October 19th, 2009
TrueExclusives got a chance to go one on one with Anthony “Romeo” Santos (of Aventura) and ask some questions regarding his career, woman and lots more in this exclusive Q&A…Check it out!
TE: What makes this album any different from your previous albums?
Besides the whole controversy of this being the last album.
Besides the whole controversy of this being the last album.
Romeo:
“THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT AFTER 5 PRODUCTIONS, I THINK I ALREADY KNOW
WHAT PEOPLE WOULD AND WOULDN’T LIKE IN OUR MUSIC. OF COURSE I TRY NEW
THINGS IN “THE LAST”; BUT LIKE I SAID THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BEFORE WE
WERE EXPERIMENTING AND TESTING PEOPLES’ TASTE ESPECIALLY WITH OUR
FIRST 3 ALBUMS. NOW I FEEL CONFIDENT, AND TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE WITH
DIFFERENT TYPES OF RHYTHMS AND TOPICS. “THE LAST” IS AVENTURA’S MOST
COMPLETE ALBUM YET.”
WHAT PEOPLE WOULD AND WOULDN’T LIKE IN OUR MUSIC. OF COURSE I TRY NEW
THINGS IN “THE LAST”; BUT LIKE I SAID THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT BEFORE WE
WERE EXPERIMENTING AND TESTING PEOPLES’ TASTE ESPECIALLY WITH OUR
FIRST 3 ALBUMS. NOW I FEEL CONFIDENT, AND TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE WITH
DIFFERENT TYPES OF RHYTHMS AND TOPICS. “THE LAST” IS AVENTURA’S MOST
COMPLETE ALBUM YET.”
TE: We have notice that the song titles on this album are a bit more
intimate than your other albums? What is the concept of the album?
intimate than your other albums? What is the concept of the album?
Romeo:
“REALLY? THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I’VE HEARD THAT. L.O.L WELL,
HONESTLY SPEAKING I NEVER THINK OF THE TITLE FIRST. I JUST WRITE, AND
THEN I NAME THE SONGS WITH A COMMERCIAL-SOUNDING TITLE; IT’S THE
EASIEST PART. THE CONCEPT OF “THE LAST” IS LIKE EVERY OTHER AVENTURA
ALBUM -AMOR, DESAMOR, LOVE SITUATIONS, AND THERE IS ALWAYS ONE SONG
THAT TALKS ABOUT A SOCIAL TOPIC. IN THIS ALBUM WE HAVE “SU VIDA”.
THE CONCEPT WITH THE COVER
WAS TO SHOW THAT WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM SOMETHING . LIKE I’VE SAID
IN OTHER INTERVIEWS, WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM 95% BACHATA ALBUMS. I
FEEL WE HAVE POTENTIAL TO DO OTHER TYPES OF GENRES THAT OUR FANS WILL
ALSO LOVE. BUT DON’T THINK THIS MEANS WE DON’T WANNA DO BACHATA ANY
MORE. IN OTHER WORDS OUR NEXT AVENTURA ALBUM WILL HAVE 10 BACHATAS,
BUT ALSO 8 OR 9 OTHER STYLES WHICH WILL BE 18 TRACKS. IF YOU GUYS
DON’T LIKE THE NEW STUFF, YOU CAN STILL ENJOY OUR BACHATAS AND NOT SAY
THE ALBUM SUCKS.L.O.L”
HONESTLY SPEAKING I NEVER THINK OF THE TITLE FIRST. I JUST WRITE, AND
THEN I NAME THE SONGS WITH A COMMERCIAL-SOUNDING TITLE; IT’S THE
EASIEST PART. THE CONCEPT OF “THE LAST” IS LIKE EVERY OTHER AVENTURA
ALBUM -AMOR, DESAMOR, LOVE SITUATIONS, AND THERE IS ALWAYS ONE SONG
THAT TALKS ABOUT A SOCIAL TOPIC. IN THIS ALBUM WE HAVE “SU VIDA”.
THE CONCEPT WITH THE COVER
WAS TO SHOW THAT WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM SOMETHING . LIKE I’VE SAID
IN OTHER INTERVIEWS, WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM 95% BACHATA ALBUMS. I
FEEL WE HAVE POTENTIAL TO DO OTHER TYPES OF GENRES THAT OUR FANS WILL
ALSO LOVE. BUT DON’T THINK THIS MEANS WE DON’T WANNA DO BACHATA ANY
MORE. IN OTHER WORDS OUR NEXT AVENTURA ALBUM WILL HAVE 10 BACHATAS,
BUT ALSO 8 OR 9 OTHER STYLES WHICH WILL BE 18 TRACKS. IF YOU GUYS
DON’T LIKE THE NEW STUFF, YOU CAN STILL ENJOY OUR BACHATAS AND NOT SAY
THE ALBUM SUCKS.L.O.L”
TE: On the album you have a song called Spanish fly, are you guys
thinking of crossing over?
Romeo:
“WELL, I HAVE MY OWN DEFINITION OF CROSS OVER. I THINK WHEN AN
ARTIST IS ABLE TO RECORD A SONG IN ENGLISH ,OR SPANGLISH, HE OR SHE
ALREADY MADE A CROSSOVER . BUT I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
YES, I WOULD LIKE TO DO A REAL INDUSTRY CROSSOVER. HOWEVER, I FEEL I
HAVE MORE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE SPANISH LANGUAGE MARKET. LATER I’LL
THINK OF ANGLOS.”
ARTIST IS ABLE TO RECORD A SONG IN ENGLISH ,OR SPANGLISH, HE OR SHE
ALREADY MADE A CROSSOVER . BUT I CLEARLY UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
YES, I WOULD LIKE TO DO A REAL INDUSTRY CROSSOVER. HOWEVER, I FEEL I
HAVE MORE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE SPANISH LANGUAGE MARKET. LATER I’LL
THINK OF ANGLOS.”
TE: What are the positives and negatives of being famous?
Romeo:
“L.O.L. GREAT QUESTION. IF YOU’RE AN ARTIST THAT THINKS LIKE ME
THERE ARE A FEW NEGATIVES. THE FIRST IS THAT I CHOSE THIS CARRER AND
NOT MY FAMILY, AND CERTAIN MEDIA FOLKS TEND TO MESS WITH YOUR LOVED
ONES TO GET RATINGS OR MAKE NEWS. THEIR NEGATIVE COMMENTS HURT MY
MOTHER AND SON MORE THAN THEY HURT ME. THE WORST PART IS THAT MOST OF
THE RUMORS THEY SPREAD ARE AWFUL LIES. I HAVE FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY
THAT HAVE BEEN VICTIMS. ANOTHER NEGATIVE IS YOU ARE NO LONGER NORMAL
TO MOST PEOPLE. SO YOU CAN’T DO NORMAL THINGS LIKE BEFORE. I HAD TO
GET MY OWN BARBER TO GIVE ME A HAIRCUT IN MY HOME BECAUSE EVERY TIME I
WENT TO
THE BARBER SHOP, THEY WOULD TAKE PICS OF ME WITH ONE SIDEBURN. L.O.L
I ALWAYS TRY TO DO NORMAL THINGS WITH MY SON. BUT HE HATES IT WHEN
EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING ME FOR PICS AND AUTOGRAPHS WHEN ITS “DADDY SON
DAY.” THE POSITIVE IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING FROM WHAT YOU LOVE
DOING – WHICH IS MUSIC.”
THERE ARE A FEW NEGATIVES. THE FIRST IS THAT I CHOSE THIS CARRER AND
NOT MY FAMILY, AND CERTAIN MEDIA FOLKS TEND TO MESS WITH YOUR LOVED
ONES TO GET RATINGS OR MAKE NEWS. THEIR NEGATIVE COMMENTS HURT MY
MOTHER AND SON MORE THAN THEY HURT ME. THE WORST PART IS THAT MOST OF
THE RUMORS THEY SPREAD ARE AWFUL LIES. I HAVE FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY
THAT HAVE BEEN VICTIMS. ANOTHER NEGATIVE IS YOU ARE NO LONGER NORMAL
TO MOST PEOPLE. SO YOU CAN’T DO NORMAL THINGS LIKE BEFORE. I HAD TO
GET MY OWN BARBER TO GIVE ME A HAIRCUT IN MY HOME BECAUSE EVERY TIME I
WENT TO
THE BARBER SHOP, THEY WOULD TAKE PICS OF ME WITH ONE SIDEBURN. L.O.L
I ALWAYS TRY TO DO NORMAL THINGS WITH MY SON. BUT HE HATES IT WHEN
EVERYONE KEEPS ASKING ME FOR PICS AND AUTOGRAPHS WHEN ITS “DADDY SON
DAY.” THE POSITIVE IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING FROM WHAT YOU LOVE
DOING – WHICH IS MUSIC.”
TE: Are you satisfied with your success so far? What are the things
you guys see yourself doing in the next 5 to 10 years?
you guys see yourself doing in the next 5 to 10 years?
Romeo:
“HONESTLY, NO I AM NOT SATISFIED. I’M HAPPY AND THANKFUL TO ALL MY
FANS, BUT FEEL I HAVE SO MUCH MORE LEFT TO DO. I HAVE A PROBLEM – I’M
A PERFECTIONIST. YOU COULD ASK ME THIS 10 YEARS FROM NOW AND I WOULD
PROBABLY STILL BE UNSATISFIED. I ALWAYS WANNA DO THINGS BETTER THAN
WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR – BREAK MY OWN RECORDS AND OUTDO MYSELF. NOT TO
MENTION, I AM MY OWN WORST CRITIC. IN 10 YEARS I WOULD LOVE TO STILL
BE INVOLVED WITH MUSIC, PRODUCING, AND MAYBE EVEN ACTING.”
FANS, BUT FEEL I HAVE SO MUCH MORE LEFT TO DO. I HAVE A PROBLEM – I’M
A PERFECTIONIST. YOU COULD ASK ME THIS 10 YEARS FROM NOW AND I WOULD
PROBABLY STILL BE UNSATISFIED. I ALWAYS WANNA DO THINGS BETTER THAN
WHAT I’VE DONE SO FAR – BREAK MY OWN RECORDS AND OUTDO MYSELF. NOT TO
MENTION, I AM MY OWN WORST CRITIC. IN 10 YEARS I WOULD LOVE TO STILL
BE INVOLVED WITH MUSIC, PRODUCING, AND MAYBE EVEN ACTING.”
TE: When the lights, camera and fans are gone who are you guys? What
are your pet peeves?
are your pet peeves?
Romeo:
“I HAVE MY DAYS. WHAT YOU SEE ON STAGE IS PRETTY MUCH MY REAL
PERSONALITY. I AM CLOWN BUT I CAN BE SHY. HENRY AND I ARE HUGE MOVIE
FANS. I KEEP MY SELF BUSY WRITING AND GOING TO THE GYM. MIKEY IS
MORE LIKE THE FAMILY GUY, SO I AM SURE WHATEVER ACTIVITIES HE IS DOING
PROBABLY INVOLVE HIS WIFE AND KIDS. HENRY IS VERY INTO TECHNOLOGY AND
MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT HE HAS A TREMENDOUS SKILL IN DRAWING. IF
HE WANTED HE COULD MAKE A LIVING OFF THAT TOO.”
PERSONALITY. I AM CLOWN BUT I CAN BE SHY. HENRY AND I ARE HUGE MOVIE
FANS. I KEEP MY SELF BUSY WRITING AND GOING TO THE GYM. MIKEY IS
MORE LIKE THE FAMILY GUY, SO I AM SURE WHATEVER ACTIVITIES HE IS DOING
PROBABLY INVOLVE HIS WIFE AND KIDS. HENRY IS VERY INTO TECHNOLOGY AND
MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT HE HAS A TREMENDOUS SKILL IN DRAWING. IF
HE WANTED HE COULD MAKE A LIVING OFF THAT TOO.”
TE: What do you guys look for in a woman both physical and personal?
Romeo:
“I CAN ANSWER ONLY ON MY BEHALF BECAUSE I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT
THE GUYS LOOK FOR IN A WOMAN. I NEED A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR BECAUSE
LIKE I SAID, I’M A JOKESTER. SHE ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF
FASHION. IT TURNS ME OFF TO SEE A GIRL DRESSING HICK EVEN IF SHES
BEAUTIFUL. I DON’T HAVE TIME TO SHOW ANYONE HOW TO DRESS .L.O.L
PHYSICALLY I DON’T HAVE A SPECIFIC TYPE. ALL MY EX GIRLFRIENDS LOOK
TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER. WHAT I DO LIKE IN A WOMAN IS A
STRONG SEXUAL DRIVE, AND OF COURSE, A GOOD HEART.”
THE GUYS LOOK FOR IN A WOMAN. I NEED A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR BECAUSE
LIKE I SAID, I’M A JOKESTER. SHE ALSO NEEDS TO HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF
FASHION. IT TURNS ME OFF TO SEE A GIRL DRESSING HICK EVEN IF SHES
BEAUTIFUL. I DON’T HAVE TIME TO SHOW ANYONE HOW TO DRESS .L.O.L
PHYSICALLY I DON’T HAVE A SPECIFIC TYPE. ALL MY EX GIRLFRIENDS LOOK
TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER. WHAT I DO LIKE IN A WOMAN IS A
STRONG SEXUAL DRIVE, AND OF COURSE, A GOOD HEART.”
TE: Who is your favorite singer and why?
Romeo:
“I HAVE TOO MANY. ARE YOU READY? OLD SCHOOL FEMALE ARTISTS
=WHITNEY HOUSTON, LAURYN HILL, AND ROCIO DURCAL. THESE WOMEN COULD
SING ANYTHING AND GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS .
=WHITNEY HOUSTON, LAURYN HILL, AND ROCIO DURCAL. THESE WOMEN COULD
SING ANYTHING AND GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS .
NEW SCHOOL FEMALE ARTIST= BEYONCE – SHE’S THE MOST COMPLETE FEMALE
ARTIST OF THIS DECADE; VOICE, CHARISMA AND BEAUTY. OLD SCHOOL MALE
ARTIST=JULIO IGLESIAS. HE SHOWED ME THAT YOU DON’T NEED A STRONG ,
POWERFUL VOICE TO MAKE WOMEN MELT FOR YOU. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SWAGGER
AND SMOOTHNESS. HE’S THE TEACHER. CAMILO SEXTO – YOU WANNA MAKE LOVE?
THIS IS THE GUY TO PLAY. JUAN GABRIEL I BELIEVE THIS IS MEXICO’S BEST
COMPOSER. ANTHONY SANTOS=THIS WAS THE GUY THAT MADE ME WANNA DO
BACHATA. HIS FIRST 5 ALBUMS ARE CLASSICS. BIGGIE SMALLS = EVERYTHING
I KNOW ABOUT RAP I LEARNED WITH BIGGIE. I LOVED HIS LYRICS AND FLOW.
MAY HE R.I.P.NEW SCHOOL MALE ARTIST= MARC ANTHONY. I LOVE HIS VOICE,
CHARISMA, AND TASTE IN WOMEN. L.O.L JUAN LUIS GUERRA= I THINK HE’S
THE BEST DOMINICAN ARTIST, PERIOD. JAY Z AND EMINEM= MY 2 FAVORITE
RAPPERS. THESE GUYS HAVE DIVERSE LYRICAL AND FLOW SKILLS, I DON’T
KNOW WHO’S BETTER. WRITERS =MANUEL ALEJANDRO.THE BEST WRITER FROM
SPAIN. RICARDO ARJONA=LISTENING TO THIS GUY IS LIKE SCHOOL FOR US
WRITERS. OMAR ALFANNO=I LEARN ALOT FROM THIS GUY – SIMPLE WORDS
SOMETIMES MEAN MORE WHEN YOU USE THEM IN METAPHORS . ESTEFANO=THE BEST
COLOMBIAN WRITER OF THIS DECADE. I LEFT MICHAEL JACKSON FOR LAST
BECAUSE HE’S THE BEST IN EVERYTHING. HE’S STILL THE BEST ARTIST, THE
BEST DANCER, BEAUTIFUL VOICE, BEST ENTERTAINER, AND A GREAT
HUMANITARIAN.”
ARTIST OF THIS DECADE; VOICE, CHARISMA AND BEAUTY. OLD SCHOOL MALE
ARTIST=JULIO IGLESIAS. HE SHOWED ME THAT YOU DON’T NEED A STRONG ,
POWERFUL VOICE TO MAKE WOMEN MELT FOR YOU. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SWAGGER
AND SMOOTHNESS. HE’S THE TEACHER. CAMILO SEXTO – YOU WANNA MAKE LOVE?
THIS IS THE GUY TO PLAY. JUAN GABRIEL I BELIEVE THIS IS MEXICO’S BEST
COMPOSER. ANTHONY SANTOS=THIS WAS THE GUY THAT MADE ME WANNA DO
BACHATA. HIS FIRST 5 ALBUMS ARE CLASSICS. BIGGIE SMALLS = EVERYTHING
I KNOW ABOUT RAP I LEARNED WITH BIGGIE. I LOVED HIS LYRICS AND FLOW.
MAY HE R.I.P.NEW SCHOOL MALE ARTIST= MARC ANTHONY. I LOVE HIS VOICE,
CHARISMA, AND TASTE IN WOMEN. L.O.L JUAN LUIS GUERRA= I THINK HE’S
THE BEST DOMINICAN ARTIST, PERIOD. JAY Z AND EMINEM= MY 2 FAVORITE
RAPPERS. THESE GUYS HAVE DIVERSE LYRICAL AND FLOW SKILLS, I DON’T
KNOW WHO’S BETTER. WRITERS =MANUEL ALEJANDRO.THE BEST WRITER FROM
SPAIN. RICARDO ARJONA=LISTENING TO THIS GUY IS LIKE SCHOOL FOR US
WRITERS. OMAR ALFANNO=I LEARN ALOT FROM THIS GUY – SIMPLE WORDS
SOMETIMES MEAN MORE WHEN YOU USE THEM IN METAPHORS . ESTEFANO=THE BEST
COLOMBIAN WRITER OF THIS DECADE. I LEFT MICHAEL JACKSON FOR LAST
BECAUSE HE’S THE BEST IN EVERYTHING. HE’S STILL THE BEST ARTIST, THE
BEST DANCER, BEAUTIFUL VOICE, BEST ENTERTAINER, AND A GREAT
HUMANITARIAN.”
TE: If you could spent the day with a diseased public figure who
would it be and why?
Romeo:
“I DON’T KNOW. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY WITH ONE OF THE WRITERS I
IDOLIZE, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE MANY THINGS IN COMMON.”
IDOLIZE, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE MANY THINGS IN COMMON.”
TE: After a decade in the music industry, as you sit and
reflect back on everything you being thorough was it all worth it? Or
do you have any regrets?
Romeo:
“EVERYTHING IS WORTH IT. IF THERE’S ANYTHING THAT I’VE REGRETTED
AFTERWORDS I REALIZE THAT YOU LIVE AND LEARN, AND THAT THINGS HAPPEN
FOR A REASON – EVEN BAD THINGS.”
AFTERWORDS I REALIZE THAT YOU LIVE AND LEARN, AND THAT THINGS HAPPEN
FOR A REASON – EVEN BAD THINGS.”
19 Comments
very good and interesting interview.
great interview, i luv him so humble
Anthony, Mmmm ,Mmmm Good.
Much luv.. N 10-Q. 4 repin Latinos
All da way.. See ya in Vegas & NYC.
WOW, that was very interesting! LOVE YOU Tony
All your music is AMAZING & I know that we will all love whatever genre you compose!!! XOXOXO God Bless
OMg Romeo..me encanto tu forma de expresarte, tus palabras y tus pensamientos en esta entrevista…los quiero mucho..gracias por ser parte de mi vida y mi corazon…porq ustedes ocupan un lugar en mi corazon…gracias por escribir canciones no solo de amor o desamores pero tambien de temas sociales…Son y seran siempre los mejores artistas de la decada…Les Deseo micha suerte a todos ustedes..a ti, henry.yeah somos sagitarious thats right..my b-day on Dec.17…a mikey and Leny..Desafortunadamente no podre ir a su concierto en Dec 15 2009 at Staples Center..:( Pero espero que esten en concierto aqui in LA otra vez…me quede con ganas de ir a su autograph signing ya did in June and i’ll stay without the LAst concert which would have been the greatest birthday gift of my life…Los Quiero MUcho…Peace..2009..1# Aventura Loveer!!!!!!!!!
First I will like to thank TrueExclusives for bring us, the readers, this great interview with one of the most amazing guy in the music industry. I love ROmeo’s work and I fall in love everyday more and more with his personality. A lot of people mistake his shyness and need of privacy with arrogance but if only they knew him or at least took the time to read between his lines, a lot of the judgement and criticism would stop. Some people say Romeo is conceited and that fame has gone to his head, but if only people would shutup and listen; they will hear his cry for simplicity and normal ; like a day out in the park with his son or a haircut in his old neighborhood’s babershop as he so many times had mentioned in his interviews. My admiration for him grows as I read this interview, just thinking about where he came from, what he has accomplished, and the success ahead fills my heart with pride. I am extremely proud of him, he is a Dominican/Puerto Rican kid who made it out of the hood; Our hood. I love you Anthony ROmeo Santos and I am so proud of calling myself your fan.
lol. now they want 2 b his frd.. talk about using ppl 4 fame.
i really thought that this interview was really interesting and very upfront .. u said what was on your mind and didn’t hold back.
My question for him/Aventura….your fanbase is probably 50/50 mexican/domincan…why has’nt Aventura toured much/any of Mexico?
In regards to “Anonymous”, We don’t need to “use” anyone for “fame”. We have clearly acquired our own following of supporters, or else Romeo would not have done the interview. Thanks for leaving a comment though!
Hola baby you found me! lol Im everything your looking for* Love the interview good job y mucho amor para este lindo hombre = )_________
BBBBBBBEEEEEEAAAAAAATTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZ
AGUALLO*
ROMEO YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN EVERYTHIN YOU DO AND WOW YOU COULD TALK AND YOU SAID YOU WERE WAT? SHY LOL I LUV EVERYTHIN YOU GUY’Z ARE ABOU KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SE LES QUIERE DE GRATIZZ LOLZ
LUV CYNTHIA
WOW SO GLAD YOU GUY’Z MADE THIS INTERVIEW WITH ROMEO HE IS DAT BEST AND
HE NEVR TALKED THIS MUCH IN OTHER INTERVIEW’Z LIKE HE DID IN THIS ONE SO
GR8 JOB IT WAS EXTREMELY INTERESTING YOU GUY’Z ARE DAT BEST MUCH LUV
i was actually surprised u didn’t go into his diva ways y su amiguita..
loved the interview though
romeo my name is starlin. i wana do just wat u in henry max lenny did i wana be a bachata singer i write songs am trying to get a group just like u guys did. help me out bro. one of this day am see u when am famous in say i was that kid who send u that message help me out just like anthont santos help u become wat u are now.
romeo is me agin starlin. my myspace emiL is starlinmontoto@yahoo.com look for me there
I LOVE AVENTURA BUT NEXT TIME ASK IF HE WOULD GO OUT WITH ONE OF HIS FANS
I LOVE YOU ROMEO Y I HOPE I AM UR LUCKY FAN THAT GETS A KISS FROM U IN THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN THE 21ST LOL I LOVE U AVENTURA DOMINICANS & PUERTO RICANS STAND UP
this interview sounds nothing like tony.