If “Todo de Ti” is any indication, Rauw Alejandro is having a moment.
On his sophomore studio album, Vice Versa, out today (June 25) via Duars Entertainment, Rauw (real name: Raúl Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz) opted to go experimental, trading, for the most part, his signature reggaeton and Latin R&B sound for more electro-pop, funk, and even Brazilian-inclined rhythms.
“This is the music I like to do,” he tells Billboard, crediting James Brown, Bruno Mars, and Michael Jackson as his music idols. “This album has a lot of contrast and a great selection of music.”
His best example? “Todo De Ti,” which the Puerto Rican-born artist admits was the last song to make it on Vice Versa.
“The album is incredible but the more I heard it, I felt like something was missing. That’s when ‘Todo de Ti’ was born,” he says, getting inspired from old-school sounds like funk and disco. “The most important thing in my music is the melodies. I began vibing in the studio with my producer Mr. Nais Gai and when I found the perfect melody, that’s when I began writing the concept of the song. I was so excited about the track that we finished it in two days.”
Also a phenomenon on TikTok with over one million video creations, “Todo de Ti” currently sits at No. 45 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. It also entered the Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Global 200, and Global Excl. U.S. charts.
“It’s a totally different proposal and I took a risk,” he says.
Vice Versa contains only three reggaeton songs, two collaborations (one with Anitta and his longtime friend, Lyanno), and the rest, a rollercoaster of new fusions, best representing his album’s cover.
He explains the production was created between 2020 and 2021 and that he began working on it just two weeks after finalizing his debut set, Afrodisiaco. He also mentions that his entire team — which has been by his side since the beginning of his career — fully supported and respected the route he wanted to take in Vice Versa.
“I like to get out of my comfort zone,” he proudly states. “That’s what makes me happy, to be able to explore, expand and grow. I don’t judge any artist that wants to follow their line but in my case, I don’t like getting boxed in a certain type of genre. I want to experiment with the most that I can in my career and aim to become that complete artist.”
Undoubtedly, the 14-track set — which tells stories of love, heartbreak, and healing but is also full of summer jams — demonstrates a new side of Rauw. One which he says is “very promising.”
“Every project that I do, I try to connect with my fans and the way that I connect with them is by putting my heart and soul on the table and expressing my art to the maximum,” he concludes.
Up next, Rauw prepares to perform his biggest hits and new songs on his 2021-2022 tour in the U.S., Spain, and Puerto Rico, including three sold-out shows at the emblematic Coliseo de Puerto Rico on October 21, 22, and 23.
Stream and listen to Vice Versa below:
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