos Los 2", another of the great successes of the latter album has achieved first place in the charts. Luis Enrique and musician, songwriter and performer Alex Cuba, who along with Luis Enrique wrote four songs in the album, wrote it. Among the collaborations and the mixture of musical sounds, Soy y Sere also includes a duet with Bachata sensation and awarded young musician Prince Royce called "Sabes".
Luis Enrique tells his story:
"I came to the genre when I realized I could make music you can dance to, without sacrificing a good message," says Luis Enrique who has carried the rhythm of its tradition and its people since leaving his homeland over 30 years ago.
Surrounded by a family where music was paramount, his interest to innovate and create was always present even during his childhood in Managua. Excited to grow, he moves to Los Angeles in 1978. Inspired by jazz and the American rhythm and blues, he added new sounds to his compositions.
But all roads led him to Salsa. It happened in Miami at an audition for the lead singer of a salsa group. He recorded the demo that afternoon where he discovered his connection to tropical music, it became his first album in the U.S.: "Amor de Medianoche ", published in 1987 by Sony Discos.
His image, away from the stereotypes of Salsa, earned the attention of new audiences, enriching the genre and earning him the nickname "Principe de la Salsa" (Prince of Salsa).
In 1988 he recorded his second album titled "Amor y Alegria" in Puerto Rico. In addition to achieving immediate success with the songs "Desesperado", "Tu No Le Amas, Le Temes" and "Comprendelo", it's during this time that the Caribbean island becomes his second home.
"Another of those moments that were important in my career was the arrival in Puerto Rico," he recalls proudly. "Many people in Latin America think I'm Puerto Rican."
Thereafter, the career of Luis Enrique gains strength and new records become number one in sales, "Mi Mundo", "Luces Del Alma", "Una Historia Diferente", "Luis Enrique Live" - recorded live at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles - "Dilema" and "Luis Enrique", plus over a dozen productions recorded in Costa Rica, Venezuela, Mexico and Nicaragua.
But his talent goes beyond his own productions; he has collaborated with other stars such as Gloria Estefan in "Mi Tierra" in which Luis Enrique played percussion instruments. Moreover, he also worked as a performer on the song "Maria" performed by Ricky Martin, and musical productions for Chayanne, Arturo Sandoval, Alex Acuna and Collective Soul, among others.
Beyond the ongoing acknowledgement of the public, represented in the several gold and platinum discs he has received throughout his career, he has scored five nominations for the American GRAMMY Awards, five nominations and two awards for the Latin GRAMMY, eight Premio Lo Nuestro, two Premios Ronda in Venezuela, as well as recognition from the awards Huaco of Panama, TV y Novelas Mexico and Colombia, Premios Aplausos, and the prestigious ASCAP & ACE in the U.S.
His last album with Sony Records, "Genesis", brought him closer to the Pop genre, transcending the barriers imposed by being consistent with a style. Two years later, with Polygram Latino as new record label, he released "Timbalaye", showing his maturity as a composer, performer and producer, allowing the Afro-Caribbean influence to translate into his compositions.
With the new millennium, he premiered his own label: Chazz Music, distributed by WEA Latina and after five years records Salsa again with an innovative, fresh and with his personal rhythm. With "Evolucion" (2000) and then "Transparente" (2002), he is producer, songwriter, arranger, musician and performer. A few years later, he recorded "Dentro y Fuera" (2006), "a way to remember that beyond how you define someone or something, in the end, one always ends within oneself, with one internal communion," he said.
Luis Enrique, a versatile musician, considered one of the best percussionists in Latin music, is set to continue to reap success and receive awards through his productions and restore his title as "El Principe de la Salsa" (The Prince of Salsa).