What the hell is ‘El Mayimbe and where did this word come from?
Mayimbe comes from the Taino Indians of the Quisqueya Island better known as The Dominican Republic. Mayimbe is what the tribes called their leader.
In today’s slang, it’s the equivalent of Big Boss, Big Dog, El Jefe, etc,. It’s a sign of status, or someone good at something.
Speaking of Mayimbe’s, this article will cover one in the music category, merengue to be specific but with a voice that can range from ballads to opera, he is Fernando Villalona.
Fernando Villalona known as el “El Mayimbe,” to most Dominicans and many throughout Latin America. He is cherished and loved by the islands men and woman alike.
His melodic voice and unique style and rhythm of merengue have captivated the mases in DR and throughout the world for over forty years. Villalona has an impressive trajectory of 350 songs, many of them global hits.
Villalona, is also known as “Fernandito”, “El niño mimado or simply “Nando. One thing is for certain. This man is loved. El Mayimbe’s magic:The excitement that was (and still is) experienced at a Fernando Villalona fiesta cannot be explained, it can only be lived.
if you were around back when Merengue music was at it peak, then you know what I’m talking about. “El Mayimbe” and the golden age of merengue in the 80’s and 90’s was legendary, especially to those that experienced it, they will never be forgotten.
And if you were not around, just listen to a few of Villalona’s hits below so you can FEEL his music.
Fernando was born in Loma de Cabrera, Dajabón Province on May 7, 1955. He began singing in the early 1970s, his popularity started to grow by the late 1970s and has never stopped.
**Villalona Y su orquesta performing on Dominican television in the early 80’s**
Merengue icon Wilfrido Vargas hired him to be part of his group Los Hijos del Rey, but Fernando and the group would soon be separated after his popularity became larger than the group itself.
He would then go into a period of drugs and isolation but never stopped singing, recording some of his best music during that period.
**Nando singing ‘Sere’ a merengue ballad with a melancholic feel. See it below**
Villalona participated in the “We are the World” Spanish version song, along with other stars like Shakira, Ricky Martin, and Enrique Iglesias.
In 2011 he celebrated 40 years in the music business and decided on making a Christian album called “Mi Luz” the religious album praises God and he sings about his past troubled life and how his life has changed over the years.
In 2012, Villalona recorded “El Color de tu Mirada” with American singer/songwriter Victoria Daly. The music video was directed by Rene Brea in the Dominican Republic. It went to be nominated for “Best Music Video” at the Soberano Awards.
Villalona’s voice perfectly syncs between different rhythms of merengue, ballad, bolero, bachata and Christian music with hit songs such as;
“Tabaco y Ron,” “Feliz Cumbe”, ” “Te Amo Demasiado,” “La Hamaquita,” “Dominicano Soy,” “Sonámbulo,” “Baila n las Calles,” and “Carnaval” among others became popular in the 1980s.
“Quisqueya,” “No Podrás,” “Música Latina,” “Retorno,” and “Me he Enamorado” were some of his biggest hits in the 1990s.
He was married to Evelyn Jorge a woman of Puerto Rican origin and they have a daughter named Paloma. He later married, fellow Dominican Fatima Villalona Vicioso and they are still together to this day.
Villalona is the father of 5 children, two females, three males and six grandchildren. He also has an adopted son with his current wife Fátima Vicioso.
In recent years he has had some health problems making performing a difficult task, but he took control of his wellbeing lost 80 pounds and lives a more healthy lifestyle and because of it, he is back doing what he loves, making music.
Villalona’s latest project is a single and video released in 2022 with the Dominican-Venezuelan actress Emily Tosta, tittled “Señorita”. See it below
Tosta can be seen in movies “Willys Wonderland” opposite Nicolas Cage, “Holiday twist” and shows such as Mayans MC, NCIS and Resident 7.
She is also working on a documentary on orphanage of the Dominican Republic “Niños De Cristo” that will be released in 2023.
Fernando Villalona’s Albums
Album Tittle | Release Date |
La Tuerca | 1981 |
El Mayimbe | 1982 |
¡Feliz Cumbé! | 1982 |
Mao Centenario | 1982 |
Canta al Amor | 1983 |
…Así Soy Yo! | 1983 |
Fernandito | 1984 |
Ayer y Hoy | 1984 |
El Mayimbe ¡A la Carga! | 1985 |
Para Mi Pueblo…»Todo» | 1986 |
La Cartita | 1987 |
Romántico | 1988 |
Esta es Mi Historia | 1989 |
Supersencillo | 1989 |
El Mayimbe «Todo» | 1990 |
Quisqueyano | 1991 |
El Niño Mimado | 1994 |
Confundido | 1995 |
Soy Un Hombre Feliz | 1996 |
Bolerísimo | 1996 |
Amigos | 1998 |
Nací Para Cantar | 1999 |
El Mayimbe En Bachata | 2000 |
Mal Acostumbrado | 2002 |
Un Beso y Una Flor/Homenaje a Balaguer | 2002 |
Incontenible | 2003 |
El Gran Mayimbe | 2007 |
Mayimbe «Greatest Hits» | 2008 |
Mi Luz | 2011 |
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