Story / Phil Gomez
Photos / WAIV
Puerto Rican powerhouse Álvaro Díaz is riding high, reaching new heights with two first-time Latin GRAMMY nominations, affirming his place in the upper echelons of Latin music. His sophomore album Sayonara has snagged a nomination for Best Urban Music Album, while his infectious hit “BYAK” featuring Rauw Alejandro is in the running for Best Reggaeton Performance. With accolades piling up, Díaz’s reign as one of Latin urban music’s leading voices is clear.
Sayonara is not only winning over critics but also making major commercial waves. The album has officially gone gold in the U.S., racking up over 400 million streams globally. Meanwhile, “BYAK” has hit platinum status, further solidifying Díaz’s crossover appeal. Critics have dubbed Sayonara one of the best Latin urban albums of 2024. For Díaz, seeing the album on so many “best of the year” lists was both surprising and validating. “I was hoping for that but didn’t expect it,” he says. “It’s a real blessing.”
Fresh off his sold-out Sayonara tour, which packed venues coast-to-coast from LA to NYC, Díaz’s creative momentum shows no signs of slowing down. He is a fixture not just on the music charts but also on the fashion runways, blending his signature style with his sound. His recent appearance at Men’s Fashion Week turned heads, as he walked for PDF Channel and sat front row at Kid Super, and Comme des Garçons. His dynamic presence in both fashion and music has only fueled his evolution. “When creating a song, I can really see what I will put on myself for the video or photoshoot,” Díaz shares. “I think that’s what makes Álvaro Díaz, Álvaro Díaz. I always try to make everything make sense.”
Collaboration has been a key to Díaz’s artistic growth. From working with reggaeton giants like FEID and Tainy to his latest project with Nathy Peluso on “XQ ERES ASÍ,” Díaz thrives in fusing sounds from across the musical spectrum. His synergy with Peluso was instant, despite their stylistic differences. “We love a lot of mutual music,” Díaz says of the collaboration. “We tried almost 10 ideas, but XQ ERES ASÍ was the one that clicked. She brought out the melodic Nathy that I love, and it made me go in a melodic direction too.”
As Díaz continues to push the boundaries of Latin trap and reggaeton, his focus remains on creating music that feels authentic. “There are a lot of songs out there that sound the same,” he says. “What I hope for is that people create their own sound and stop just trying to get numbers. I think the future of reggaeton and trap will be about that—the artists that stay true to themselves will be the ones that rise.”
And rise, he has. Díaz’s journey—from topping the charts to walking major runways—is only just the beginning. His vision for the future is as bold as his sound: creating music with intention, staying true to his unique style, and continuing to challenge the boundaries of Latin music. With Sayonara still blazing and new projects on the horizon, Díaz is an unstoppable force, proving he’s here to stay.
