The Deal: El Jefe of the reggaeton movement returns with first new album since 2004’s platinum El Barrio Fino.
The Good: Daddy Yankee hit it huge a few years back with “Gasolina,” but he and the reggaeton movement faded out over the last three years. Now, he’s back to re-establish the genre’s place on the music landscape. Akon is featured on “Bring it on,” a half-English track aimed at thug life in Puerto Rico, with lyrics like “Fuck my English and my broken Spanish / The sound of a gun is a universal language.” He also features Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger on “Papi Lover,” Will.i.am on “Plane to P.R.” and Fergie on “Impacto Remix.” Will.i.am can funkify just about anything he’s involved with — the lyrics are weak, but expect this one as a single at some point soon.
The Bad: The album’s a nice step back into the limelight, but you have to wonder if it will fade away. The guest spots freshen things up and the beats keep it moving, but it gets a little repetitive at times.
The Verdict: It’s a solid effort, but halfway through the 21-track album, the songs start to sound the same. There’s a fine line between consistency and monotony.
This article appears in Jul 4-10, 2007.
