By Clara Galvano
Boy Wonder – Manuel Alejandro Ruiz
LT: Manuel Alejandro Ruiz, you are über successful. So much to discuss, but let’s start with El Draft…this music competition is very interesting. Who do you see taking up the mantle and being the next Reggaeton superstar?
BW Oh man, there are a lot of good ones out there. There’s J Alvarez, Farruko, Jenny “La SexyVoz”, Chiko Swagg…I’m behind them 100%. They all want to be at the top, and all have tremendous talent. The music, whether it’s fusion R&B, Reggaeton or Bachata, is in the center of it all. Obviously I want all of them to be successful …that superstar title can apply to every single one of them…or all of them!
LT: Where did you get the idea to do Chosen Few: El Documental? How long did it take and how hard was it to make? I mean at that point, Reggaeton was definitely underground and getting bad rep.
BW: It wasn’t easy. I just had this idea that this music needed to be heard. I was a producer and I remember going to different record labels and talking about my music and they just seemed lost, you know…they were the ones that should have been talking to me about a new sound, but it wasn’t like that. So, instead of complaining about it, I decided to do something about it. I was very fortunate. We’ve had great success. Radio got behind us. Record labels started calling, signing the new artists. Everything happened real fast. I mean, look, I am on my 5th album! Some artists never get past their second or third. I am blessed.
LT: Urbano. This is a new word in our dictionary as it relates to music! Last year you released El Journey…this Urbano movement is all over Latin America. Are you travelling there? Are you thinking of creating competitions in other countries?
BW: Yes, the music is very popular there. I was in Colombia recently at their first Reggaeton concert. It was amazing to see what a large fan base the artists have. A great deal of talent there. Allot of good stuff happening. International competitions? Absolutely in the future.
LT: Let’s talk about the business of making this kind of music and about what’s next for Boy Wonder.
BW: Well, we need to keep it authentic. We’ve matured, you know. I don’t think the same way I did five, eight years ago. We try to help those coming up. Success came so quickly that we made mistakes. Russell Simmons didn’t know all there was to know about his Hip Hop business, but he learned and shared his knowledge. That’s the way it has to be. That’s what I mean by authentic. As far as work, Chosen Few Urbano -“Continues” is on a nationwide promo tour with Jenny “La Sexy Voz” and Chiko Swagg. The tour will hit New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, Houston and Los Angeles.
LT: Let’s lighten up, Boy Wonder. What article of clothing on a woman makes your heart beat a little faster? And try to keep it clean.
BW: What really comes to mind right away is lingerie (laughter) but in outward clothing? I like a woman to look sexy and successful.. . .you know, like she is going to close the deal. That kind of look makes me curious. I like a successful look. A well-dressed woman can really kick some. More laughter.
Jenny “La Sexy Voz”
LT: Your Murio video sends a powerful message to men who abuse women and to the women who are abused. What kind of response did you get from your fans, from organizations?
J: That video was very special. It was filmed on my birthday and it was my first solo. Many women that identified with it contacted me through Twitter. It touched a lot of women’s hearts. I tell them they are worth more than that, that you can be happy by yourself. Violence is not the solution. Toma las riendas. Deja el hombre por mas que lo quieras. It’s not worth it.
LY: Did you get lots of flack from the family when you decided to go professional? Are they supportive now? Do you travel with any family members to your gigs?.
J: Not really. They don’t like the road, so they don’t travel with me. In the beginning they didn’t like Urban music. Now my Mom loves it. She’s my #1 fan and buys CD’s for me.
LT: Videos show all your bumps and flaws, so I know it’s important for you to keep your body looking fabulous. What do you do to keep it that way? What do you NOT eat!!
J: I don’t like diets, so I just try to eat really healthy. I stay away from soda and candy. I really like chocolate though, especially Godiva. If I eat fried stuff, I cook it in coconut oil.
LT: You meet lots of men in your line of work. What makes a man go from “Just OK” to “OMG HOT”!!
J: The first thing that gets to me is the fragrance he is wearing. This captures my attention. I love a beautiful scent on a man.
LT: What’s next for Jenny?
J: I will continue pursuing my dreams. Yo creci con esta musica, esta en mis venas. So, I want to make music that will get people dancing. I love to dance. I am currently working in the studio – be on the lookout for something special from Jenny in 2014!
