Music Scene with Luis Vazquez

Special for elboricua.com

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EL BLING BLINEO 2007
* Photos by Marlene Vazquez

The key event for a genre in the largest media market left something to be desired. El Bling Blineo 2007 lacked something. It wasn’t the talent on display or even the production. The artist’s performances were excellent but nothing stood out. If you were an outsider viewing this performance to measure the current state of Reggaeton, you could feel the passion but more importantly you would view the empty seats around Shea Stadium.

This would be an indication of why La Kalle has started to tinker with it’s format to a more varied style somewhat abandoning it’s pure street oriented music style which many feel has been played out. Now don’t get me wrong. This show was as entertaining as one would expect from some of the elite talent in this genre.

The absence of Daddy Yankee, one night before the event, robbed the event of its most marketable name performer. However even though the roster of talent for this show was not as packed numbers-wise, the depth of quality was still here as Tito El Bambino, Wisin and Yandel, and Don Omar displayed the reasons why they have risen to the upper echelons of this business. Even the late no-show of Calle 13, three-time Latin Grammy winners, failed to dull the enthusiasm of this crowd.

Some young veteran artists stepped up to the plate to announce their arrival on the big stage. Notch, for example, who brought his multi-dimensional skills to play. He got the party started in fine fashion. However, it was Torito, the former lead singer of Los Toros Band, who got the first ovations by playing the part of the crooner well with his pleading voice and basic showmanship which stole all the ladies hearts. Jowell and Randy laid it out with hits like “No Te Veo”. This duo is the latest talent to pay their dues over the past few years and is now cashing in.

The sight of Mexican host, Pacha rolling around on the Shea Stadium infield was quite significant. His appearance was the greatest evidence of the changes at La Kalle’s station this past year. In attempts to keep up with their rivals they have balanced their play list with more mainstream Spanish music. Pacha represents the growing Mexican influence in the U.S particularly in New York City.

The explosive clean- up hitters started to arrive as Tito El Bambino blew past any shadow his former partner Hector El father cast with a phenomenal year of hits as he fulfilled the potential many felt was always his to capture. Hector didn’t do badly as he incorporated a large number of dancers to window dress his act. He soon got the ultimate complementary player to add some spice as Yomo joined “The Father”.

The radio hosts of La Kalle entertained during many long lulls in the action. This was probably the only major glitch during the evening, which lengthened things a bit. However between DJ Kassanova, Stef La Kallejera, and Lisa Rodriquez along with DJ Neko , Enrique and Joe, kept things moving until the arrival of Wisin and Yandel.

This duo has only exceeded their popularity with their new album “Los Vaqueros”. They are in demand overseas as well as in the United States. Their stage presence as well as duel ability to rap and sing equally well made for the second large impact of the night. During the playing of Rakata, one could feel the rails vibrating inside the concession stands.

Then the evening had a change of pace as Victor Manuelle, who showed that a young Salsa singer could melt the crowds every time. As he prodded the ladies to finish a chorus, the crescendo of unified voices confirmed that Victor was not out of place in the Shea night.

Finally the King of Kings arrived. Don Omar took the lead mantle. Dressed in black sweater with a dragon emblem, the mightily slimmed down Don took the main event status performed with his unique ability to both sing known songs with a different touch as well as belt out his recent hits. He was even joined by Wisin and Yandel as they sang “My Space”.

All in all it was an entertaining evening but historically nothing more. The genre known as Reggaeton is searching for its next outlet to ride. However with promising new acts and an evolution in style has given us a hint of what the future of Latin Hip-Hop will look like for the balance of 2007. It will also give a clue to it’s survival.