Aventura

Aventura Frontman Says Group Had 'Connection' With Akon, Wyclef

05 Feb 2010 06:45:00 EST

'We're trying to show people our diversity,' Romeo says of the group's collaborations with hip-hop stars.
By Jayson Rodriguez

NEW YORK — Dominican Bachata act Aventura have expanded their sound and fanbase beyond the traditional Spanish-speaking crowd by collaborating with a range of artists from rapper Ludacris to pop duo Nina Sky.

But the four-man collective's work with Akon and Wyclef in the past really ignited their creative spirit, according to Aventura frontman Romeo. The singer said working with Akon helped the group evolve their sound, but he emphasized that there's a limit to their expansion.

"Akon and us, we family, it's a mutual respect," Romeo told MTV News. "When I work with artists, I like to not because they're popular, but because there's some sort of connection in what we do. And we've been huge fans of Akon for a while and he tells us that he likes our album, so it kind of makes it easy when we collaborate. Because we're not in the air like, 'What do we do?' It's something natural.

"He wanted to do Bachata; we wanted to do something more urban," he continued about their collaboration, "All Up 2 You," which also features Wisin y Yandel, from their most recent album The Last.

"It's interesting — we had the same situation with Wyclef," Romeo said. "That tells you that they are really familiar with what we do. But we're trying to show people our diversity and that we could do a little bit of urban and what they do. But it was really fun working with Akon and we most likely will be working on tracks [again] in the future."

Although the Bronx-bred Aventura are eager to show off their talent to a broader base, anyone waiting for a complete crossover project shouldn't hold their breath.

Romeo said the group — which recently completed a sold-out four-date showcase at Madison Square Garden — will continue to tweak their sound. But as they add to their following and their profile increases, they won't bow to the pressure to transform into a mainstream act.

"In our genre, we're either Bachata, strictly, or you're something else that has nothing to do with Bachata, so it's tough to mix that," he explained. "Because people could easily say we're trying to sell out. That's why I always promised myself — there's a saying, never say never — but I believe that I'm never gonna do a complete crossover album. If anything, I'll continue to add new things to my production — maybe keep it 50/50, you know, Bachata, which is what people accept us for and maybe some urban music, maybe some English songs, but not a complete English album."

Who else would you like Aventura to collaborate with in the studio? Would you want to hear an English-language album from the guys? Let us know in the comments below, or upload a video to Your.MTV.com!

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Aventura Frontman Romeo Santos 'Honored' By Lady Gaga Comparisons

01 Feb 2010 06:50:00 EST

'It's definitely an honor to be compared to ... mainstream artists that have done big stuff in New York City,' he says of sold-out four-show run at Madison Square Garden.
By Jayson Rodriguez

NEW YORK — There's been an array of homegrown talent, from Rev. Run of Run-DMC to Marc Anthony to Jay-Z, who could make the claim that Madison Square Garden is their house. Rev. Run even made a song about it back in the day.

But Dominican Bachata group Aventura — all raised in the Bronx — are making a case of their own right now. The quartet is currently in the midst of a four-show run at the Garden, selling out each date and leading local tabloids to laud their feat, particularly over another Gotham act, Lady Gaga, who recently had a successful four-show run at the smaller Radio City Music Hall.

So what do the guys of Aventura think of the lofty praise?

"It's definitely an honor to be compared to artists like Marc Anthony and mainstream artists like Lady Gaga that are out and have done big stuff in New York City," Aventura frontman Anthony "Romeo" Santos told MTV News. "I hate it when they make it a competition though, because it's really totally different worlds. She's doing big things and if I wouldn't have had four concerts I would have probably been at one of her [dates] just enjoying her show."

The collective is touring in support of their fifth album, The Last, which has already spawned four hit singles, from the Akon-assisted "All Up 2 You" to current chart-topper "Dile al Amor." "Dile al Amor" is their fourth song to top the Latin charts.

"It's really overwhelming what's happening right now in Aventura's career," Romeo said. "We don't take anything for granted. I think that it's been a long journey, but we got motivated to keep going and never be satisfied with the status that we're in at the moment."

On Monday and Tuesday (February 1 and 2) the group will complete the New York City leg of their tour. According to Romeo, he and the other three Aventura members (Lenny Santos, Henry Santos Jeter and Max Santos) are looking forward to closing out the run with more surprises. They've been joined by Anthony, Akon and fellow Latin artists Wisin Y Yandel on stage so far.

"We try to make sure that everyone that's present leaves feeling like it was worth it," he said. "And with four nights at the Garden, I feel like we're halfway through and everyone has actually — from what I hear, the comments — left with their money's worth, 'cause we've given [the audience] what they expect but then we also brought some surprises, like Marc Anthony, Akon and Wisin Y Yandel."

What did you think about the Aventura concerts? Have pictures? Let us know in the comments below, or upload them to Your.MTV.com!

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Aventura

Aventura Thank Their 'Loyal Fans' For The Last's Top-Five Debut

23 Jun 2009 15:58:00 EDT

'We're really satisfied with what's happened with this album, and it's just the beginning,' frontman Romeo tells MTV News.
By Lisa Gonzalez

Wisin y Yandel recently made history when La Revolución debuted in the top 10 on the U.S. albums chart, making it the highest Latin album debut in two years. But a few weeks later, Aventura scored an even bigger debut with their album The Last — outselling the reggaetón giants to claim the #1 spot on Billboard's Latin albums chart and #5 on the top 200.

"We're super excited. We have the most loyal fans in the world," Aventura frontman Romeo told MTV News at a record signing last week in Los Angeles. "We're really satisfied with what's happened with this album, and it's just the beginning."

The Bronx foursome pulled out all the stops for the album, fusing their signature bachata with rap, R&B and even Middle Eastern influences. The album also boasts appearances by Wisin y Yandel, Akon, Ludacris and Wyclef Jean.

"We decided to do a song with Wyclef, 'cause we actually recorded the album in his studio," guitarist Lenny said about "Spanish Fly," which features Wyclef and Ludacris. "He said, 'I would like to work with you guys.' And we were like, 'Of course. You're one of the best producers.' Wyclef wanted to mix bachata with hip-hop/Jamaican/reggae music rolled into one."

Their most ambitious album to date, The Last marks the band's final recording with record label Premium Latin. And while that opens the door to new opportunities, including a rumored solo album for lead singer Romeo, fans worry it may spell the end of the group.

"We're gonna definitely do individual projects [afterward], but we're never gonna close that Aventura door," Romeo said. "We're gonna continue to do Aventura music. We want to be that first Latino group to do individual projects yet come back and still have success as a group. I hope that people appreciate our individual talent, but definitely, Aventura is not going to be over."

So what would a Romeo solo album sound like? Though he admits he'd like to experiment and explore new genres, the singer wants to reassure fans he'd never completely abandon bachata.

"I wouldn't leave bachata, because it's the genre that has made me successful. I would like to do a little bit of everything — ballads, pop — but keep a balance of bachata with other genres. And maybe get into acting, when the time is right"

For now, Romeo, Lenny, Max and Henry remain bachata's biggest-selling act, reaching the top five on the U.S. charts alongside acts like Eminem and the Black Eyed Peas.

"We never really imagined we were going to be able to reach the level that we've reached," Romeo said. "And we keep going because we only want to keep growing as artists. So definitely, we don't take it for granted."

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Aventura

Akon Follows 50 Cent's Lead Into Latin Music

13 May 2009 16:53:00 EDT

Singer teams up with Dulce Maria, Aventura, Wisin y Yandel.
By Lisa Gonzalez

When 50 Cent teamed up with Wisin y Yandel to collaborate on the reggaetón duo's single, "Mujeres en el Club," he may have started a trend, as more urban artists seem to be popping up on Spanish-language tracks.

Now Akon has joined in, making his foray into the Latin genre by dropping not one but two new singles. The hitmaker recently recorded a remix of his latest smash "Beautiful," featuring Spanish vocals by ex-RBD member Dulce Maria. And last week he joined Bachata stars Aventura to shoot a video in Miami for their blazing new single "All Up to You," along with Wisin y Yandel.

"Working with Akon, it was an experience," Aventura frontman Romeo told MTV News from the video set. "We've never worked with an artist this huge."

According to Romeo, it was Akon who first approached the Bronx, New York-based foursome about working together. And when we asked Akon if we could expect to see more of these collaborations, he said it was only the beginning.

"I think you're gonna see a lot more of that kind of [collaboration between] the whole hip-hop, R&B and the Latino community," Akon said at last month's Billboard Latin Music Awards, where he performed the song live. "We were always connected, we just never actually worked together. So now we're going to start doing that."

It isn't the first time the worlds have collided. Other recent pairings include Daddy Yankee, who scored a hit in 2007 with his "Impacto" remix featuring Black Eyed Peas' Fergie. And Latin pop singer David Bisbal also hit the studio to record a Spanish remix of Rihanna's hit "Hate That I Love You." There are also a lot more hot collaborations on the horizon. Aventura, for instance, have teamed up with Ludacris and Wyclef Jean for a track called "Spanish Fly" on their next album, The Last, which drops on June 9. Plus, Grammy-winning rap duo Calle 13 revealed exclusively to MTV News during last year's VMAs that they've spoken to Nas about laying down a joint track.

Reggaetón giants Wisin y Yandel, whose new album, La Revolucion, drops late this month, say the growing Spanglish trend is a natural evolution as urban music becomes less about language.

"We're breaking the language barrier working with Akon, working with 50 Cent," Wisin said. "It's about making good music, and I think that's what we're trying to do."

Wisin y Yandel are this month's guest bloggers on MTVTr3s.com — check out their latest post here!

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Reggaeton Superstar Tego Calderon Headlines AIDS-Awareness Concert

01 Apr 2005 16:46:00 EST

This year's concert aimed at Latino population.
By Hillary Crosle

With Tego Calderón's El Abayarde album selling more than 350,000 copies, mainstream recognition for reggaetón — a Spanish-language blend of hip-hop, salsa and dancehall reggae — may not be far away. The non-profit AIDS-awareness organization LIFEbeat utilized the genre's popularity at its third Hearts & Voices AIDS Benefit Concert at the New York nightclub Spirit on Thursday night, presenting reggaetón heavyweight Tego Calderón and Dominican boy band Aventura as headliners.

Aventura, accompanied by a seven-piece band, took the stage first amid screams and flying undergarments. Fusing R&B and hip-hop with the Dominican style of bachata, the four singers crooned and swooned through a 30-minute set. Belting out primarily uptempo songs like "Hermanita" and "Cuando Volveras," the group paused the show to pull a female fan from the audience, and then danced with her (rather lewdly). Ending their set with a nod to the evening's message, lead singer Anthony Santos exclaimed, "Sex is the best sh-- — but it's not worth dying for. Latinos, I love you!"

Short sets from acts including MP3, Sucio and Solito followed, but were often interrupted by shouts of "Tego! Tego! Tego!"

Finally, reggaetón's lackadaisical superstar took the stage, with his trademark sunglasses and his afro squeezing out of his fitted Yankees cap. With a mischievous smile, the veteran tore through songs like "Aballarde" and "Bailalo Como Tu Quieras," walking slowly across the stage surrounded by an entourage that grew larger and larger as the set went on. Ironically donning a track jacket that read "Jamaica," the Puerto Rican star pulled a fan onstage and took a slug from her bottle of Hennessy as she shook uncontrollably from either nerves or excitement.

Meanwhile, Calderón finished off the set by rhyming over his remixes of Terror Squad's "Lean Back" and 50 Cent's "Pimp," and attempted (unsuccessfully) to crowd surf. Instead, the fans pulled him down while he let loose his trademark cackle, made famous on "Lean Back."

According to LIFEbeat Executive Director John Cannelli, the Latino community was the focus of this year's concert because Latinos represent 19 percent of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in the U.S., while they comprise 14 percent of the population.

Past participants in the Hearts & Voices concert series include Kanye West, Young Gunz, Memphis Bleek, State Property and Mario Winans.

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Aventura - Go Loco

27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT

Go Loco

Artist: Aventura
Label: SMC Recordings
Director: Kai Henry
Album: Blackman's Foundation

Aventura - All Up 2 You

05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

All Up 2 You

Artist: Aventura
Label: Premium Latin Music
Director: Jessy Terrero
Album: Retro Blues Express

Aventura - Los Infieles

22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

Los Infieles

Artist: Aventura
Label: Premium Latin Music
Director: Jessy Terrero
Album: The Singles Collection