Latin Artist at the Upward push

The 2024 Latin Grammys introduced in combination a memorable efficiency that meshed conventional salsa with the brand new era’s taste — some of the star-studded lineup that incorporated a Marc Anthony and Los angeles India reunion used to be Christian Alicea. The lattermost used to be additionally a first-time nominee for perfect salsa album.   

“When you are making track you don’t take into accounts successful an award. For my first album, I occupied with discovering my sound and who Christian Alicea used to be,” he tells Billboard of his Yo Deluxe set. “A Grammy is a function for any artist. Being nominated fills me with satisfaction as a result of this highway is a curler coaster and also you at all times wish to give your perfect.”

Alicea kicked off his track occupation in 2019, first trying out the waters in city track and later going full-blown into salsa track. 

“My father and two brothers are musicians,” he explains. “My first musical inspirations have at all times been very tropical: Elvis Crespo, Hector Lavoe, Toño Rosario, Marc Anthony, Los angeles India, Juan Luis Guerra, Carlos Vives, Romeo Santos. I grew up with that hybrid of tropical track.”

After going viral on social media together with his personal model of Pedro Capó’s “Calma,” the Puerto Rican artist debuted at the Billboard charts in 2022 with “Cobarde” coming into the Tropical Airplay chart in March. He’s since positioned seven titles together with “Es Un Secreto” with DJ Buddha, which peaked at No. 6 and in addition landed at the Latin Airplay chart in September. 

However previous to turning into a step forward artist, Alicea devoted himself to saving lives as a firefighter at the island. 

“It used to be a public provider,” he notes. “In track, we additionally owe it to the general public and paintings for them each day. As a firefighter I used to be a part of a musical band, and I at all times attempt to give the most efficient display, the most efficient paintings in track. The sacrifices. Firefighters don’t have a hard and fast agenda. Again and again I overlooked my mom’s birthday, I couldn’t proportion with my circle of relatives on vital dates, and track is similar. I’ve to do my phase for my folks.” 

As he welcomes 2025 full of new objectives and tasks, Alicea is happy for the way forward for salsa track. 

“Being Boricua influences many stuff: how we have been raised, how we keep up a correspondence, the track we concentrate to — due to track, our Boricua colour has been known as an excessively cultural factor. In the meantime, salsa will at all times constitute us as Latinos, and I’m contributing to creating gorgeous issues occur with the style.”

Beneath, be told extra about this month’s Latin Artist at the Upward push:

Title: Christian Alicea

Age: 28

Beneficial Tune: “‘En PR’ — It’s the primary track that I dare to create. It talks about my loved island, the tradition, my buddies, the dangerous scenarios however we stay shifting ahead.”

Primary Accomplishment: “Agree with 100% that I will be able to do it. Many people have insecurities, however thank God for giving me the ability to dare. I’ve a workforce that took dangers with me and I feel that has been the best fulfillment, having self belief in myself.”

What’s Subsequent: “Hit the level! What I maximum need is so as to proceed acting in several nations. Extra collaborations and extra track. The Latin Grammy nomination made me even hungrier to proceed rising and studying.”