I'm not just selling out Yankee Stadium; I'm selling out stadiums in Mexico, in Argentina - with my bachata. I try to stay true to what I do.
— Romeo Santos
I just want people to know me.
There really isn't a formula for success.
My biggest tunes - 'Eres Mia,' 'Llevame Contigo,' 'Propuesta Indecente' - they aren't featuring anyone but me.
I make them all my girlfriends. I just express to each and every one of them every chance I get that I have millions of girlfriends, my fans.
I wanted to show people I'm like a modern Romeo. I'm romantic, but I can also be seductive. I can be cool and charismatic, swagger-type.
You can have the best product, but if you don't have a plan - a label pushing it, the support of a network - you can't make it big with a product. It's all about distribution.
Growing up, I was always trying to catch a great show. And that's where I learned an artist gets respect. That's what makes people talk.
I basically try to give people top quality.
I go on stage for hours, and I like to give it my all.
There's a misconception in my opinion... and it's that we Latinos have to go do an American album, an English album, an Anglo production, to cross over.
I was extremely shy. I am still shy, but I won't show it on stage.
I grew up in a neighborhood that had a lot of things to offer, good and bad.
When I was doing 'Formula Volume 1,' I had so many ideas that I knew one album was not going to be enough.
I know what it is to be out entertaining millions and yet wanting to be home because you miss your loved ones.
I will drink alcohol socially. That's really on the weekends.
Once an artist makes his personal life public, he can't close that door.
I have nothing against crossing over, but I don't need to change to cross over.
I joined the church choir because there were these two hot chicks. Then people started giving me compliments. 'You really have a good voice.' Really? I just joined the choir for these girls.
I'm very private, not the interview type.
My dad is Dominican, my mother's Puerto Rican, and I got into bachata at the age of 10 or 11. When I started listening, it had a reputation for being music for hick people. I thought that had to be changed. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and I knew you make something cool if you're cool.
My fans love me; they've made me this sex symbol. I don't feel I am, but they feel that way. They find me attractive, like I'm a sexy dude. I try my best to make them believe the illusion.
I believe that if each one of us have successful solo careers, it can only help the group's growth. It will allow the fans to see individual talent and make them appreciate us more. After all, we are in this for the long run and have every intention of returning with another album as Aventura.
If you think of any strange fusion with bachata, most likely, we've done it. It's bachata mixed with different elements. We don't follow any style.
If you ask me what's Aventura's forte, I'll obviously say its capacity to deliver hits.
I think that every song has to be like it could be the biggest hit of my album.
For me, it's always an organic process. I don't personally reach out to artists without the music being created first.
I think marriage can sometimes turn things into a business. It stops being about feelings.
I always had a passion for writing, but I always visualized other artist singing my lyrics, I never visualized myself.
I was born and raised in the Bronx, and growing up here, you would go down the block, and on one corner you would hear bachata, on another corner some salsa, and of course there was hip-hop and R&B all over the place. So for me, it is very organic to have these combinations.
Usher is so innovative - he's a great performer, a great entertainer.
I run in the West Side highway. I've gotten recognized, but unless you're a runner, you really can't do nothing but just point.
Boxing is a really difficult sport! So I don't want to tell you I wouldn't try it, but I guess everybody that does know about it, my friends, they tell me how difficult it is, and I'm like, 'Eh.'
I really just compete against myself. I look at my previous material and try to surpass what I've done.
In bachata, you had these guys that used to wear suits and had a really traditional style. We looked different. Baggy jeans. We had the Spanglish going on, and I knew that was going to work to our advantage.
The way Aventura became successful was so weird. We didn't have a major label. They say everything has a reason, but it's not easy to find. The only thing that was right was the music.
That's my goal: to get the world to know who Romeo Santos is. His music. My music. Even if they don't like it, I want them to know who I am.
If I'm performing in the United States, I'm able to speak Spanglish, and the crowd comprehends. If I'm in the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, then I'm completely Spanish. I feel like a New Yorker that represents all Latinos.
This Romeo character is something I decided to create, like my alter ego. So the name Romeo was invented from the original Romeo and Juliet. I wanted to show people I'm like a modern Romeo.
Many artists would want a major label. But, if someone made you big, it doesn't mean they're no longer good enough when you get big. If you want to add, add. But don't get rid of your original team.
I think marriage works for some people, but I just don't think it could work for me. I don't see it.
I feel like the best relationships I've been in are those where things were more laid-back.
When I get on the stage, I try to connect with the fans and offer them the best of the best. I want them to see it as a music journey.
I create the music, and if this artist could complement this record, I reach out.
I don't know if I believe in marriage - I believe in love.
I started singing one day along with my cousin, and I didn't take it too seriously. The people started telling me, 'Hey, you have a nice voice.' and I was like, 'Really?'
I grew up listening to bachata, to some of the greats of the genre. But it was very natural for me to create this type of fusion and to incorporate new beats.
When I was producing 'Formula Vol. 2,' I knew I needed to come hard with the features and do something I hadn't done with Aventura. Collaborating with Drake was definitely one of those big steps that helped bachata go to the next level.
My first meal when I wake up is five boiled eggs, egg whites, and a slice of whole wheat bread.
My love life is good, and I feel like part of what's made it good is not talking about it.
