My fascination with Latino culture took root during my law school days when I lived in the Dominican Republic for a transformative period. While the entire experience resonated deeply, it was the music that truly ignited my soul. Bachata, in particular, struck a chord within me. I vividly remember a kind, elderly man in the sugarcane fields outside Santo Domingo, who, during his brief respite from work, patiently taught me the basic steps of this captivating dance. His name escapes me now, but his impact on my life remains indelible.
This deep connection to Dominican culture and music led me to another life-altering encounter, this time with a Dominican artist whose songs have been the soundtrack to my life for years – Prince Royce. His music has been a constant companion through life’s highs and lows, shared with loved ones in their own moments of joy and sorrow. I’ve danced to his rhythms, sung along in the shower, and even used his music to pump myself up before important speeches. Inspired by his artistry and impact, I reached out to him, hoping to share his story. He graciously agreed.
Prince Royce has become a global phenomenon in Latin music. Garnering Grammy awards and consistently topping Billboard charts with his signature Bachata sound, his music transcends borders. Known for taking bold steps, he ventured into the English music market, collaborating with major artists like Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg, and Pitbull. He further solidified his mainstream presence by touring with Ariana Grande to promote his album, Double Vision.
However, Prince Royce’s journey to stardom began far from the glitz and glamour. He was raised in the Bronx, New York, in a housing project. His parents, immigrants from the Dominican Republic, arrived in the United States with very little. His father worked tirelessly as a taxi driver and factory worker, while his mother balanced jobs in a salon and a factory. They remain his pillars of strength and inspiration. Intrigued by his journey, his creative process, and the values that drive him, I prepared a series of questions, aiming to delve into aspects of his life rarely explored. When I mentioned this to him, his enthusiastic “woot woot, hooray!” set the tone for our conversation – his energy is infectious and undeniably authentic. Here are the key insights he shared.
1. Invest Your First $10,000 in Your Dream, Just Like Prince Royce Did with His Music
At just 13 years old, Prince Royce knew his path lay in music and entertainment. By 14, the necessity of a demo CD became clear – a gateway to the stage. The estimated cost? $10,000. This sum would cover hiring musicians for authentic bachata instrumentation, studio rental, equipment fees, and securing an agent. Undeterred, at 16, Royce took a job at a local Sprint store. For two years, he diligently saved every penny. Upon reaching his $10,000 goal, he invested it directly into his dream: musicians, studio time, and an agent. This investment yielded his first demo, which evolved into his debut album. That album soared to number one on both the US Billboard Tropical Albums and Latin Albums charts and became the best-selling Latin album in the United States in 2011. A testament to a worthwhile investment, indeed, and the beginning of his incredible catalog of Prince Royce Songs.
2. Visualize Your Desired Life: A Principle Behind Prince Royce’s Songwriting Success
I asked Prince Royce if he could have imagined his current life back when he was a 15-year-old in the Bronx. “It’s funny you ask, because I did,” he confessed. “Every night before sleep and every morning upon waking, I pictured myself on stage, my music reaching people worldwide, becoming the soundtrack to their celebrations.” He emphasized the crucial element beyond visualization: consistent action. “I went to sleep dreaming about it and woke up thinking about it, but here is the key. I spent every minute of my days doing one thing that got me closer, then another, then another.” This daily dedication, coupled with his vivid vision, is a powerful lesson applicable to any field, much like the consistent quality found in Prince Royce songs throughout his career.
3. Hustle is Non-Negotiable for Success: A Core Value Reflected in Prince Royce’s Journey
This part of our conversation resonated deeply. This young man from the Bronx had poured his entire life savings into his demo. “Just because I had a demo didn’t mean anything. No one ever heard of me, and having a demo didn’t change that,” Prince Royce explained. He understood that the demo was merely the first step. He embarked on a relentless hustle to get his music heard. He burned hundreds of CDs and slipped them under apartment doors across New York City. He serenaded girls on the streets, handed out flyers at parades and festivals, rollerbladed through Manhattan distributing CDs with his cousins, and sought out any television appearances to perform covers of popular songs. “I took any opportunity I could find to get in front of a camera and microphone,” he shared. He attributes this hustler mindset to his Dominican heritage, citing his aunts and uncles who immigrated to the U.S. with nothing and built successful lives through sheer hard work. This relentless drive is evident in his career trajectory and the consistent release of new Prince Royce songs and albums.
4. Dare to Innovate and Be Bold: Prince Royce’s Approach to Bachata Music
Bachata music has enjoyed enduring popularity, yet its traditional instrumentation remained largely unchanged for decades. Prince Royce decided to break the mold. He incorporated a ukulele into “Darte un Beso” and introduced violins and cellos into “Soy El Mismo,,” elements previously unheard of in Bachata. “Everyone told me I was crazy for trying to do something different with Bachata. Violins? Cellos? A ukulele? It will never work, they told me.” However, these very songs, defying expectations, have garnered over 1 billion views combined. His advice is clear: “Whenever I see someone else copying my musical style, I think NO, do something new. Make me wish I would have thought about what you are doing.” This spirit of innovation is what keeps Prince Royce songs fresh and exciting.
Prince Royce performing on stage
5. Cultivate Daily Creativity: The Foundation of Prince Royce’s Songwriting Process
Since the age of 13, Prince Royce has made daily writing a practice. This doesn’t necessarily mean composing a full song each day, but consistently capturing lyrics, ideas, and melodies. When asked about his creative process for song production, he revealed that melodies usually come first, followed by lyrics, and then the musical arrangement. He draws lyrical inspiration from diverse sources – personal experiences, family stories, and observations of friends. “I’ve used lyrics I wrote years ago for new songs. The key is to have a lot of content written down somewhere that you can pull from. I have pages and pages of ideas and words that I can tap into at any time.” This decade-plus discipline of daily writing provides a rich wellspring of creativity, constantly fueling the creation of new Prince Royce songs.
6. Embrace Multidimensionality and Resist Complacency: Prince Royce’s Genre-Bending Career
Few Latin singer-songwriters have successfully recorded full albums in both Spanish and English. Prince Royce stands out as a prominent artist who has achieved this crossover. While deeply passionate about Bachata, appreciating its dual nature for both upbeat dancing and romantic expression, he recognized the limitations of staying within one genre. He took the risk of creating an English album, a move that led to collaborations with J Lo, Snoop Dogg, and Pitbull – partnerships that might not have materialized had he remained solely within the Spanish music sphere. This willingness to explore different musical dimensions and challenge himself defines his artistic evolution and broadens the appeal of Prince Royce songs to a wider audience.
7. Prioritize Your Audience: A Fan-Focused Approach Seen in Prince Royce’s Performances
“Sometimes there’s pressure to rush through a show, but I always try to put myself in my fans’ shoes,” Prince Royce emphasized. “They spent their hard-earned money to be here. They could have chosen to do anything else, but they decided to spend their time with me.” Even performing a song for the thousandth time, he consciously connects with his audience. “I think about the people in the audience, and I think about my 15-year-old self in the projects in the Bronx dreaming of this day. This gives me energy, the crowd gives me energy, the people give me energy.” This genuine appreciation for his fans and their dedication fuels his performances and ensures that each concert is a memorable experience, strengthening the bond between Prince Royce songs and his listeners.
8. Cultivate a Positive Community: A Vision for Uplifting Communities Like the Bronx
Growing up in the Bronx, Prince Royce observed a discouraging dynamic where ambition was often viewed negatively. “Friends” sometimes discouraged academic success, even favoring illicit activities. He couldn’t grasp why friends wouldn’t support each other’s aspirations. This experience motivated him to seek ways to foster collaboration, entrepreneurship, and collective success. As his career progressed and he met more people, he witnessed the power of collaboration and shared ambition. When asked how to inspire communities like the Bronx to embrace this positive energy, Prince Royce suggested, “Maybe start by saying, what can we do together?” He also highlighted the stimulating environment of cities like New York City and LA, where ambition is palpable. Magic happens when you move there, he believes, as these environments are filled with individuals driven to achieve.
9. Embrace Experience as the Ultimate Teacher: Prince Royce’s Path to Mastery
Prince Royce actively sought out experiences to learn and grow. Early in his career, he performed karaoke in bars and clubs, even when audiences were sparse. These experiences, whether performing for a handful of people or navigating challenging sound systems, taught him invaluable lessons – how to connect with an intimate audience, manage performances despite technical difficulties, and maintain energy even after setbacks. He encourages aspiring musicians to consistently release content, network widely, and leverage social media. “If you put something out there constantly, meet more and more people, and learn from every experience, this sets you apart from everyone else who just talks about being a musician.” This hands-on approach, learning by doing, is crucial for developing true mastery, just as Prince Royce honed his craft through years of performance and dedication to his music.
10. Remember Your Roots and Those Who Supported Your Ascent: Prince Royce’s Gratitude
Prince Royce emphasizes the importance of remembering those who contributed to your success. Although he didn’t have musical mentors within his immediate circle, he acknowledges the profound support of his parents, who immigrated to the U.S. seeking a better life and continue to guide him. He remembers his first employers at Sprint, who provided the job that enabled him to fund his demo. He even sang for his Sprint coworkers, seeking their honest feedback. He expresses gratitude for sound engineers who supported him even when he couldn’t afford them, agents who believed in him, and every person who listened to his music. He recognizes that his success is built upon a foundation of countless individuals and experiences.
Before concluding our interview, Prince Royce shared a revealing story. His debut single, “Corazon Sin Cara” (Heart Without a Face), a song about self-esteem, initially received no radio play and gained little traction. This led him to realize the public’s desire for novelty within familiarity. He partnered with Ben E. King to reimagine “Stand by Me” as a bachata song. The familiar melody, infused with a fresh Bachata rhythm, captivated listeners. People were intrigued by this “Prince Royce” and his unique sound. As “Stand by Me” gained popularity, he re-released “Corazon Sin Cara,” which quickly climbed to the top of the charts.
“We all need someone. No one should have to do it alone,” he stated, perhaps encapsulating the underlying message of “Stand by Me.”
Whether our stage is a kitchen table for a family of five, a small business serving a neighborhood, or a concert venue filled with thousands, we all share a fundamental desire:
To sing to someone who is listening. Someone who is learning, growing, and ultimately enriched by our performance.
Gracias, Prince Royce, for sharing this invaluable gift.
Brian Rashid is an international speaker and trainer on topics of leadership, storytelling, and the future of work. To contact him, please message: [email protected].
