Rvssian upbeat about Latin Grammy nomination
There’s a Jamaican element among this year’s nominees in the Latin Grammy Awards.
Nominations for the 24th staging were announced on Tuesday.
Jamaican producer Tarik Johnston, better known as Rvssian, produced the track Ron Cola by Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and Subelo NEO.
The song is featured on Rauw Alejandro’s multi-platinum-selling album Saturno, which is nominated in the category Best Urban Music Album.
The other nominees in the Best Urban Music Album category are Xtassy by Akapellah, 3Men2 Kbrn by Eladio Carrion, Feliz Cumpleanos Ferxxo Te Pirateamos El Album by Feid, Manana Sera Bonito by Karol G, and Alma by Nicki Nicole.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, Rvssian explained how the collaboration with Rauw Alejandro came about.
“Rauw was in Miami finishing up the album and he said he wanted a dancehall track for it, and so myself and some other producers, we basically put it together. They wanted that extra Jamaican touch to give it that authentic feel and they brought out the reggaeton side. So it was a collaborative effort,” said Rvssian.
Rvssian had previously worked with Rauw Alejandro on the multi-platinum-selling single Nostalgico, which dented several European and Billboard Latin charts in 2021. The song also features American R&B singer Chris Brown.
“Working with Rauw was very easy. We have a good chemistry and he’s like one of my real friends. Everything usually flows well. And we share similar ideas and visions. So, overall, it was very easy,” Rvssian disclosed.
The album Saturno, released in November 2022 via Sony Latin, has 18 tracks. It opened with first week sales of over 19,000 equivalent units. It peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, #2 on Latin Albums, #2 on Latin Rhythm Albums, and #2 in Spain.
Saturno has been certified platinum (Latin) by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales exceeding 60,000 units, platinum in Spain (40,000), and gold in Mexico (70,000).
The Latin Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on November 16 in Spain.
Edgar Barrera leads with 13 nominations followed by Shakira, Keityn, Camilo, and Karol G with seven nods each.