For example, we have seen him team up with Daddy Yankeeon an urban song, with Mana on a rock song and even with Gerardo Ortiz on a Regional Mexican song. And for his latest collab, the bachata singer jumped on what’s in today: Latin trap.
A week ago, Noriel, Royce and Bryant Myers released "No Love." The problem? The song has a very explicit tone, specifically in Myers' lyrics. And it surprised fans that a romantic guy like Royce is part of this type of song. "I know this genre is controversial and a lot of people are having feelings about it," he told Billboard.
The song’s video already has more than 17 million views on YouTube, with some critics considering it to be very offensive. Now, during a conversation with Billboard, Prince Royce explained why he is part of the controversial song.
What motivated you to be part of “No Love”?
I’m from New York, and growing up in the Bronx, I grew up listening to a lot of English hip-hop and trap music. I’m talking about Travis Scott and even like Future, so I’ve always been a fan of the genre. And I think that seeing how the Latin trap movement exploded online is really interesting that people in Latin music really want to listen to that type of music.
How do you see Latin trap? Do you think it's just a trend?
I don’t see Latin trap as just a trend. Now, with Spotify, Apple Music and streaming, people have easy access to this type of music. For example, five years ago, we use to listen to trap on the radio but not the Latin trap. I think that now people have access to a genre that they want, and they were able to discover Latin trap, R&B in Spanish and any type of music. And for me, as a songwriter, I have that flexibility to put out any type of music without thinking “Oh my God, radio is not going to play this.”
What do you think about people not liking this genre?
I know this genre is controversial and a lot of people are having feelings about it. I grew up listening to it, and it’s interesting to see a new wave of young artists representing this type of culture that the Latino community is not used to.
Are you worried that your image as an artist will be damaged because of the type of lyrics that the song “No Love” includes?
It’s a concern, but at the same time, for example, as an artist, I like to write about real-life situations, I like to tell stories. And a lot of my music represents love, but it’s also about heartbreak, and this song, it is a heartbreak song, and as an artist, I like to tell stories in a different way, and when you really look into this song, or when you look into Latin trap, in my view, it's another form of romance or telling a story. Yes, the lyrics might be explicit. And when I did this song, there was not any intent to disrespect anybody or disrespect women. If you really look into anything I ever say, I felt I’ve never disrespected anybody.
