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The self-aggrandizing title and cover art may indicate otherwise, but Don Omar's King of Kings isn't your average reggaeton mash-up. Most genre stars (Daddy Yankee, Voltio, Wisin & Yandel) diffuse their heady personas with weak vocals, insipid lyrics, and repetitive arrangements. Omar, however, is an entirely different animal. King of Kings is a dark, adventurous journey through reggaeton, supplemented by surprising rhythms and a careful selection of collaborators. Hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari adds urban elegance to "Intro-Predica," and Juelz Santana brings a genuine grit to "Conteo." King of Kings also finds Omar experimenting with creative variations on the reggaeton sound. "Ojitos Chiquitos" benefits from a moody Middle Eastern vibe, and "Cuentale" soars via a start-stop salsa hybrid. Omar slows things down during "Tu No Sabes," a piano-driven tale of heartbreak; and "Candela" incorporates reggaeton beats into a searing rock arrangement. Omar's former life as a preacher has obviously influenced his lyrics (which touch on religion, love, and life's hardships), but it's also given him a heady, passionate approach to music. There are lighter moments of standard reggaeton and dance hall, but even those simmer with intensity. Omar's vocals aren't always strong--particularly during the slower moments--but King of Kings stands tall amid so many throwaway reggaeton releases. We'll allow him a few moments of boastful frivolity. --Joey Guerra
Album Description
King of Kings is building on the impressive foundation set by Don Omar's previous albums, "The Last Don" and "The Last Don Live". King of Kings does feature its share of ballads, like "Muñecas," "Tu No Sabes," "Angelitos," and "Infieles." But that doesn't mean that Don Omar stops rocking out to reggaetón's eductive dance rhythm and Bachata Fixation with hard-driving tracks like "Conteo, "Bailando Sola" and Cuentale get you bumping and dancing across the dance floor. The album also includes collaborations MCs Juelz Santana, Beanie Man, and Zion. King of Kings parte de la base sólida de "The Last Don" y "The Last Don Live". King of Kings sà contiene una buena cantidad de boleros, como "Muñecas," "Tu No Sabes," "Angelitos," e "Infieles." Pero eso no quiere decir que Don Omar dejó de utilizar el ritmo seductivo y bailable del reggaetón y su obsesion con la bachata. Temas fuertes como "Conteo" y "Bailando Sola" y Cuentale hacen menear y sandunguear en la pista de baile. El disco también incluye colaboraciones con raperos como Juelz Santana, Beanie Man, y Zion.
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King of Kings
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