With success writing hits for other artists, Puerto Rican songwriter YOEL ENRIQUEZ has little time to record his own album. But he's not complaining
By Karl Avanzini
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Yoel Enriquez |
It has been a great year for Puerto Rican songwriter Yoel Enriquez. He's had four singles playing simultaneously on the radio, including Latin superstar Chayanne's "Si Nos Quedara Poco Tiempo," which was still strong on the charts after 26 weeks; Michael Stuart's "Me Siento Vivo," currently riding the top of Billboard's tropical charts and with a new pop version about to be launched; Yolandita Monge's "Demasiado Fuerte," a song also serving as title to her latest album, receiving heavy airplay in Puerto Rico; and the highly acclaimed duet of Isaac Delgado and Victor Manuelle on "La Mujer Que Mas Te Duele." The 34 year-old is no stranger to success. He was nominated in 2006 along with one of the best songwriters in Latin Music today, Jorge Luis Piloto, for a Latin Grammy (Best Tropical Song) performed by another musical icon - Tito Nieves. Enrique has also won multiple ASCAP awards, along with a string of #1 and top Billboard Latin Pop hits. Playback recently spoke with him about his success and his plans for the future.
When did you realize you had a gift for music, and how long did it take before you got your first break in the business?
I started taking singing and piano lessons when I was 14 years old with a renowned Puerto Rican ASCAP singer-songwriter, Rafael Monclova. Just after learning my first basic progressions, I dared to write a song and show it to him, but apparently it had something to it, because even though he almost tore it apart, he did like some parts of the melody and lyrics, and gave me advice on how to fix the rest. I kept writing songs and showing them to him, and every time around he made fewer and fewer changes. Then one day he finally told me I didn't need to run songs by him anymore because he felt I was ready�needless to say, I felt extremely proud.
Years passed and I just kept writing. One day, I had the opportunity to meet musical producer Angel "Cucco" Pe�a in Puerto Rico and I showed him some of my songs. He immediately put one of them on hold for an album he was producing for Jerry Rivera. A few weeks later, he called me to say not only that my song was in, but also that the label selected it to be the second single on that album! Can you imagine? My first song as a professional songwriter, and it was a single! It was 1997, and as we say in Puerto Rico, "it has rained a lot since then."
How did you get your songs recorded by so many artists?
Working hard, working harder and working the hardest. Apart from writing hits, nowadays you have to find the way to find creative ways to reach an artist you don't know personally to hear your songs. I firmly believe that if I can show my work to that person who is going to "defend" my song as his or her own, I have the best shot. If for some reason I am unable to meet that artist, I always try to make sure he or she receives my demo. I also believe in doing my homework to avoid repeating things that have been done in the past.
You've had a prolific career writing for others, with more than 100 recorded songs. But also have a talent for writing, composing and singing. If you were ever to release a solo album, what would it sound like?
I have to admit it I�ve been very fortunate. I've known tons of talented people who have abandoned music and have devoted themselves to something else. I thank God every day for giving me the opportunity to make a good living and a nice career out of my music, because it is my true passion. My solo album? I envision it being something simple, a very organic sound, probably mostly acoustic and an album where the depth of the songs would be the protagonist. It is something that I have always had on the back burner. The problem is that fortunately (and unfortunately) I never have enough time to work on it. I have 3 or 4 songs written for that project, but my hands are always full writing for others, and that is how I make a living, so I don't know... one of these days it'll come true�you'll see.
When you begin to write a song, what inspires you?
My wife would love me to tell you she has inspired 100% of my songs�and actually, I have to admit she has inspired - among many others - two of my biggest hits: "Un amor para la historia" and "Si nos quedara poco tiempo." But as a songwriter who writes about love, anger, and social issues at the same time, I'll tell you inspiration can come from the most unexpected sources. From a phrase I heard on the street, to a story I saw on the news or read in the newspaper, from something that has happened to a friend, to a scene from a movie�or even from personal experiences. In general, as songwriters we tend to be very good listeners�and you never know what we can come up with for a song�beware!
