by Lucas Villa
Lunay’s blossoming music profession has already racked up accomplishments most artists can solely dream of. In beneath two years, the Puerto Rican heartthrob has amassed over 1.8 billion views on YouTube and collaborated with all of the heavy-hitters in reggaeton music, together with pioneer Daddy Yankee. And the self-proclaimed El Niño, or “child,” of the style is barely getting began.
“I check with myself as El Niño as a result of I’m a child that’s curious and naughty,” Lunay says. “I work with the drive and need I’ve had since I used to be a child.”
Reggaeton’s newest rising star could be very a lot a product of Technology Z. Born Jefnier Osorio Moreno in Corozal, Puerto Rico, he acquired his begin by social media. Whereas nonetheless in highschool, the freestyles Lunay uploaded on-line caught the eye of Puerto Rican hit makers Chris Jeday and Gaby Music, who signed him to their Star Island label. In early 2019, Lunay generated buzz together with his single “Soltera.” The excitement reached Daddy Yankee and Puerto Rican famous person Unhealthy Bunny, who jumped on the remix.
“I’m most impressed by Daddy Yankee,” Lunay says of the OG who set reggaeton ablaze with “Gasolina” in 2004. “Because of God I had the chance to sing with him onstage and share the ‘Soltera’ remix with him and Unhealthy Bunny. They believed in me. From that second, issues began to take off.”Like in hip-hop, reggaeton music has an unlucky historical past of demeaning girls. In Latino tradition, that poisonous mindset is named machismo. Unhealthy Bunny has pushed again on the antiquated notion with songs that push again on home violence and empower girls. Lunay has been on the identical wavelength from the very begin, with “Soltera” specializing in an unbiased lady who lives her finest life within the membership.
“Empowering girls is one thing I at all times attempt to do with my music,” Lunay says. “Now we have to cease the mistreatment of ladies. I do know that I’ve impressionable followers who want to listen to these sorts of messages. All the ladies have been singing ‘Soltera’ within the membership. You don’t want a person to shine.”
Lunay is aware of the women love him, so he continues to maintain them glad together with his music. In “La Cama,” he presents breaking the mattress as a pick-up line and “Sin Ropa” is a twinkling ode to creating love. “These are issues that folks relate to,” he says with a smile on his face. “With ‘La Cama,’ that’s what individuals say to one another within the membership.” The tune was included on Lunay’s debut album “Épico,” which lived as much as its title, reaching as excessive as No. 2 on the Billboard Latin charts. Together with Daddy Yankee and Unhealthy Bunny, reggaeton stars like Wisin y Yandel, Myke Towers, Ozuna and Anuel AA cosigned Lunay’s profession and featured on the LP.
“‘Épico’ for me was the beginning of my evolution that I’ll always remember,” Lunay says. “That’s one thing my followers are going to always remember. All these artists are like my brothers.”
Earlier than his twenty first birthday in October, Lunay determined to mark the place he’s at in his life together with his second album, “El Niño.” He dropped the shock launch in Might. To replicate his development since “Épico,” the lyrics are extra mature and the reggaeton beats are extra aggressive. Nonetheless, he’s nonetheless a flirt within the lead single “Le Gusta Que La Vean,” an anthem for girls who like to be within the highlight. Within the music video, Lunay is a Ken doll with the field studying: “Strive Me.”
“I wished to go away behind a legacy earlier than I turned 21,” Lunay says. “To depart behind the legacy of this chapter of who I used to be and the issues that I lived in Puerto Rico and from touring the world. All these vibes have been the muse for this album that I put out for my followers.”
“El Niño” is a proudly Puerto Rican album. Reggaeton music is rooted in Puerto Rico and so is perreo, the twerking dance that originated within the marquesina storage events when the style was underground and criminalized within the ’90s. So the type of reggaeton that’s paying homage to these scorching and sweaty nights of the marquesina events is also known as perreo. Lunay has loads of perreo moments with “Social gathering DB” and “La Mini.” Each are beasts of reggaeton bangers that would blow out the audio system.
“‘Social gathering DB’ is likely one of the hardest songs on the album,” Lunay says. “It has perreo that represents the tradition of Puerto Rico. That’s the place I first broke by. That was my dream to signify my flag. I do know once I sing that tune reside that everybody goes to be winding to it.”
Lunay can also be tremendous tatted. His latest tattoo on prime of his left hand is the face of a child with a Martian. The newborn represents his El Niño period whereas the Martian is a nod to what he affectionately calls his producers Chris Jeday and Gaby Music. On his neck reads the phrase “Épico” in honor of his first LP.
“My entire story is tattooed on me,” Lunay says. “There are such a lot of chapters that I’ve lived on my physique. I don’t worry the ink.”
Followers can anticipate a world tour from Lunay in help of the “El Niño” album quickly. Outdoors of music, Lunay’s not too long ago gotten into the style sport, curating a set for Pull&Bear. He additionally reveals that he’s going to be showing in a film within the not-too-distant future. Lunay is changing into a model earlier than turning 21.
“I’m attaining issues that I dreamed of as a child, like making motion pictures and singing,” Lunay says. “I do know that I’m an instance for lots of my followers and I’m a motivation for them. I wish to encourage them to have braveness to go for it it doesn’t matter what anybody tells you.”