Álvaro Díaz (rapper)
Jorge Álvaro Díaz Rodríguez (born 1989)[1] is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer-songwriter.
Early life and education
[edit]From the San Juan neighborhood of Hato Rey, Diaz participated in and won rap battles at school, while also sharing his work on popular music forums in Puerto Rico. His love for music was nurtured by his mother, who sang to him throughout his childhood, and his father, who was a member of a salsa orchestra.[2] He discovered hip-hop through Eminem, later influenced by Kanye West and Kid Cudi, which set him apart from Puerto Rico's hip-hop scene. He formed the collective LV CIUDVD with friends to merge indie music and fashion.[3]
Diaz studied public relations at university.[2]
Career
[edit]Díaz's breakout single "Chicas de la Isla" was released in 2015, followed by a series of singles. His debut album, Hato Rey (2015), pays homage to his San Juan neighborhood, blending genres like soul, funk, reggaeton, plena, and boomba. The independently released 2016 EP San Juan Grand Prix showcased a grittier, more combative sound. A planned full-length debut album for 2016, initially titled Diaz Buenos, Diaz Malos, never came to fruition. In 2017, Díaz began releasing multiple singles, including club hits like "West Side" and "Asiento de Atrás."[3]
In 2019, Díaz teamed up with Rauw Alejandro for the charting single "Videos" and collaborated with Sousa on the track "Uwi." He also released the three-track EP Diaz Antes: Wavy pa las Bbys and featured on Tainy's electro-cumbia hit "Mera." His 2020 album, Diaz Antes, featured a variety of guest artists, including Yandel and Cazzu, and was preceded by the five-track EP Diaz Antes: La Ciudad de los Niños Tristes.[3]
In 2020, Díaz released the EP Diaz Antes: La Ciudad de los Niños Tristes and followed it with several singles, including "Deportivo" and "Lo Que Te Duele." He also collaborated on tracks by Eladio Carrión ("Mala"), Caleb Calloway ("GT Sport"), and Yatra ("A Dónde Van"). He wrapped up the year with the 17-track Diaz Antes, featuring numerous collaborators such as Yandel, Fuego, and C. Tangana. In early 2021, Díaz contributed to four club hits, including Marconi Impara's "Ouche," Sousa's "Exxxtasy," Llane's "Presente y Futuro" (which also featured Zion), and Kobi Cantillo's "Tarantino" alongside Big Soto.[3]
Díaz released his album Felicilandia in 2021,[3] breaking into the mainstream Latin urbano scene[4] which was inspired by a fictional amusement park representing a euphoric world. His subsequent album, Sayonara, released in 2024, is thematically linked to Felicilandia, exploring the challenges of romance and the process of letting go. It has been described as "darker and much more experimental than its predecessor." Díaz experienced delays with Sayonara, during which he wrote music for artists like Karol G and Daddy Yankee and toured Latin America and Spain. The album Sayonara features contributions from several producers and artists, blending various musical styles, including reggaeton, hip-hop, and punk rock. Díaz views the album as a reflection of his personal experiences and struggles, with tracks serving as significant markers in his life. He also dedicated a song to his late manager, Alex Malverde, who supported him early in his career. Rolling Stone describes Sayonara as evoking the feel of a vintage arcade, filled with colorful neon Eighties sounds, anime references, and heavy synth experiments. The album is noted for its blend of old-school, tambor-heavy reggaeton, early hip-hop, alternative and punk rock, Latin trap, and house.[5]
In July 2024, Díaz performed a Tiny Desk Concert for the video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music.
Díaz is a member of the NEON16 management roster, which is led by Latin Grammy-winning producer and music executive Lex Borrero.
Awards and recognitions
[edit]In 2022, Díaz won an award for Top New Artist (Male) at the 2022 Premios Tu Música Urbano.[6]
At the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Díaz's album Sayonara was nominated for Best Urban Music Album, and he was nominated for Best Reggaeton Performance for his collaboration with Rauw Alejandro on "Byak."[7]
Discography
[edit]Albums and EPs
[edit]- Hato Rey (2015)
- San Juan Grand Prix (EP) (2016)
- Diaz Antes: La Ciudad de los Niños Tristes (EP) (2019)
- Diaz Antes (2020)
- Felicilandia (2021)
- Sayonara (2024)
- Sayonara: Finales Alternos (2024)
Singles
[edit]- "West Side" (2017)
- "Asiento de Atrás" (2017)
References
[edit]- ^ "Álvaro Díaz: "No descarto dejar la música por la fe como Daddy Yankee, mi mamá siempre dice que voy a ser pastor"". El Mundo (in Spanish). 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b Roiz, Jessica (2020-10-29). "Latin Artist on the Rise: How Quarantine Helped Alvaro Diaz Land His Dream Collaboration With Yandel". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e "Álvaro Díaz Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mo..." AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "On 'Sayonara,' Álvaro Díaz Embraces The Sadness Of Love Lost | GRAMMY.com". Grammy. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ Alvarez, Rosy (2024-07-20). "Álvaro Díaz Is Facing His Biggest Moment Yet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "Conoce a todos los ganadores de los Premios Tu Música Urbano 2022". TELEMUNDO.com (in Spanish). 2022-06-24. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ Ratner-Arias, Sigal (2024-09-17). "Edgar Barrera Tops 2024 Latin Grammys Nominees: Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-27.