Milly Quezada habla de Reggaeton Reggaeton!

Merengue star grooves to reggaeton

Orlando residents this weekend can expect to shake their bon-bons and whatever else they can jiggle with one of Latin America's best-known dance icons, Milly Quezada. The internationally known "Queen of Merengue" headlines the Nuestro Ritmo festival Sunday at Tinker Field to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Decades before Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin rocked their hips in front of millions of screaming fans, Dominican-born Quezada was busy belting out the tropical merengue tunes once popular only among Latin male singers.

"My career spans more than 25 years, and I've recorded 28 albums. I'm considered a pioneer in merengue music," says Quezada. "Folks, leave your high heels and platform shoes at home, and come barefoot if you want to because we're going to dance all day long." The colorful Quezada can trace her musical roots back to her homeland. As a small child in the Dominican Republic, Quezada remembers singing at family gatherings.

She later moved to New York City with her parents and surrounded herself with merengue and salsa singers in the Latino barrios. It was there she developed her love for merengue. She joined a merengue band in the '80s, but soon embarked on a solo career in Puerto Rico. Since then, Quezada has enjoyed international stardom. In 2003, she won a Latin Grammy for best merengue album.

Quezada, now in her 50s, not only is aware of the sea change in Latin music but has tested those waters.

In 2005, the merengue singer released her first reggaeton single, "Mala Palabra" ("Bad Word"), off her album MQ. Reggaeton is a catchy form of music from the Caribbean, popularized by Puerto Rican sensation and Latin Grammy winner Daddy Yankee, which combines genres, including hip-hop.

The singer says that reggaeton's popularity in the Caribbean not only has ensured its longevity overseas but also a growing interest among listeners in the United States. She says it has had a positive effect on other Latin American musical styles.

"I see that because of reggaeton, more non-Hispanics now are interested in Latin music," says Quezada. "Reggaeton has the power to gather audiences, and the U.S. market is very well aware of that."

Since breaking her contract recently with her label, J&N Records, Quezada feels liberated and eager to tackle more independent projects.

As a free agent this year, she released "Ella" ("Her"), a cover of contemporary Spanish-born singer Bebe. Although the single can be heard only in the Dominican Republic, Quezada plans to release a full-length album internationally in 2007.

The multitalented Quezada doesn't shrug off the idea of releasing an album in English either, as have other Latin American merengue performers. Dominican-born Juan Luis Guerra is currently working on an English-language record for U.S. release.

"I admire what Marc Anthony has achieved on an international level and what Juan Luis Guerra is accomplishing," Quezada says. "As an icon, you have the ability to move people, and I think that through music you can bridge all styles, cultures and ideologies."