In case it isn’t obvious by now, Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers is one of the artists responsible for the Latin takeover that is impacting the music scene all over the world. Considered a top lyricist, the 29-year-old’s ability to blend streetwise storytelling with infectious hooks has resulted in global success, making him one of the most influential modern-day stars.
Following a mini hiatus, Towers is back with his third studio album, LA VIDA ES UNA, which arrives nearly two years after Lyke Mike. Describing the latter as a more “aggressive” offering, LA VIDA ES UNA takes on a feel-good, commercial approach as opposed to the trappy, hip-hop material that he made his mark with. But like every evolving artist, Towers is in a privileged space where he is able to explore and expand his horizons. After all, he is a powerhouse will billions of streams, 32.9 million monthly Spotify listeners, and Daddy Yankee, Manuel Turizo, Anitta, Rauw Alejandro, and Bad Bunny collaborations to his name.
During an interview with EUPHORIA., Towers opened up about the new album, the reception it received, and what else is on the cards for 2023.
You have just released your new studio album, LA VIDA ES UNA, into the world. How have you felt about the reception of it so far?
I feel that my fans are torn, because either they love it or they hate it. It’s not my typical style of music like what I’ve done in the past, which is more trappy and hip-hop influenced. I created this record with more commercial intent. However, I believe that it is a collection of songs that with time will turn into classics.
Among the 23 tracks, there are five collaborations. Compared to your previous albums, this is the most that have ever featured on one record. Did you make a cautious decision to work with more people on this one?
For my albums, I don’t usually do a lot of features, I try to make them more personal. This album has a few collaborations with artists that I admire and respect, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Arcangel, and Ozuna. I even wanted to put more on the album, so look out – at any moment, there could be a deluxe version of the album with more collaborations and more songs on it!
This album definitely stands out in your back catalog as a body of work that is very diverse sonically. How else would you say this album differs from your previous ones?
It is very different in the sense that my previous album Lyke Mike was a bit more aggressive, with more punchlines and bars. This album has more melodies and songs to sing live, for all my fans to sing with me in the future.
Who and what did you take major inspiration from during the creative process?
I don’t take inspiration from a specific person, but more from a generation. For this album, I listened to the voice of my generation and the original classics that made me fall in love with music, the OGs from the golden era of reggaeton: Tego, Don Omar, Hector & Tito, Wisin & Yandel, etc.
It seems your ability to tap into various genres is slowly but surely becoming limitless. How do you hope to see your sound evolve from here?
I always try to create a new sound with my music, and this comes easily the more time I spend in the studio. I allow the music to take me away as well as what I feel is missing in the game and genre. So as time goes on and as the genre evolves, I will try my best to match that.
You have been open about the idea of wanting to create music that you will perform live. Where in the world haven’t you been able to perform that you are hoping to visit this time around?
Definitely Argentina, which I haven’t been to yet and I’d love to go back to Chile. They’ve always given me and my music a very warm welcome and I can’t wait to go back.
The album is filled with so many emotions and feelings. Which one was the most fun to make and why?
“DON & TEGO” and “EQUIX” because they are songs, they have street components but are also slightly commercial. This shows that I don’t really stray away from what I truly love to do, which is more trap/hip-hop-influenced music. I enjoyed making “DON & TEGO,” because I collaborated with Arcangel, one of the titans of reggaeton music and who I admire and respect a lot. “EQUIX” is a track for the OG fans who understand and know reggaeton well, but with a modern twist.
What kind of setting would you recommend fans listen to the album in?
I recommend that they should listen in a group setting and with their close friends, on their way to a jangueo. Wherever really but as long as they’re with friends and without skips! Every song has a different vibe and it’s important that it is savored every time you hear it.
What are you hoping listeners will take away from the album?
I hope that they get inspired by their own lives and that whenever they listen to the album, they remember this chapter and era of their lives with the experiences that they’re going through.
Your 2020 song “Girl” sampled 50 Cent’s legendary “21 Questions.” Did he ever respond to your rendition of his song?
Ha! No, we’ve never spoken, but I did it because I respect him and his music. I hope he liked it because my Latin fans love that song and to this day it is still one of my most popular songs on TikTok.
That track was taken from your debut album, Easy Money Baby, which was released 20 days before your son was born. Has fatherhood over the years impacted or changed your creative process in any way?
It has changed a little bit. Before having a kid, I would always be in the studio until late at night, 6 or 7 am. But now I have to look out for my schedule and balance out two jobs: taking care of my son and my career. Now I wake up earlier and I go to the studio in the evening, but I am usually back home by midnight.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received that’s either really helped or stuck with you throughout your career?
You’ve got to keep your head down. The more you focus on your career the further you will go. I’ve got to keep working hard to achieve my goals and go far.
And lastly, what else does 2023 have in store for Myke Towers?
I can’t wait to go on tour and perform every new song and of course more big records.