The secret behind the rhythm and sensuality of Daniel Santacruz

Latin Grammy nominee songwriter and singer Daniel Santacruz never thought a trip to Argentina two years ago would give him a surprise that would impact his musical career.

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“I went there for a concert and a group of friends prepared a special dinner for me. One of them asked me if I like Kizomba; which I replied to, how do you eat that?” Santacruz told me the anecdote with laughter.

They played and danced it for him and he was captivated automatically by this genre’s catchy rhythm and sensuality.

This is one of those unique experiences artists get to live. A Cuban-Dominican artist born in New Jersey and raised in Dominican Republic learns about an African rhythm in the southernmost corner of the continent -Argentina.

Can we call this cultural globalization?

Kizomba is a modern Angolan music genre that mixes ancestral African rhythms like Kilapanda and Angolan Merengue with contemporary beats. But unlike other traditional Angolan sounds, Kizomba distinguishes by its romantic slow pace and more erotic dancing. It is usually sung in Portuguese. It has been popular in Europe and Latin America for some time already.

The single “Lento” –of Santacruz’ latest album “Lo Dice la Gente”- is a Kizomba piece with the author’s personal touch. “This rhythm is generally made in minor keys but I wanted to do something different to popularize it in this side of the world. It is basically very minimalist and electronic (very R&B in style); so, I added a ukulele, guitar and choir to make it more joyful,” Santacruz said.

The music video of the single has gone viral in YouTube with more than a million and a half views since it was released in June. This is particularly remarkable considering that it has had very little radio exposure.

Sara Lopez a Kizomba dancer who has become an international sensation features in the single’s music video. “Since I saw her videos online when I was researching on Kizomba, I said I want her in my video,” Santacruz said in regard to the Spanish dancer.

He expects the song penetrates Latin radio stations in U.S. soon, emulating its Internet success. He has no doubts the album has it all (Bachata, Salsa and Pop) to make it far, even to the Latin Grammies. “I expect the biggest things from this song and album,” the artist said.

His two prior albums “Radio Rompecorazones” and “Bachata Stereo” had two and one Latin Grammy nominations in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

Santacruz has put his lyrics in the voices of Prince Royce, Hector “El Torito” Acosta, Reik, Milly Quezada, Charlie Cruz and José Feliciano among many others.

The artist is touring in Peru, Argentina and Spain starting in September.

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