El Cantante
CRIMEAPPLE
2023
El Cantante by CRIMEAPPLE serves as an ode to Hector Lavoe and The Fania Era of salsa music’s profound storytelling.
Hector Lavoe was a Puerto Rican salsa singer and one of the pioneers of the Fania Era, a golden age of salsa music that spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Lavoe, known as “El Cantante” (The Singer), rose to fame as the lead vocalist for the Fania All-Stars, a musical ensemble created by the Fania record label.
The Fania Era was characterized by a fusion of various musical styles, including Cuban, Puerto Rican, and African rhythms, giving birth to the genre of salsa. Lavoe’s storytelling through his music was profound and deeply emotional. His songs often depicted the struggles, joys, and complexities of urban life, particularly in New York City, where many Latinos had migrated seeking a better life.
All in all, El Cantante is a self-realization of sorts as New Jersey emcee CRIMEAPPLE shares his current life perspectives as he touches on what it’s like to be considered a hip-hop legend by many, while also reflecting on the path that brought him to this point in his career.
Stand-Out Tracks
719
Out The Way
Encore
