Jennifer Lopez is one of the biggest superstars on the planet, conquering media formats from music, television to film. Lopez does all of this while also being one of POP music’s top dance performers, she’s one of the few divas giving us choreography to stan over time after time.
The triple-threat recently launched her Spanish single “El Anillo” which has already racked up over 80million plays on YouTube alone!
What’s the story behind the single? I chatted with rising producer DalePlay who produced and co-wrote the hit for Lopez to learn more about what went into the making of “El Anillo.”
How did you get your start in the music business?
It’s funny because I started as a rapper in a duo, back when I was 16, I’m 23 now. At that moment I was full of different emotions, as I had just moved to America from Venezuela. When I moved, things weren’t that great economically and emotionally in my home country and my family and I were hoping for a positive change.
I just remember being on the school bus and I was listening to a song from a Latin rapper called “Arcangel,” I forgot the name of the song but there was one line in the song that REALLY spoke to me at that exact moment, and it was something about him being able to provide for his family with music, the exact line was cooler than that, but the sentiment was the same jaja. Once that clicked, I immediately turned around and told my friend, DJ Happy Colors, “Bro, let’s start a duo as a rapper. I’m Venezolano, so I should know how to sing, and you’re Dominicano, so you should know how to rap,” and he was like “ok let’s do it”, and that’s how it all started.
How did the song with Jlo come to be?
Sony Music Latin’s Team (Alejandro Regalo and Chiky) called me on a Thursday to tell me that they needed me in the studio the next day to compose for JLo, as she was coming for a meeting to hopefully pick her next single the following Friday. The night before my session I was listening to EVERY hit she has had in the past because I was trying to figure out what she hasn’t done musically. Since I’ve been a Brazilian Funk fan for the past year, I was like, “Okay, I know exactly what I can do for her.” The next day (Friday), I go to the studio with Oscarcito, Edgar “The Edge” Barrera and Andres Castro to work on the song and Sony called us right before we started to tell us, “She’s actually coming Monday now, we need a HIT by Monday guys, no pressure.”
I brought up the Brazilian Funk idea to the guys and they loved it, but we had a great in because Oscarcito knew JLO already and had her phone number. He sent her a text asking her if she liked Brazilian Funk, she said “yes.” Then, the guys came up with the idea of the song being about “El Anillo Pa’ Cuando” which loosely means “when is the ring coming?” when translated. Oscarcito asked her if she was ok with that title and she responded saying “Omg, I don’t know, but you guys do whatever you guys would like, surprise me.” So we just made the song, it was quick, about an hour, while I was producing, the guys were writing, then we just went back and forth and that’s how the song came to be.
What was it like working with JLo?
AMAZING, I mean I can’t really just say more than that. Her team is amazing, she’s amazing, she’s such a hard worker, I don’t even think people get to see that side. She was literally working the whole day on a Sunday, getting her kids, then hitting the studio, then rehearsals along with bunch of other stuff she was doing. This was every day while I was there working with her. She’s truly someone to look up to.
What do you think is the next trend in the Latin and pop music world?
For sure Brazilian Funk, I think this push from JLo is really going to get that sound out there on a whole new level, not to say Brazilian Funk isn’t big already cause it’s huge in Latin America, but I’m talking worldwide now.
What’s next for you?
Keep figuring out how life works man, plus my album is coming as well. So that’s another life I have to figure out. I am working on a project as a DJ, with top features in both English and Spanish. More to come on that in my next interview with you ;).
What advice would you give to aspiring and songwriters and producers who are trying to get their music heard?
Don’t try to go for what is obvious because that’s obvious.
If you could collaborate with anyone on your next single, who would it be and why?
Pharrell and Kanye.
What your favorite pop song of the moment (besides El Anillo)?
“El Anillo,” I’m a fan, haha.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Definitely Pharrell, Noah 40 Shebib, Arctic Monkeys, Stromae and Daft Punk.