Ivy Queen released her new album, “Vendetta,” in four different styles. (Photo by Sergi Alexander/Getty Images for Billboard)
Remember back when Daddy Yankee’s reggaeton anthem “Gasolina” came galloping out of Puerto Rico and onto the American pop charts, becoming a hit of hemisphere-devouring proportions, spurring pop forecasters to declare this globe-thumping new genre as the future?
Well, check it out, that future came true. Exactly 10 summers after “Gasolina” went ka-boom, reggaeton can still be heard ka-booming out of nightclubs, baseball stadiums and open car windows everywhere.
[Sunday at Echostage: Future looks prolific]
For further proof of its durability, swing by the Patriot Center on Saturday when a slew of heavyweights are slated to perform at the Latin Explosion concert, sponsored by local radio station El Zol (107.9 FM). Genre superstar Yandel, taking a solo break from his duo Wisin y Yandel, stands at the top of a bill filled with other stars, including J. Alvarez and Alexis y Fido.
Also performing: one of reggaeton’s most commanding vocalists and its most underrated pioneer, Ivy Queen. She never eclipsed the fame of Daddy Yankee or Don Omar, but her music still thrills thanks to its tenacity and versatility. To wit, Ivy Queen recently released her new album, “Vendetta,” in four different stylistic iterations, each subtitled by the genre toward which it skewed: “Salsa,” “Hip-hop,” “Bachata” and “Urban.” Needless to say, the woman taking the stage on Saturday is one of a kind.
Latin Explosion, featuring Yandel, J. Alvarez, Alexis y Fido, Ivy Queen, Andy Andy, Zion & Lennox, De La Ghetto, Angel & Khriz, Jowell & Randy, Messiah, Jory Boy, El Chevo and Sahara. Saturday at 7 p.m. Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Cir., Fairfax. 703-993-3000. www.patriotcenter.com. $35-$185.
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