It was a revival year for Latin music with some form of reggaeton dominating almost all the major charts around the world.
Audience’s appetite for all things urban permeated Billboard lists to such a degree that nine out of the top 10 Hot Latin Songs of the year had a reggaeton beat, either organic (J Balvin, Maluma, Nicky Jam) or borrowed; Luis Fonsi and Shakira, both considered pop acts, integrated reggaeton into their music to create their massive hits, including Fonsi’s now legendary “Despacito” featuring Daddy Yankee. This new resurgence of reggaeton has influenced Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix hopeful, Alejandro Fuentes to bring some Latin fire into the heat of Eurovision national selection.
On his spry, bright, savvy entry, Tengo Otra, Alejandro collaborates with hottest music producers from Florida: Angel and Alejandro Pututi. Speaking exclusively to ESCplus, the Chilean born Norwegian singer explains that his collaboration with the Pututi duo was purely unintentional,
“I’ve been listening to a lot of Spanish music in the last couple of years and I discovered a group called Gente De Zona. I did some research and found out who produced their tracks. Then I sent them (Angel and Alejandro Pututi) a private message on Instagram and didn’t actually expect a reply, but they did! From there on, we started chatting and now I gladly can say I work with some of Miami`s hottest producers and get to call them my friends”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjEluKZ_OQY
The collaboration is fruitful in the end, as Tengo Otra made it to the top ten of this year’s Melodi Grand Prix. Alejandro, who has dropped two albums and numerous singles, confirms that he had been asked by the selection committee to participate last year. However, the heartthrob has to decline the offer as he and his wife just welcomed their first child.
“I couldn’t deny that the thought stayed in my head the whole year, so I figured why not participating next year? I love new challenges. And now, here I am!”.
Even though he’s excited to take part in the Melodi Grand Prix, Tengo Otra was not specifically written for the competition. “It was written for my upcoming album. However, I thought this was a great way to show the world the new music I’m working on”.
Ever since his participation in the third season of Norwegian’s Idol (2005), Alejandro has enjoyed a successful career in the Nordic music scene. His tour in 2006 with three other Norwegian artists, Askil Holm, Espen Lind, and Kurt Nilsen (winner of Norwegian Idol season 1 and World Idol) achieved critical acclaims, which later lead to a second re-grouping, tour, and new album in 2009. A versatile artist, Alejandro’s musical style has evolved over time, starting off with acoustic touch domination in “Diamonds or Pearl” (2005), soft-rock influenced in “Tomorrow Only Knows” (2006), and now shifting to aggressive reggaeton beat in “Tengo Otra”. His non-album releases, such as Encore, One More Night, Nabolaget Mitt, and Rå, are all very well produced and eargasm guaranteed. When asked about the possibility of putting those materials into an album, the raven-haired singer says that he has no intention to do it.
“Everything that I released from 2007 until 2017 has been an experiment for me. I’ve been really searching for what way I’m meant to follow, in terms of making music… and I feel that after ten years of searching, I’m finally on the right track”.
During this period (2007-2017), beside making music, the multi-talented artist also tried out his luck in acting. He was cast to play a charismatic ferryman in “Yohan – The Child Wanderer”, a popular Norwegian movie that featured Eurovision alumnus Alexander Rybak and Carola Häggkvist.
Humorous and witty, Alejandro explains his involvement in the silver screen with sass, “I went to school with the movie director’s son. At that time, he needed a handsome man to play the captain. Well, say no more… I was born to play that part”.
On his upcoming album, he totally re-invents and re-discover himself, diving into the world of Latin music. “I am currently working on an EP/album, not sure what to call it yet. But it’s going to be awesome. I will describe it as soft romantic reggaeton, but I think people will just simply call it reggaeton”.
When asked whether he’s going to release more music in English, the Nordic-Latino answers with strict confidence that right now he is focusing his career in the Latin market, therefore his upcoming releases will be mostly in Spanish. “Well, maybe Spanglish too in some tracks,” he adds. “I am seriously penetrating into the Spanish speaking market right now. So, expect more from this guy! I am here to stay,” he smiles.
Lately, he has been busy making a music video for a new song that will drop after Melodi Grand Prix wraps up. “Probably when I win Eurovision, I will make one for Tengo Otra as well,” he says jubilantly.
Speaking about his English release, we instantly fell in love with Rå at the first listen. Despite the language barrier (we have zero knowledge of Norwegian), the emotion in the song really got into us.
“I wrote this one on my honeymoon. Well, I was reflecting on how I met my wife. You know that feeling, right? The feeling when you meet someone for the first time and your gut tells you that she is the one. Well, the song is about the night I met her. Of course, you need to know Norwegian to fully grasp the lyrics,” the quick-witted man explains.
Challenge accepted, Alejandro! We’ll sign up for Norwegian course soon. Next time we conduct an interview, it will be full in Norwenglish.
Alejandro, who is currently working on his Melodi Grand Prix staging, is also very grateful for the support he has received from his international fans.
“Thank you for following me and my music. I am truly blessed and grateful for all the love I receive from you all”.