I'm really, really grateful. I don't take anything for granted.
— Romeo Santos
When I sing, I try to communicate certain emotions, and that's the voice that comes out.
I'm a huge salsa fan. I actually have a salsa on my album, 'Formula Vol. 2,' featuring Marc Anthony.
I love not only the chubby ones, but also the skinny ones, black hair, the blondes... when I get up the stage, I give myself completely.
My mother at a young age put me in bilingual, so my strength is really more in Spanish. Even though I live and I was born and raised in the States, you know, in the Bronx, in Spanish I get my point across. And when I'm writing music, when I'm doing music, it's easier for me, and I know exactly how to express myself.
I always had this fascination with superheroes. Who didn't love Hulk and Spider-Man?
You see a lot of talented people, but you usually don't see talented people who, behind the scenes, know how to conduct themselves on a higher level.
I feel like, as an artist and a songwriter, I have to reach certain audiences and give people a little bit of everything.
I don't like my voice, and I don't enjoy my singing voice; I do what I do to bring pleasure and diversion to the fans.
I would always talk with my friends in English and Spanglish, but it was more like slang. It was more like, 'Yo, what's up, dog?' But in Spanish, I know what's proper, and what's ghetto. I know the difference.
If you put out quality music, you're always going to be in a good place.
I always want people to expect the unexpected, to hear me in records that have nothing to do with bachata. 'Golden' is the golden opportunity for them to appreciate me on other records.
When I begin working on a production, I don't really think about my previous album or albums. I try to have a real creative process.
You could be the most beautiful girl, but if you're stuck up, that doesn't do it for me.
I'm always onstage, and everyone there already loves me, so I go with this certain confidence.
I've got a superstar like Usher singing bachata, a tune featuring Lil Wayne. I'm offering people more than just bachata. That captures a new audience that would listen to bachata because Usher is singing.
I don't do nothing to disrespect the fans.
I don't like planning what am I gonna say to the crowd. Sometimes the show takes a whole different twist.
Every time I'm preparing a new production, I'm trying to reinvent my style and offer the audience several choices.
I grew up in my neighborhood with salsa, of course bachata, but also hip-hop, Nirvana - it was just like a mixed culture. It was a beautiful thing for me because at the moment I started creating music, having all these different sounds and elements, it was very organic because I grew up with all these types different music.
I feel the first award any artist can have is his audience.
'Despacito' is phenomenal; you can't really chase that type of success. I'm a huge fan of the record, the original, and then when the remix came out, I said, 'Oh my God, it just got greater!'
I'm not taking for granted being managed by Roc Nation. They have a lot of relations, and they have a reach that I clearly could benefit from.
I've always idolized Jay-Z He's one of my favorite persons, even before I knew him personally.
I come from the Bronx, so I was exposed to every type of music you can think of.
I don't enjoy hearing myself talk.
One day, my father brings a cassette. He's showing me this, and he's like, 'Look at this guy, his name is Anthony Santos, like you.' I popped it on and started hearing the songs, the music, and I was like, 'Wow, this sounds great.'
When Aventura began, there was a lot of salsa and merengue, and we said, 'Let's just do what we do.' Then Aventura blew up, but urban was in its prime.
I do proclaim myself king of bachata because I have to represent my genre. I have to always come out and put on the Superman cape. I'm pretty much representing my culture. I'm not going to change that. But I definitely don't want there to be a misconception where people are like, 'The only thing he likes to do is bachata.'
I like a girl that keeps me in love and keeps me entertained.
I definitely need a girl that has a good sense of humor because there are some girls that are just very uptight.
What happened with reggaeton is that many artists kept recycling the same sound. But there are a lot of reggaeton artists that are still in their prime - like Daddy Yankee - because they've chosen to continue growing, to offer people more than just reggaeton. That's where I learned to always be able to try something new and not be afraid.
I want to sell music. That's all I'm interested in selling.
I'm reaching a huge audience. I'm doing what artists like Beyonce are doing in terms of selling out stadiums. The difference is my audience speaks Spanish.
I love performing in New York. Just something about the energy that the crowd gives you, you give it back, a lot of interaction.
People know me for my work with Aventura, and for that, I am grateful.
When I get on stage, I try to win my pay: to please and that people leave satisfied... being seductive has given me good results.
English is my first language, but musically speaking, I write my music in Spanish.
This song 'All Aboard,' that tune allowed me to expand and kind of offer my audience something totally different because it's not bachata - I'm singing English, and that was really fun.
I think you have a crossover when you are known to a wider audience and a different market. I've been able to sell out stadiums all over the world by doing my music. I'm lucky to be in that list without having done an official crossover. Now, will you hear me doing a little bit of R&B? Sure.
I like my music to be like a buffet. If you don't like this plate, there's another one for you.
I've always loved acting, and I do respect the craft.
When we started Aventura, I think a lot of - the reason why we became so successful besides, you know, doing good music, was also the fact that it was unique and different and never done.
I need to eat every three hours - it keeps my metabolism going so I stay at a certain weight.
You have to be confident about the product you're putting out. It's just like when a boxer is promoting a fight. You can't go out there and be like, 'This guy might beat me.'
When you have Julio Iglesias on a song, I think that's golden.
We have a really cool relationship because I talk to my son like he's my little homie. I try to be the cool dad, like, 'What's up? How many girls you have?'
I think people look at me different when they see I'm dressed well. They pay attention. They know I'm about something.
I've learned that you can do something great, but you have to continue reinventing yourself as an artist. So by the time someone else is copying your style, you have something else to offer your audience.
I've been so private. That's part of the reason they've said, 'Is Romeo gay?' No. I just don't want to show you my girl - if I got a girl.
