Diplo‘s Major Lazer unveils “Que Calor,” featuring J Balvin and Dominican dembow pioneer El Alfa.
Following previous collaborations with both featured artists “Que Calor” takes inspiration from each of their home countries, sampling Toto La Momposina‘s traditional Colombian-cumbia classic “Curara” and Dominican dembow rhythms. The Jamaica-via-Dominican Republic cousin of reggaeton is rooted in dancehall riddims and hip-hop sounds and has been taking the Latin world by storm thanks in large part to El Alfa and his collaborators.
Directed by VMA and BET Award winner Colin Tilley (Kendrick Lamar, Future, Nicki Minaj) and choreographed by fellow VMA winner Calvit Hodge, the video stars Major Lazer’s Diplo and Ape Drums as well as Balvin and El Alfa alongside two of the band’s legendary Lazer Gyals, Sara Bivens and Helen Gedlu.
The new track follows summer release “Make It Hot” featuring Brazilian superstar Anitta and is the latest from Major Lazer’s forthcoming and highly-anticipated fourth album. The tracks are the latest examples of a rising trend of collaborations between Latin music’s biggest stars and global dance artists, and a continuation of Major Lazer’s longstanding celebration of Latin music, notably with the Daddy Yankee remix of their 2013 smash “Bumaye,” and collaborations with Machel Montano, Kali Uchis, Pabllo Vittar and more.