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the emotive possibilities of pop art. The motifs of love and tragedy-- older than Romeo and Juliet, older than Pyramus and Thisbe-- are constantly resuscitated within our folk art. In 2010, Don Omar recognized something eternal in “Llorando Se Fue’s” yearning lyrical imagery and the deep sense of tragedy evoked by the song’s instrumentation. His contribution (“Taboo”) to “Llorando Se Fue’s” continuity is the most palpably joyous in the pantheon. “Taboo’s” music video contains a class-resentment tinged twist, as well as, an allusion to Kaoma’s “Lambada” music video-recreating the iconic scene of a white teen girl and black teen boy running across the beach to embrace-- which is remarkable for the way it expands the song’s emotive effect through “Taboo’s” self-contained narrative while also tapping into our cultural memory (Chico & Roberta, the child duet who played the love interests in Kaoma’s “Lambada” video). Nicknamed El Rey (in the custom of pinnacle cultural pop icons like Michael Jackson, Lebron James, Jay-Z and Kanye West), Puerto Rican born and raised William Omar Landron Rivera went from active church member at the Protestant Iglesia Evangelica Restauracion en Cristo in Bayamon to pop star and actor. Like his contemporary Daddy Yankee, Don Omar’s career trajectory has flowed seamlessly from pure dembow reggaeton superstar recognized across Latin America to urban Latin pop sensation worldwide. In doing so, Omar has expanded the emotional effect and impact of his artistry. El Rey’s early reggaeton hits (“Pobre Diabla”, “Dile”, “Reggaeton Latino”) showcased his
ability to empathize and connect, as well as, his ability to make people dance (collaborating with the excellent producer Eliel didn’t hurt). His repurposing of a Latin American pop and folk classic like “Llorando Se Fue” is an example of the transcendent fusion that can occur when a talented commercial artist takes his art seriously and understands the spiritual and psychological desires of his people. His uneven 2012 release Don Omar Presents MTO2: New Generation evidences Omar’s broadened emotional spectrum in its two biggest successes and standout tracks: single releases “Hasta Que Salga el Sol” and “Dutty Love”. While not destined to become enormous megahits like his remaking of Lucenzo’s “Danza Kuduro”, the MTO2 singles are great in their own right and their own way. “Dutty Love’s” slow-paced dembow is movingly tender in a perhaps groundbreaking way. Even the brilliant “No Me Dejes Solo” (one of the earliest and best examples of insightful vulnerability in the reggaeton genre) couldn’t completely shed its macho hard edge in the generous and truthful way “Dutty Love” does. “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” continues in the joyous vein of Omar’s own “Danza Kuduro” and “Taboo”. “Hasta Que Salga El Sol’s” hopeful, ecstatic celebration unearths a cultural truth belonging to Latin music: the joy often expressed in Latin music is of the hard-earned variety that underlies suffering. Thus, “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” is shadowed by the realization of an eventual end to the party.
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The great “Danza Kuduro’s” massive success speaks to Omar’s ability to tap into and release the vitality of his pop audience. Don Omar’s ability to connect with all types of fans with Danza Kuduro, surpasses even that of his contemporary Daddy Yankee. Don Omar’s musical achievement with Danza Kuduro (which differs little in arrangement from the Lucenzo original) is not as significant as the global, pan-Latin unity Omar marshaled and realized in creating Danza Kuduro. Similar to the success of Fast Five (in which “Danza Kuduro” as part of the soundtrack, and Don Omar and reggaetonero Tego Calderon as actors memorably feature), Danza Kuduro was an inspiring example of the possibilities of state of the modern music landscape-- global, multicultural, full of life and joined across various mediums (movie and music). Don’t miss Don Omar in his only club performance of the year. On Friday, July 26th Don Omar performs at Cococabana Bar & Grill (2031A University Boulevard, Hyattsville MD 20783). For more info, call 301-431-1882. Tickets (General Admission $65) available through www.tickeri.com. █