Don Omar

On starting a farm, releasing his long-awaited album, and wanting to star in a comedy with Cardi B

- JENZIA BURGOS

As reggaeton continues to reach new heights, Don Omar is reminding the world of his rightful place in the genre he helped to shape. His new album, Forever King, is out in February and features guests such as Maluma and Gente de Zona, as well as fellow stars who emerged in the early 2000s like Calle 13 rapper Residente and reggaeton mainstay Wisin. The record blends Don Omar’s signature old-school perreo with the Caribbean styles dominating música urbana today. The anticipated project, his first in three years, comes after Don retired (and unretired) from music and ended his previous label contract. Now, he’s back with the breezy energy of someone done with drama. “I feel fulfilled. I feel changed. I’m a new guy,” he says. “I’m not trying to push anything. I’m just here, living the moment.”

After announcing your retirement in 2017, you returned two years later but kept a low profile. Where has Don been all this time?

Don Omar in 2017 was exhausted. We were on tour for five years in a row, playing every single weekend. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there for most of the beautiful moments with my kids and my family. I needed to go back. My family needed me.

I heard you purchased a plot of land and started farming. What was that experience like for you?

Grounding. It was the most beautiful experience. I got this land in Puerto Rico, in the mountains. The peace was magic. I brought students from the University of Puerto Rico and learned from them, from seeding to growing crops. I spent two years doing that, and I ended up opening an organicproduce company.