Don
Omar was one of the more prominent Latin artists to
usher reggaeton into the mainstream U.S. market earlier
this decade.
Generating heavy mainstream airplay and record sales
with such crossover singles as “Dale Don Dale”
and “Dile” (Otra Noche), Don Omar soon
would draw audiences of all ethnicities and ages.
In 2005, thus far the height of reggaeton’s
U.S. popularity, Dom Omar joined such reggaeton stars
as Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderón, Voltio and
Ivy Queen for a sold out show at New York’s
famed Madison Square Garden on Thanksgiving Day.
But in recent years, as the music industry’s
overall sales declined, the flame of reggaeton has
cooled somewhat in the U.S., with radio station programmers
and club deejays citing the lack of new Latin artists
with crossover appeal as a cause.
Still, to Don Omar and other artists, who are as popular
as ever in Latin America and Europe, reggaeton is
just hitting its stride in the U.S. and abroad.
Don Omar says he’s hoping to lead reggaeton
in a different kind of movement that involves greater
partnership between Latin and American artists.
“It’s
time for Latin American and American musicians to
start a movement,” says Don Omar, who hails
from Puerto Rico, but moved to New York three years
ago to focus on several American projects. “It’s
time to unify.”
In a show of unity, Don Omar recently made a surprise
performance on the New York stop of this year’s
Hennessy Artistry Tour, which was headlined by Common
and The Roots.
“It’s
an appreciation of American and Latin music,”
Don Omar says of his attendance. “I’m
here to enjoy it.”
This year, Don Omar released his third U.S. studio
album “iDon”, which featured the edgy
“Virtual Diva”. He even expanded his reach
into films with a cameo in the fourth “Fast
& Furious” movie.
“I’m
trying to do my best,” he says. “I’m
going to put the Latin community on the top.”
