ELYTE

“It\'s impossible for us artists to completely change our style, because it\'s part of our DNA,” Yandel tells Apple Music. “But we can make the right adjustments to adapt to new generations.” Backing this up for more than 25 years is no small feat, but Yandel has proven time and again—whether solo or in collaborations, live or in the studio, in reggaetón or trap—that his sound comes naturally, like a snake shedding its skin. On *ELYTE*, the Puerto Rican legend showcases this ability once more, recruiting some of the biggest stars in the genre, along with rising talents aiming for the same heights. Leading the charge is Tego Calderón, followed by giants like Farruko and Maldy, rising stars like SAIKO and Luar La L, and frequent collaborators like Feid and Myke Towers. “This album reflects where I am as an artist,” says Yandel. “I feel like I\'m in my prime, at my peak. I’ve been blessed, and my music has transcended.” Across 19 tracks, he celebrates old-school reggaetón while also opening the door to other sounds, like dembow and trap. Here, he shares his thoughts on some of his favorite tracks from the album. **“PUÑO DE TITO”** “This track is really special because it captures my present. We managed to express a lot with a powerful beat. I chose it to open the album because it sets the right energy for my fans to enjoy what\'s to come. For me, creating an album is a huge responsibility. It’s impactful because it revolves around the stage of life I\'m in, and I always incorporate the musical trends my audience is supporting at that time.” **“REGGAETON MALANDRO”** “When I heard the finished track, all I could say was ‘Wow, this is incredible.’ When Nesty La Mente Maestra brought the song to me to work on together, I fell in love with it. It captures the essence of our golden era of reggaetón. At the same time, it shows where I am as an artist. I feel like I\'m in my prime, at my peak. I’ve been blessed, but each day I have to work even harder, and experience helps me adapt to the necessary changes.” **“OLD SCHOOL” feat. Farruko** “I met up with Farruko in Las Vegas, and we spent hours in the studio together until we recorded a couple of songs. This one in particular stood out to us because the lyrics reflect how the genre was growing while we were growing up in Puerto Rico. We\'ve been doing this for a long time, and it takes a lot of discipline. From the first day I performed at a show and got paid to bring my music to fans, I realized I needed to establish a routine. Like in any regular job, I go to the studio every day to create music.” **“HABLAME CLARO”** “I remember the day we recorded this track—I was in Los Angeles and Tainy showed up at the studio with this amazing song. He worked on it with ICON, and the rest is history. For me, innovation is always a priority. For us artists, it\'s impossible to completely change our style, because it\'s part of our DNA. But we can make the right adjustments to connect with new generations.” **“BORRACHO Y LOCO” feat. Myke Towers** “Myke is more than a colleague; he’s a friend. I admire his talent and have enjoyed watching him constantly grow. ‘BORRACHO Y LOCO’ was the first single we released from this album, more than a year before the full record dropped. I’m super fortunate to have Myke\'s support. The sound we\'ve developed together is amazing.”