FEATURE STORY

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back, my mind state was good. I was really straight.”

The credit, he says, can go to two things. “Music saved my life,” he declares, continuing, “They say God works in mysterious ways, and this was one of those occasions. I started to live through faith. I read a lot and started to learn more. The way I was seeing things changed. I knew that something big was going to happen even though I didn’t know at the time what it was. And when I came out [of prison], I just evolved. I had to evolve in order to be a better person and a mainstream artist. Now I know how to keep that balance in life and find the balance between street music and commercial music.”

Anuel believes that everything he went through was necessary to get him to the spot he’s in today: not even yet 30 years old, with the world at his fingertips. Would he have liked to avoid jail time? Definitely. But was it necessary to make him into a man he could be proud of? That’s a resounding ‘yes,’ too.

“I don’t regret anything, for real,” he swears. “I’m the human being I am right now thanks to everything I’ve lived through, been through, gone through. [Prison] made me stronger. I learned how to live by myself, too. It turned me into a survivor. I thought I was a man [back then], I thought I knew everything about the world, but I didn’t. But that’s when I did learn about life, about being a real man, about responsibilities and priorities. I don’t regret it, because it had to happen.”

Anuel says that this time helped put things into perspective, and that he slowly began to shed his younger, less mature self like a second skin. “It really helped me focus and to realize the things that really matter in life. There’s a lot of things that come with the fame and the money that don’t really matter, that you can get caught up in. I had to dedicate myself to the work, to having a vision, and to not letting anything get in the way.”

This includes beef with rivals such as Puerto Rican rapper Cosculluela. Anuel famously released the widely criticized diss track “Intocable,” which resulted in the cancellation of a major show and which he has called “the worst mistake of my career.” But it was part of his learning curve. Today, he says of his feud, “That was three years ago. That’s not a thing anymore. I don’t know what that guy is doing now. I don’t even waste my time with that kind of stuff anymore; I’m in another phase entirely. Those were the things I used to do back then, but not now. I’m playing in the NBA celebrity game, my new album is doing great, my personal life is great. There’s too many good, big things happening in my life to pay attention to small things, so I’m not sweating the small stuff.”

Seriously, though, why would he need to focus on the past when the future is so bright? And by “bright” I mean that guys like Jamie Foxx have come a-calling. The A-list actor has not only helped Anuel to secure a YouTube docu-series, but the two are also in talks about creating a movie based on his life.

Enquiring minds want to know: How did these two even meet? Through a mutual love of luxury cars — and a man who sells them, as it happens. “I met Jamie through RD [Whittington], a close friend of mine who sells me cars. And anyone who knows me knows how much I love cars — I’m always posting about customizing them on Instagram. RD is Jamie’s best friend. So he just put us together one day, and we started vibing. He’s treated me like a king since the first moment we met. He’s really respectful, humble, and funny.”

Anuel repeatedly shakes his head as if he’s still in awe of the situation, and he very well might be. After all, it isn’t every day that an Oscar winner wants to tell the story of your life. To this he declares, “It’s been a roller coaster! But to be honest, the stuff that’s happened throughout my life really feels like a movie.”

That said, fans shouldn’t expect a biopic, or even a biographical TV series, any time in the immediate future. “It’s going to take time to build into whatever it’s going to be. We’re really close, but we’re not there yet. I’ve had all these offers, but I haven’t said yes to anything fully yet, because whatever I end up doing, I want it to be legendary. I want it to be perfect. It might be a series, it might be a movie, it might be two movies. Whatever it’s going to be, it will have a lot of action, a lot of drama,” he says.

Anuel will allow that his “whole life” will be the focus of said project. “You’re going to see the real story of somebody who ended up in the streets that wasn’t supposed to be there, who came from a good family but fell on hard times; a lion who ended up in the water with the sharks. He was not supposed to make it, but I made it — I’m here.”

Everything can be explained in one phrase, in his opinion, and that is ‘God’s plan.’ “[If the bad things hadn’t happened to me], I wouldn’t be on the journey I’m on now. That’s why I’m telling you, God’s plan is perfect. I don’t feel fazed by anything now. I know that no matter what happens, I’m going to be OK.”

The proof lies in the numbers, the records sold, his five Latin AMA awards, a Latin Billboard award, seven Premios Juventuds, three Premio Lo Nuestros and one Heat Latin Music Award. It is playing in Celebrity AllStar, in attention from Jamie Foxx, in his 10-plus luxury cars (his favorite of which is a Lamborghini SVJ).

Further proof is in his 20-30 tattoos, the visible scars that highlight his journey in indelible ink, including the most recent, the words “Fear of God” on his face and a giant, unfinished Japanese samurai mask on his chest. “It represents the soldier than I am. I’m fearless, no matter what,” he says.

And a legend in the making, perhaps, just like those athletes he so admires. One way or another, one day or another, he may just join their ranks. So watch this space, UFC fighters. “You might just see me out there in the octagon one day,” he confides. You’ll probably see me there, fighting.”

Said like a warrior.