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Rafy Mercenario

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rafy Mercenario
OriginPuerto Rico
GenresReggaeton
Instrument(s)Drum Machine, synthesizer, sequencer, Fl Studio, electric guitar, electric keyboard
Years active2001–present
LabelsFlow Music, Universal Music Latino

Rafy Mercenario is a Puerto Rican reggaeton producer. He has produced hits for several artists including Tego Calderón,[1] Daddy Yankee,[2] Don Omar and Ivy Queen.[3]

He has released compilation albums, including a collaboration with fellow producer DJ Nelson, The Kings of the Remix (2006), which debuted at number fourteen on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart.[4][5]

Musical career

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Rafy Mercenario has a long history in the genre, but it was in 2003 when he decided to join Oscar Lebron, better known as DJ Kalin, and they proposed to make a new group within the reggaeton genre, which they named the "Marroneo Crew."[6]

In 2005, Mercenario produced the four new studio tracks on Puerto Rican singer Ivy Queen's fifth studio/compilation release Flashback. At this time, he had become "the most highly requested producer in reggaetón".[7] The tracks included the lead single "Cuentale" and the second single "Libertad", which peaked at number three and thirteen, respectively on the Billboard Latin Songs chart.[8]

Rafy also co-produced the album El Abayarde with Tego Calderón,[9] incorporating rhythms such as salsa and reggaeton with Tego's own style of hip-hop.[10] "Pa Que Retozen", a single from this album co-produced with DJ Joe, was listed in position 34 by Rolling Stone as one of the most important Latin pop songs from 1950 to the present.[11]

In 2008, Rafy Mercenario was in charge of producing the remix "Somos de Calle", the official theme of the Daddy Yankee film, "Talento de Barrio".

With the concept “Reggaeton Old School”, he was part of the cast of the Latin American tour along with Alberto Stylee, Guelo Star, Don Chezina, Maicol Super Star, MC Ceja, Polaco, Lito, Ranking Stone, among others, will also feature some of the DJs who made the advancement of the underground genre possible such as DJ Nelson, DJ Playero, DJ Negro, DJ Blass, Nico Canada, DJ Davey and DJ Adam.[12]

Discography

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Adapted from Allmusic:[13]

Compilation albums

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  • 2003: Kakoteo Mix (with DJ Nelson)
  • 2005: Digital Reggaeton Pistas
  • 2005: Reggaeton Beats, Vol. 1
  • 2006: No Mercy
  • 2006: The Kings of the Remix (with DJ Nelson)
  • 2006: Mundo Demente

Production discography

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References

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  1. ^ EnPelotas.com. "Sensation, Mercenario y más DJs llevan fiesta a los hogares". www.enpelotas.com (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  2. ^ "El Rey del reggaetón Daddy Yankee conquista Toronto y Montreal". Hispano City (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  3. ^ "Dj Rafi Mercenario: ¿Quién es y por qué es tan conocido en el mundo urbano?". Moda (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  4. ^ "Latin Rhythm Albums: September 02, 2006". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  5. ^ "September 9, 2016 − Latin Billboard: Latin Rhythm". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 9 September 2006. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  6. ^ RedacciónRPP (2009-05-06). "Rafy Mercenario el DJ de reggaeton # 1 del mundo viene a Lima | RPP Noticias". rpp.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  7. ^ "Ivy Queen Biography - ARTISTdirect Music". ARTISTdirect. Rogue Digital, LLC. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  8. ^ "Ivy Queen - Chart History: Latin Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  9. ^ Mendoza, Shelley (2022-12-22). "Tego Calderón: 100% Real. Reveals the Musical Influnces that Shaped His Style". LatinTRENDS. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  10. ^ "Una Introducción a la Música Urbana en 50 Canciones". Pitchfork. 2020-03-09. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  11. ^ Estevez, Suzy Exposito,Andrew Casillas,Isabela Raygoza,John Ochoa,Marjua; Exposito, Suzy; Casillas, Andrew; Raygoza, Isabela; Ochoa, John; Estevez, Marjua (2018-07-09). "50 Greatest Latin Pop Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-10-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Anuncian gira "Reggaeton Old School" por Latinoamérica". Wow La Revista. 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  13. ^ "Rafy Mercenario: Credits: Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 23 May 2016.