Elvis Crespo Looks Back on 20 Years of “Suavemente”
Initially released in 1998, “Suavemente,” the sultry lead single off the self-titled debut album of Elvis Crespo, was expected to perform well, but no one imagined it would become a timeless tropical anthem that would spawn multiple versions, cross over into other markets and revolutionize merengue music.
A little over two decades later, however, the buzzing momentum caused by Crespo’s signature single – now a Latin music staple – only continues to build. Crespo has gone on to forge an enviable career, releasing ten more acclaimed albums and collecting numerous Premios Lo Nuestro, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY awards along the way. To commemorate the impact of his first, crucial hit, Crespo released Suavemente 20 Anniversary, earlier this year, revisiting the platinum album and that chart-ruling single.
BMI had the opportunity to sit down with Crespo and discuss his amazing journey, his creative process, the lessons he’s learned and the last-minute inclusion of a song that came to him in the shower that changed everything.
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