Lorenzo Fenix Perrealo - December 19, 2005 - During the time of Reggaeton's most recent developments, and by watching it grow in the U.S., one has to pay special attention to the players who rock the audiences in places where large crowds gather to enjoy live performances by their favorite artists. Press reports have attested to the fact that fans from all parts of the country have been attracted to a particular performer who seems destined to claim his own spot in the game. We remember him as being the Opening Act for Daddy Yankee at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during the launch of the "Who's Your Daddy? Tour". This new artist has been successful and very convincing to the audiences that attended the Three Megatons of 2005 (Large Reggaeton events celebrated in the biggest arenas). These three events took place in major cities like Houston, New York and L.A. He was also one of the featured performers at the 105.9 FM (La Kalle) Block Party in Madison Square Garden. He's featured in the albums Sangre Nueva, produced by Luny Tunes and Nesty, he's also part of the album El Draft 2005 y Da Fuxion (Mas Que Perreo).
He's also featured in upcoming albums like Mas Flow Millenium, Mas Flow Family, Los Compadres, MAFIA, Sopranos' Special Edition, DJ-Ecko Invasion, Las 9 Plagas III, amongst others.
Besides, he had enough time to also appear on the traditionally-watched Hispanic show Sabado Gigante, one of the highest-rated programs aired by Univision from coast to coast and internationally, he has appeared in the showbiz gossip show Escandalo TV in Telefutura Network and in NYC's biggest morning show in history: EL Vacilon De La Manana. With a resume this long and juicy, no wonder he got himself some recognition.
His name is NOZTRA, a common name in the game if you ask... All major players in the Reggaeton biz know about this kid. And as luck has it, we had the opportunity to get more info on him and, interestingly enough, found ourselves not ready for everything we heard from him. It's no coincidence he entitled his CD: Ya Ain't Ready.
LF: After having read all of this, the question is what's going on with NOZTRA? Anything else we don't know yet?
Noztra: Yeah, there's a lot that's not publicly known about me, people remember my performances in major events and radio and TV appearances. However, I feel that my accomplishments so far are like the tip of the iceberg. I'm only 22 years old, so there's a lot for me to do in the game.
LF: What are you bringing to the game in terms of music?
Noztra: An artist has to make sure his music speaks for itself since he won't be around at all times to define it for people. That's what I focus on, on making music eloquently; utilizing social lyrics and stories with an identity that makes people feel like it's familiar and easy to digest. I have created a rich blend of Hip Hop, R&B, Merengue, Cumbia, Bachata, etc. along with my Reggaeton style. Having been able to put all these ingredients together is like giving people what they craved. I notice their response in all my live performances.
LF: Your new album Ya Ain't Ready doesn't look like the work of a new artist, how did you accomplish everything, including the strong, distinctive sound.
Noztra: Well, we worked very hard to put together this album, we traveled to Puerto Rico several times and worked with Luny Tunes who was very helpful and supportive, also, some of the material was recorded at Los Cangri Recording Studio at Villa Kennedy, that's Daddy Yankee's studio. There are plenty other collaborations from other top producers like Nesty, DJ Sonic, Notty-Mekka, Myztico, Monserrate, DJ Urba and A & X. I am very satisfied with the product we were able to put forth with the 19 tracks Ya Ain't Ready consists of, and the way our label Machete Music is working with us is one of the things that makes me have more confidence in the fact that my talent is being backed by people who know the business and have a realistic outlook in regard to The Movement and its projected growth.
LF: How did you become interested in Rhyming, Writing and Performing?
Noztra: One of my biggest influences has been Vico C since the times when Reggaeton was not being done as openly. That was the time when Spanish Hip Hop was the thing, I gathered my flava from many sources, remember, I have spent most of my life in Brooklyn, so I acquired some flava from the source. This is an area with a long tradition of Hip Hop, and I am proud to be the first Reggaeton artist coming straight out of Brooklyn.
LF: How did you develop your style?
Noztra: It's funny because when I started rhyming, it happened in school, on the block, in the apartment building lobbies, etc. We had Freestyle battles among the kids from the area, we had some sort of challenge going on and we had to use our words as weapons. At that time my name was Noztradamus, but my "contenders" started to call me Noztra for short and the name caught on. So the need for self-expression grew and I found myself a great, satisfying outlet for my talent. Later on I established my own studio and recorded tracks for myself and other kids. I also worked for a Hip Hop Magazine and as a DJ who recorded mixed tracks for a radio station. During this time I met many people from the industry who liked my work and encouraged me to take it to the next level.
LF: Your video clip " El Maquinon" comes from one of the first promotional tracks in your album Ya Ain't Ready, it looks strong, with and full of flava. Tell us about this…
Noztra: For the making of this video clip we went above and beyond in order to create a good visual product. It was shot completely in Miami by Rhyno Studios, one of the most experienced and successful video production companies in the country. The story in the video clip is tricky, some people have to watch it more than once to get the actual story that unfolds while the music plays.
LF: Where does the name for the song comes from?
Noztra: A "Maquinon" refers to a big machine, a top-notch, high-power engine. We made the analogy of a girl being called a "Maquinon" when she has the goods, you know, big body, big moves, etc. That's why we have the type of models we used in the video. This song was produced by DJ Urba and Monserrate.
LF: Knowing how business-minded artists are nowadays, Is there anything besides music going on with you?
Noztra: I am very humbled by everything that's happening in my life; part of the things people will be hearing is that I am the only Reggaeton artist who has a signed contract with the upcoming fashion brand REGGAETON WEAR which will be launched in the fall of 2006. This is the official Reggaeton clothing line.
LF: Why are you being called by people in the music industry LA NUEVA VOZ DEL REGGAETON?
Noztra: I think you should ask that question to the people at MACHETE MUSIC, I really don't know how they came up with it. If anything, that shows their belief in my talent and my potential for growth in the industry. That sounds like a great responsibility and I'll do my best to earn and represent such title; it's definitely an honor considering how many great artists we have out there.
By the end of our conversation, Noztra had some of his collaborators come over, we did not hear the whisper, but it seems as though business is the reason. He had to leave us in order to enter the studio and do what he does best. And that's creating sounds and images through his lyrics, those who we'll ultimately listen and dance to. La Nueva Voz Del Reggaeton is a title that seems to fit him well.
Besides "El Maquinon" , his album contains other notable tracks such as:
DAMELO DURO —this is the song that opened doors for Noztra after its hook made it to the play lists at stations like Hot 97, La Mega, Latino Mix and KTU, all in New York City.
TE QUISE AMAR ---A crazy love story with a twist, in here, Noztra navigates easily in an R&B/ Reggaeton blend that's sure to captivate the senses.
ME HUELE A GUERRA ---Here, Noztra shows us his Brooklyn Hip Hop influence, combined and produced masterfully by Luny Tunes, who also included it in their album SANGRE NUEVA.
After he'd left, we learned from some record label documents that Noztra was born in San Francisco De Macoris, in the heart of El Cibao in the Dominican Republic and was raised in Brooklyn, NY. He is, therefore, the first Dominican Reggaeton artist with international appeal.