Recommended Tracks: “Vida Rockstar,” “Dei V,” “Viene BASQUIAT…”
Similar Artists: Bad Bunny, Myke Towers, J Balvin
Puerto Rican artist, JHAYCO shows listeners why he’s one of reggaeton’s top artists in his almost two-hour-long album Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X) that released on Sept. 6 via Universal Music Latin. With 29 songs that feature over 10 other artists like Peso Pluma, Yandel, DJ Khaled, YOVNGCHIMI, and Eladio Carrion, JHAYCO has divided the album into three phases: Vida Rockstar, Le Clique, and X. Throughout his album, he introduces electronic, trap, rock, and various other elements into his songs that show off his ability to produce smooth beat changes and add innovating, fresh sounds into the Latin urban music scene.
JHAYCO fittingly opens up his album with upbeat rock song “Vida Rockstar” that features cymbals, live drums, and electric guitar solos in which he sings “Yo no soy normal, yo soy un rockstar.” The timing of the instruments and his lyrics make you feel like you’re in the middle of a rock concert with the Latin Grammy hitmaker hopping around the stage. This song perfectly sets the tone for how JHAYCO will successfully fuse other genres into his following songs.
“Porsche Carrera” pays homage to old-school reggaeton by having Yandel, from the iconic reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel, sing “Me preguntó como si no supiera nada / Que cuál era mi nombre y temblaba” for the first two lines which reference his and Tony Dize’s song “Permitame” that released back in 2008. In a Spotify listening party with over 1,500 fans that he hosted to celebrate the release of his album, JHAYCO shared that this is one of his top three songs from the album and that he worked on it back to back.
As mentioned before, JHAYCO fuses other genres into his songs. “En La Bently” features deep house elements. “58” is a trap jersey club hit with good bass that transitions into a classic reggaeton beat by the end and features Puerto Rican rapper Dei V. Some other songs that fans will enjoy from the Vida Rockstar phase of the album are “Habibi,” “Natural,” “Quimik” featuring Omar Courtz, and his popular hit single “Holanda.”
Moving on to the second phase of the album, Le Clique, JHAYCO starts off by fusing trap and hip hop in “Le Clique” with artists DJ Khaled and YOVNGCHIMI. The production of “Viene BASQUIAT…” is chill compared to the rest of the album as it doesn’t have as many layers of sounds or flashy beat changes but it offers strong songwriting instead with lyrics like “No me hablen de moviе, que yo me la vivo / Cabrón, yo hago la funda y eso mе hace atractivo” and “Vivo mi vida como quiero / El día que me muera vo’a hacer una estatua o un museo.” “Joe” is a song that is special to JHAYCO’s heart where he emotionally sings “Mientra’ trato de no llamarte y eso e’ un arte, pero / Pero, pero ya sin cojone’ / Me tiene que mi mente me traicione, triste’ toa’ las cancione’ son / Cuando te vas siempre se pone gris.” Other songs that stand out are “2C,” trap-heavy song “Murci,” and “No Entiendo” with Eladio Carrion and Omar Courtz.
The final phase of the album, X, includes the most amount of featured artists across six songs. There are singles from the past that fans already love like “Ex-Special” with Peso Pluma and “Cuerpecito.” This phase is very energetic with songs like “3D” and “Mami Chula” with Quevedo that have pulsating beats and fun electronic components.
Overall, JHAYCO does not disappoint in the first album he’s released in three years. With so many songs and styles, listeners are sure to find a song they love and become mesmerized by the reggaetonero trailblazer. Even if listeners don’t sit down and listen to it today, they will soon dance to JHAYCO’s hits at the club and parties. On Nov. 1, he will kick off his Vida Rockstar tour in Miami.
Follow JHAYCO: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // TikTok // Spotify
