King of Kings

Having sold over 1 million copies of his first 2 albums, The Last Don and The Last Don Live, Don Omar's reggaeton's King Of Kings will release his much anticipated second studio album The King Of Kings as only he can. The King of Kings is Reggaeton with style elements from Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Hip Hop and ballads. There are just some of the hits that Don Omar has presented as part of his production The King Of Kings. Don Omar has created a musical empire for his fans; the same fans that crowned him King Of Kings.

The self-aggrandizing title and cover art may indicate otherwise, but Don Omar's King of Kings isn't your average reggaeton mash-up. Most genre stars (Daddy Yankee, Voltio, Wisin & Yandel) diffuse their heady personas with weak vocals, insipid lyrics, and repetitive arrangements. Omar, however, is an entirely different animal. King of Kings is a dark, adventurous journey through reggaeton, supplemented by surprising rhythms and a careful selection of collaborators. Hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari adds urban elegance to "Intro-Predica," and Juelz Santana brings a genuine grit to "Conteo." King of Kings also finds Omar experimenting with creative variations on the reggaeton sound. "Ojitos Chiquitos" benefits from a moody Middle Eastern vibe, and "Cuentale" soars via a start-stop salsa hybrid. Omar slows things down during "Tu No Sabes," a piano-driven tale of heartbreak; and "Candela" incorporates reggaeton beats into a searing rock arrangement. Omar's former life as a preacher has obviously influenced his lyrics (which touch on religion, love, and life's hardships), but it's also given him a heady, passionate approach to music. There are lighter moments of standard reggaeton and dance hall, but even those simmer with intensity. Omar's vocals aren't always strong--particularly during the slower moments--but King of Kings stands tall amid so many throwaway reggaeton releases. We'll allow him a few moments of boastful frivolity. --Joey Guerra