Washington D.C.-raised Dominican trapero Fuego has announced his signing to Universal Music Latin, joining a who’s who of major urbano artists on the roster. As one the pioneers of the current Latin trap moment, Fuego’s signing marks a formative moment for the genre, proof positive that a sound once confined to online virality has assumed a place in the music industry’s panorama.
Industry headlines aside, the far more momentous news for Fuego fans is that his new album – the follow-up to cult hit Fireboy Forever II – will be released on June 22. According to a press release, the LP is titled Libre: Fireboy Forever and will feature production work by a diverse group of studio heads; Eminem and Lil Wayne producer DVLP, Medellín sound architect Sky, Spanish trap innovator Steve Lean, and Luyo, Fireboy II collaborator and founder of Craft Studios. A partial track list released by the label promised extensive pop culture references, with songs entitled “Obama” and “Lewinsky.”
Fuego’s business decision was forecasted with a string of singles with mainstream collaborators, including the pop-friendly “We the Funk” with producer Dillon Francis. In the past, Fuego has worked with Farruko, Zion & Lennox, and Pitbull, and J Balvin. In a 2017 interview with Remezcla, he predicted his success as an industry trendsetter. “I’m always going to stand out because I’m great at creating the sounds and making something different – something way left of everything else out there.”
Fuego signed with Universal’s Transcend.ent division, which was behind three tracks off Balvin’s Energía LP.