LO YO YAI
Interviewed by: Angela

I understand that you both lived in the Dominican Republic but didn’t meet until going to High School in the Bronx, NY. How exactly did the meeting of your talents come to be?

We met up at N.P. Killah’s house while he was trying to make a song to a track or beat that he had. So I mad a hook for him and helped him out with some words and we came up with our single, which was and still is a great hit, Mamita Ven.

How did your individual (NP Killah & Shown Black) and your group (Lo Yo Yai) names originate? What do they mean to you?

The name comes from our block located in 175 Weeks Ave in the Bronx.
It’s saying a symbol that defines us from the rest. It’s an original speech our old g’s that been on the block way before used to say, “What’s up” and just call to one another.

How did you end up getting signed with WuTang Latino?

My manager Nelson Frias was working hard sending our demo to different labels. He used to manage Fragancia from DLG before managing us. There is where he met the people that he knows and made it possible for us.

What do you feel your biggest success has been since you started in the music business?

I still haven’t had my biggest success. I feel that I still have much to learn and accomplish.

What made you decide that music was the right career choice for you?

Music has been in me since I was a little boy. My mother “Maria Catala” had a great show called (El TV Can) which was Frederic Martines aka El Pacha’s first job as a VJ. There I had the chance to meet and see them perform. I liked it a lot. It was then that I decided that music was what I wanted to do.

How do you feel everyone has treated you since you started in the music business?

Everybody that knows me is very happy for me. Some never knew that I had it in me until now but the people that knew that I used to sing are telling me that I had it from a long time ago.

Do you classify the music that you play as Reggaeton?

Well I am an RnB artist and I look up to the great RnB artists like Brian McKnight, Maven Gate, Case, Joe, R. Kelly, etc. Now I am trying to bring that flavor to the Reggaeton world but I don’t think that I do Reggaeton. I write on a Reggaeton beat but I don’t classify myself on that level. I am doing RnB in Reggaeton, a new mix.

Do you play music other than Reggaeton?

Yes I do I play Jazz, Hip Hop, Merengue, RnB, etc.

Do you still have creative freedom over your recordings?

The freedom to us and our music is unlimited.

Do you write all of your own songs?

Yes I do write all of my words and lyrics.

How often do you record?

I tend to be in the studio as much as I can just to keep new ideas open and ready to record. I go every week to lay down new ideas and songs.

Name one person in the music industry that has helped you more than anyone else? Why?

The person that helped me the most I have to say was Romeo from Mosa. He was the person that got me in front of a mic and then told me to keep doing it because I had something different to bring to the table.

Are there any other people or groups that you are dying to work with?

I would love to work with Brian McKnight, Jahime, Case, 112, old school RnB that made me fall in love with the music.

How does it feel to be on your way to stardom?

It feels like a dream come true but at the same time it means a lot of hard work is on the way but we are ready.

Is there anything else you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?

Well what I would like to tell all of the people out there that are trying to make it is….Don’t stop just keep doing what you do…..If you believe then you will make it, it’s just a matter of time!

What is your official website?

www.wulatino.com

Shout outs

Shout outs to the almighty GOD. A.N.X., Jarvis from So So Def, Weeks Ave, Incro Crew, Never Broke, WuTang and all the people out there that know me and support me. My manager Nelson Frias for believing in me and the big dog’s that made it happen Ray Acosta and Ed Rosa.