Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise: Christian Alicea Talks Puerto Rican Heritage

As Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise, Christian Alicea talks about the importance of his Puerto Rican heritage and his love for salsa music. Watch the singer reflect on his rising star.

Christian Alicea:
Family, how are you? This is Christian Alicea, and I am Billboard’s Latin Artist on the Rise. My passion for music was born through my family. I am the youngest in my household, and when I was growing up, I saw that my dad was a musician. My two older brothers are musicians. I grew up with that musical vein. It was impossible to stray into any other area aside from music. I believe that my passion for music is thanks to my family. My first musical inspirations has always been artists who make very tropical music. Elvis Crespo is never forgotten. Marc Anthony, La India, which is influenced by my mother. 

La India:
I like that you show what you are. You are a musician, you go out, you do your thing, you perform, you do what you have to do. 

Christian Alicea:
The fact that I’m Puerto Rican, I believe influences a lot of things from the way we are raised, the way we communicate, the music we listen to, the slang we use. We love rhythm. We love everything that has a sound, everything that moves us. And I think something that characterizes the energy of the Boricua, I don’t know, I think it’s a lot of things, plus the history, which, thanks to many of those who started the music in Puerto Rico … We are now given the light to do many things and represent it with great pride. 

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