Ever wondered if there’s something in the waters of Puerto Rico? As Latin music takes over the world, from pop and reggaeton to EDM, Puerto Rican artists like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna and Farruko have become household names, walking in the footsteps of titans like Julio Iglesias and Ricky Martin. So what is it about this island that makes it such a musical hotbed? EDM Nomad caught up with Brazilian singer, writer and producer Billy Ronca, who moved to Puerto Rico ten years ago after growing up across the pond in Europe. With a new single out on the FLAMENCA Records imprint with label boss STBAN, Ronca says that Puerto Rica has been a huge influence for him musically. We caught up with him to find out more about the new music and about the island that inspires him, and so many others, so much…
Congrats on the new FLAMENCA Records track “Yamekite” with label boss STBAN, how did that come about?
STBAN works very closely with one of the producers I’ve collaborated with for years, Koston, who was actually one of the first people to introduce me to the professional music world. He connected us because they genuinely believed our musical fusion could create something special. We met, immediately connected creatively, and from there the idea for “Yamekite” was born very naturally.
What was the production process like working with STBAN?
It was honestly an incredible experience. I already had the main concept and emotional direction for the song in my mind for a while, but I didn’t yet have the instrumental or the right sonic universe for it. I showed them the idea, and from there we built the entire production together around that vision, the instrumental, the atmosphere, the creative direction. Once everything felt right, I recorded the track and it all came together very organically.
You’re based out in Puerto Rico right now, tell us about Puerto Rico, what’s it like?
Life in Puerto Rico is incredible. Inspiration is everywhere on the island. It’s a place that’s extremely rich culturally, with influences coming from many different musical backgrounds, not just urban music, but all kinds of sounds and traditions. There are talented people everywhere you go. The energy, the weather, the food, the people, everything about the island feels vibrant and alive.
How influential has the island been on your own music style?
Puerto Rico has influenced my music tremendously. It’s not only the climate or the lifestyle, but also the experiences and stories you live there that naturally inspire creativity. It’s a place I deeply love and where I’ve now spent more than ten years of my life, so of course it shaped my writing and my artistic identity. The island changed the way I see music and the way I express emotions through my songs.
If we visited, what three places would you recommend we visit to really get a taste of Puerto Rican musicality?
I would definitely say San Juan first, because it’s really the center of Puerto Rican musical culture. That’s where salsa, reggaeton, bomba and so many important movements have evolved. You can feel the influence of legendary artists like Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny or Tego Calderón everywhere in the city.
I’d also recommend visiting La Perla, which is one of the most iconic places on the island. A lot of incredibly talented artists who changed the history of urban music came from there, and you can still feel that raw artistic energy in the streets.
Another place I’d recommend is Ponce. It has a much more traditional atmosphere, but it’s deeply connected to salsa and Afro-Puerto Rican music culture. It gives you a different perspective of Puerto Rican musical roots.
And honestly, places like La Placita or Barrio Obrero in Santurce are amazing too if you want to experience the nightlife, the dancing, the “perreo” culture, live music, and the real Puerto Rican atmosphere.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance put Puerto Rico in the global spotlight for music. Are there any artists coming through the ranks who you think we should keep an eye out for?
Absolutely, and not only in Puerto Rico. Right now, the Spanish-speaking music scene as a whole is exploding creatively. Countries like Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Puerto Rico are producing artists with completely different sounds and identities, and social media is helping these new generations reach global audiences much faster.
In Puerto Rico specifically, there are many rising talents doing amazing work. Artists like Omar Courtz are really dominating their lane right now. Artists like Dei V are also making major moves, and Clarent is another artist with huge potential. There’s a new wave of talent coming from the island and it’s exciting to watch.
As well as Urban Latin, you’re also known for producing and writing reggaeton music. How popular is reggaeton on the island and what’s the reggaeton community like?
Reggaeton is basically the foundation of modern Urban Latin music. Even movements like Latin trap, which became massive around 2016, were created by artists who grew up heavily influenced by reggaeton culture.
So even when we experiment with other genres like trap, rap or alternative sounds, reggaeton is always present in some way, whether rhythmically, culturally or emotionally. It’s part of the DNA of almost everything we create in Latin urban music today.
You work under the WolfFlow Music label from Baby Rasta y Gringo. How did that partnership come about and what work have you done together?
We’ve worked on so many projects together that it would honestly be difficult to list them all. I first started working with them as a songwriter and composer, and little by little I was able to prove myself creatively by participating in the writing and development of multiple important records.
For example, I actively contributed to songs connected to the Baby Rasta & Jon Z project, as well as records like “Nunca Me Amó” with Baby Rasta. I also participated in the composition process for “Soy Un Puto” by Noriel and Baby Rasta from the Trap Capos project, along with many other songs released on important albums that received major recognition.
I’ve also worked with Baby Rasta y Gringo on newer projects, collaborations and albums involving internationally recognized artists, which has been an amazing experience for my growth as both a writer and artist.
What’s your favourite thing about Puerto Rico aside from the music?
The people, more than anything else. The mentality, the warmth, the way people welcome you. Of course I love the food and the climate too, but the human side of Puerto Rico is what impacted me the most.
Puerto Ricans are incredibly open-minded, welcoming and generous people. From day one, they embraced me with open arms and made me feel like one of their own.
If you had to sum up Puerto Rico in just three sentences to someone who’s never been before, what would you say?
First: unforgettable, because once you step foot on the island, you feel a kind of magic that stays with you forever.
Second: inspiring, Puerto Rico is full of incredibly talented and resourceful people. Puerto Ricans always find a way to take something that already exists and transform it into something unique and even greater. That’s why people say “Puerto Rico lo hace mejor,” and honestly, I think there’s a lot of truth to that. Reggaeton itself is proof of that creativity.
And third: home, because after spending so many years there, Puerto Rico genuinely feels like home to me. Even though I travel constantly now, I still have my life there, and I miss the island deeply whenever I’m away.
