For those that don’t know already, Messiah El Artista was making some pretty impressive moves last year. He sold out Stage 48 and played Madison Square Garden 3 times. He received open praise from both Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam. Rubbed shoulders with Jay-Z and 50 cent. The New York raised Dominican artist (also known as the Spanish remix king) flipped the script on his critics, switching to completely original composition, from the Spanish remix of what’s banging route. The track “Ay” was a promising offer from the upcoming album, and was gaining momentum, establishing him as an up and coming hopeful on the world stage. When his debut full length album “Made in Europe” came out this summer, it seems that the hype has since quieted down. Out in the Dominican Republic (where he was among the top 5 selling artists) you don’t hear the joints on the playlist. Not so many interviews or even much promo for the much anticipated album. Still it receives praise and as as an artist in general he still gets his props. Still described as an up and comer. Just that compared to his skyrocketed success of last year the impact from his first album dropping hasn’t been felt the same. Could it be that in trying to silence the critics he alienated his fan base? Perhaps the Latino remix was what wanted we wanted from him. Perhaps he lost the support of the Latino Hiphop movement, in declaring himself as the leader? Some may have taken offense and found him too arrogant. He is after all, a newcomer in his 20’s, in a game full of established names. Here in the Dominican its possible that his attitude towards the rappers (calling them sellouts for making Dembow) may have cost him support in his native country. Even though he has them featured on some joints it may have been perceived as insulting. So far the album isn’t getting the worldwide attention that was expected. It’s been getting press in relation to a fashion campaign tie-in with Sean John but not much else. Perhaps in this fast paced everything- must –come- now industry we expect too much progress for such a short time? With the variety of production and styles on the album it doesn’t have a distinct sound or style; it’s all over the place. It seems as though it was made to have something for everyone. Not everyone wants to be with everyone else, and this may be another case of trying to please everybody. Which runs the risk of making no one happy. Maybe 2017 will see a return for the kid!
