The best 5 seconds of my life...

            Now I know you all are wondering what I am talking about because of the title of this entry. Well, I was not sure what to write about this week and suddenly, I was overcome by a memory of a day where my life stood for a standstill for about 5 seconds. Not just any standstill, a heart stopping surreal standstill. It was a very cold day in February in 2008. I went to 42nd street with some friends to be part of the MTV 3's studio audience. I remember as if it were yesterday, I was a bundle of excitement and nerves. I stood outside waiting for them to let us inside the studio in the cold, snowy weather for about 2 hours. I was ready to see Aventura much closer than I had ever before. Finally inside the studio while on the line to be seated, I saw the members of Aventura pass by a couple of feet away, realizing that I was so close, I started screaming and jumping and crying all at once. Little did I know the best was yet to come. Once seated in the audience, the show began a couple of minutes after. When Aventura walked into the room, there was chaos everywhere, I couldn't contain myself. As Romeo walked in, I utterly died right there. As he got closer to me, I couldn't believe what was happening, he got closer until he was hugging me! I will never forget those 5 seconds of my life and how he smelled. To this day I have not washed the shirt (don't worry guys, haven't worn it either). Not only did Romeo hug me, but I came out on television with him hugging me and that made everything even more memorable. Ahh, these are moments that a person can never forget, and if you are a fan of any singer or anybody, you know exactly what I mean!!.

Why Romeo?

           By now I know that all of you have come to realize that even though the other three members of what was Aventura, have had their share of success, Romeo seems to be the one with the most attention. This is nothing new, Romeo has been the more popular of the three even when Aventura was together. Is it his charisma? is it his sex appeal? is it his voice? is it his lyrics? As a fan, I choose all of the above. Romeo has great charisma on stage and even off stage. He has amazing sex appeal and he knows it!! His voice makes ladies, including myself, go gaga!! and his lyrics have a lot of meaning behind them, kind of like a poem with a melody. He writes all his songs which make his style rather unique, there would have been no Aventura if not for his lyrics and voice. Regardless of Romeo's immense success, with Aventura and without, he never forgets about his other three members, even inviting all three to his tour. Also, while with Aventura, Romeo was offered a solo career and did not take it because he did not want to leave the group. He put his heart and soul into Aventura and even though some say that fame has gotten to his head, I beg to differ. Some people just can't handle others success ;)!!

Where the other members are today

             
           Now usually all I write about is Romeo. This blog will focus on the other three members of Romeo's ex group, Aventura.

           The split between Romeo and the other members of Aventura was not one of rivalry or betrayal. Simply, it happened because they all wanted to do their own projects for awhile. Even while Aventura was still together, all four members, Henry, Mikey, Lenny and Romeo were all doing their own thing, when the group was not recording in the studio or performing. After the split, they became even more involved in their own thing. Romeo of course went solo. Now, I know you all want to know where are the other three today.
             

          After the split, Henry Santos, who is Romeo's cousin, has recorded his own album. His first single was titled "Poquito a poquito" and his album is titled "Introducing Henry Santos" which was number two in its debut on the "Billboard Tropical Albums" chart. He has had his own share of success, though there are rumors that he is greatly envious of   his cousin Romeo. 

            Brothers, Mikey and Lenny Santos have also found success after the split. Together they collaborated with former member of another bachata group "Xtreme", Steve Styles to form their group called "Vena". They also have their own projects as Mikey is a rapper and Lenny a producer.

         Though the group has split, it has not been the last of them. The group will be making a new album by the end of 2013, making it clear that there is no real animosity between them. As a huge fan, not only of Romeo, but the group as a whole, this is great news to hear. I can't wait!!


Pictures retrieved from:http://www.israbox.com/uploads/posts/2011-10/1317899626_cover.jpg
http://blog.chron.com/peep/files/legacy/aventura1.jpg
http://www.thatsdominican.com/wp-content/uploads/vena1.jpg

Crossing cultural boundaries

             Romeo is currently on a  tour around the country. In a near future he will also be touring in Latin America. As a Romeo fan and coming from a Dominican heritage, I am immensely proud of the accomplishments that Romeo has fulfilled as an artist over the years. Recently in a concert in Dallas, Texas, a Caucasian male got on stage and began to sing with Romeo. Romeo was awestruck he could not believe that this man knew the words to one of his songs, IN SPANISH!! I myself while watching the video could not contain myself, I was in disbelief. I know that Romeo is known worldwide, but seeing a person from a completely different background, that did not grow up listening to bachata, actually singing it, was amazing. I could just imagine the wonderful sensations Romeo felt as he heard this guy singing one of his songs. It is a great accomplishment that Romeo has been able to reach various cultures with his music. This demonstrates that music knows no language barriers and can connect all kinds of people together.


Picture retrieved from:  http://musica.terra.com/generos/tropical/romeo-santos-conquista-estados-unidos,14cdca2a25e56310VgnVCM3000009acceb0aRCRD.html

Here is the video of the Caucasian male singing in Spanish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3lXY1weV3s&sns=fb

A day in the life of a Romeo fan

         Being a Romeo fan is nothing new for me. As a matter of fact, being a fan has been part of who I am ever since I was about nine years old. I remember becoming obsessed with the song "Obsecion" which means obsessed in Spanish, go figure. It became very popular, and was the song that put Romeo's former group, "Aventura" on the map. The song was heard everywhere even in Europe. Even though Romeo was part of a group, he had always been my favorite because of the fact that he was the lead singer of the bachata group and I loved his lyrics and voice. Back in those times, CD's were used more often and I remember having their CD's and singing along to each and every song, much to the dismay to my sister, who grew tired of my belting into song everyday. What attracted me to the songs that Romeo and his group sang were the lyrics and also the catchy beat. They were songs you could relate to and lose yourself while listening to them. Nowadays that Romeo is a solo artist, nothing has changed. I continue to admire his work and continue to be a huge fan. I listen to his whole album at least once a day everyday, its like my religion.

Below is a link to the song "Obsecion", the song that changed my life forever.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apk4dzpQb6c&feature=related

For those who would like to watch the official video here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohvupSXBxQw&feature=fvsr

Theme behind the music

               Similar to most bachata music, Romeo's songs have a common theme of love. At times Romeo will stray from the theme of love and occasionally touch on betrayal, heartache, sex and women. He has a way with words and you will never hear a Romeo song that is ambiguous or straightforward, there is always a double meaning or a metaphoric tone to his lyrics. One of his most recent songs that can be heard in almost every Latino radio station, is "Mi Santa", which in English is "My Saint". In this eloquently written song, Romeo does not simply say that he loves this woman and will do anything for her, he gives examples of various things he would do for her and her love, even if before it would have been impossible to do such things. Also, just the fact that he is comparing this woman to a saint demonstrates how special she is. Saints are a very important aspect of the Catholic religion and this comparison is quite extraordinary to make, demonstrating the greatness of this woman he is speaking of. There is a part in the song that Romeo claims he only believes in God and this woman, this shows how much love and trust he endows in this woman. In a sense he is worshiping her and telling her that she is the owner of his heart. Here are the lyrics to the song so you can see for yourselves the wonderful metaphors and comparisons developed by the lyrics. The letters in bold are the translations. The song is a great representation of true love!, like Romeo and Juliet, go figure ;)

Romeo santos - Mi Santa
Yo valoro una mujer por nacer de una mujer
I value a woman, because she’s born a woman
Y aun te amo en mi peor momento
and I still love you in my worst moments
Nadie puede comprender
Nobody can understand
Mi religion por tu querer
my religion for your love
Eres mi diosa y yo por ti hasta muero
you are my godess and I would almost die for you

En cualquier momento (momento momento) en cualquier momento
In any moment (moment moment), in any moment
Soy capaz de lo incapaz por ti mi cielo
I’m able to do the imposible for you, my love
Hago un pacto con el Diablo y le ofrezco
I’d make a pact with the devil and I’d offer him
mi alma entera sin pensar en mi future
my entire soul, without thinking about my future
Si ha de ser por no perder tu amor
if that’s what it takes to avoid losing your love
Te regalo to' a mi sangre y mi fortuna
I’d give you all my blood, my wealth
Me hago astronauta pa' llevarte a la luna
I’d become an astronaut to take you to the moon
Cuando sea como sea si deseas
whenever, however you wish
Por ti nado un mar profundo
For you, I’d swim a deep ocean

BRIDGE:
Te enciendo una velita en mi armario
I burn a candle for you on my cupboard
Luego rezo una oracion
and then I say a prayer
Porque eres mi santa
because you are my saint
Y solamente creo en dios y en ti mi amor
and I only believe in God and you my love

(ale Romeo ay yay yay eres mi santa ay mi santa)
ay ay you are my saint, my saint
Pongo en ti toda mi fe
I put all my faith in you
Me arrodillo a tu merced
I kneel down to your mercy
Y aunque hablen nunca me arrepiento
And although people talk, I never regret it
Mi sacramento fue en tu cama
My sacrament was in your bed
Bautizandome en tus aguas
baptizing me in your waters
Por ti ayuno no me importa el tiempo
For you I fast, it doesn’t matter for how long


En cualquier momento (momento momento)
In any moment (moment moment)
Yo no se pelear pero por ti es possible
I can’t fight, but for you it’s possible
Que desafie hasta un leon si me lo pides
that I’d defy a lion if you would ask me to
Me convierto en tu tarzan
I’ll become your tarzan
Tu eres quien manda en este humilde corazon
You’re in charge of this humble heart
Mi devocion por vos siempre pondre primero
I’ll always put my devotion for you first
No hay otro hombre que te ame como Romeo
There’s no other man who loves you like Romeo
Tu eres angel celestial
You are an angel from heaven
Mi pan mi vino y en tu templo quiero morir
My bread, my wine and in your temple I want to die

BRIDGE

(Dale Tomatito, he's nasty)

BRIDGE

Lyrics retrieved from:  http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/spanish-lyrics-translation/126576-can-someone-translate-2-english-romeo-santos-mi-santa.html

Picture retrieved from: http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Romeo+Santos/Romeo+Santos+Makes+An+Exit/F16XwdnEOeY

Something to be admired

                Romeo has managed to make it big while staying true to himself, his fans and his roots. Though he occasionally throws English into his songs, he mostly sings in Spanish and doesn't abandon the inspirational and emotion filled love songs of bachata. This coming Friday Romeo is going to be performing in the Patriot Center in Virginia. Even though this is considered "mainstream" America, he says, "I want them to cross over to my world." I find this very admirable of Romeo to have this mentality. Many artists may stray away from their roots because they feel they wont achieve as much fame if they don't do what's popular. Romeo on the other hand has managed to captivate the hearts of and inspire people across the globe with his lyrics, regardless of language or background.
               Not only is Romeo an inspiration on various backgrounds, but also on various age groups. From kids to older adults. You will hear children singing along to his lyrics as well as aspiring to be him. The other day on a trip to the barbershop with my nephew, a little boy told his mom, "I want to get Romeo's haircut!" I couldn't help but smile, it was too adorable. My mom is also a big fan just like I am. There are just no boundaries when it comes to people liking Romeo and his music.

Link: http://www.romeosantosonline.com/home/bachata-music-star-romeo-santos-shaking-things