AFTER SEVEN YEARS, GLOBAL POP PHENOMENON ENRIQUE IGLESIAS GIFTS US WITH AN IRRESISTIBLE STUDIO ALBUM, FINAL VOL. 1, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY EMBARKING ON A NORTH AMERICAN LIVE TOUR.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALAN SILFEN

There are only a select number of musicians in the world who are able to achieve the prestige of superstar status on a prodigious scale that impacts history and generations of the past, present and future. Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, to name a few, have achieved this status. Recently, artists like Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish are paving history for this generation.

However, no one has quite been able to surpass the immense level of bilingual fame that living icon Enrique Iglesias (@enriqueiglesias) has, transcending borders and languages, all the while making history. Serving as the most influential singer-songwriter of our time, he’s achieved unparalleled success in the English-Spanish music crossover. As a true pioneer in the genre, his musical genius has set the stage for younger Latin artists to come up on the scene and achieve widespread notoriety and fame, particularly in the last three years.

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Now, the star is reemerging in a massive way—debuting not only his first studio album since 2014, titled Final Vol. 1, but he’s also reclaiming the stage in the most epic fashion, teaming up with fellow Latin icon Ricky Martin on a North American Tour, ENRIQUE & RICKY LIVE! Tapping Sebastian Yatra—the 26-year-old Latin pop star beloved for his smooth ballads and reggaeton singles—the iconic trio beautifully blends the old guard with the new, granting fans the opportunity to be part of a momentous live tour that brings the best of the genre to center stage around the country.

Following the 2020 lockdowns, the tour was undeniably kismet for the two legends.

“Ricky is such a talented artist, and there has always been a mutual respect between us for what the other does,” Iglesias notes. “We talked about the idea of touring together for some time, and when the chance finally came about, we both jumped on the opportunity.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALAN SILFEN

After going without live music for over a year, the artists are reinvigorated with a fresh energy that breathes new life into hit singles that we’ve known and loved for decades.

“The most incredible part of this show is seeing the fans enjoying themselves and having a great time again. There is no way to describe the feeling of having 15,000 people singing along with you—in a weird way, it’s as if you are connected to every single one of them.”

While both Iglesias and Martin serve as OGs in the industry, Yatra is only at the start of a spectacular career that he hopes will put him on a similar trajectory as his tour headliners.

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“Sebastian has his whole career ahead of him and he is really killing it,” Iglesias notes. Humble as ever, he doesn’t credit himself as the inspiration behind the young star’s career, but he does share, “Yatra has declared that he has followed and looked up to me throughout his life—I’m very honored by that.”

Like Yatra, millions upon millions of fans have looked up to the musical icon since the early ’90s. Maintaining his status and respect in the industry has allowed him the luxury of staying out of the spotlight unlike the rising talent, but he does note that with all change comes opportunity for growth.

“As an industry, the new digital era is of course the biggest change we’ve experienced in most recent years. In the past, you would have a hit and then sell a lot of albums. People would then get to know a group of songs as a whole. Now, it’s a more single-driven market,” he notes. “On the other hand, you had ‘harder’ goalkeepers back in the day, and now, you can reach millions and billions instantly.”

This leaves great opportunity for aspiring talent to have their artistry heard throughout the world. However, it also brings a new wave of responsibility that comes with the digital limelight and social media, granting fans direct access and commentary to the personal lives of these figures.

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“I think social media is great for the direct contact you have with the fans. When it comes down to more personal stuff , I’ve always tried to maintain a private life. That’s how I’ve always been. But having all these avenues to share both work and personality things with the fans is definitely a plus,” he says.

Fiercely private in his personal life, Iglesias chooses to enjoy time with his family in Miami—his wife, Anna Kournikova, and three children, Lucy, Mary and Nicholas. Since embarking back on the live tour and simultaneously releasing his latest album, he’s obviously had to find a new balance of workfamily life—but he keeps the latter a priority above all else.

“It’s been amazing spending so much time with my family. However, I missed being out on the road a lot. I had a show earlier this year in France, and it was my first show since the pandemic. I was super nervous! But it’s like riding a bike, you never forget it,” he admits. “I fly back home in between shows as much as I can and try to squeeze in every chance I can get to spend time with my family while we’re traveling on the road.”

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When he’s home in Miami, you won’t see him frequenting any of the city’s popular destinations. Rather, he prefers to keep it simple and appreciate the natural beauty surrounding him.

“I’m more of a free spirit,” he admits. “When I’m in Miami, I love going out on the boat and escaping everything—sometimes alone, sometimes with the family or other times with my dogs. But I love how the city is constantly growing and changing.”

Similar to the music industry that claims a major portion of his heart, he embraces the change with an open mind and an appreciation for innovation. On his latest album, Final Vol 1, you’ll find collaborations with young reggaeton and urban artists like Bad Bunny, Farruko and Myke Towers on “El Baño,” “Me Pase” and “Chasing the Sun,” respectively. You’ll also find the aptly titled “Move to Miami,” which he released with fellow 305 king Pitbull in 2018.

“[My collaborations on this album] are all with incredible and talented artists. It’s always great to work with other people, especially if they are from a different genre. They bring their own taste and vibe to the songs. And I’m always trying to take my songs to the best they can be as long as nothing feels forced,” he notes.

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Altogether, Final Vol. 1 is the culmination of many years’ worth of work into one beautiful opus that brings fans back to the glory days of “Bailando” to “Hero” and everything in between—with a fresh new twist.

While he has one remaining album left in his contract with Sony—Final Vol. 2—we can rest assured that this does not mean the Iglesias magic will come to an end.

“I feel like there’s so much music in me. So, I will continue to write and make music. It has given me so much in my life and it has always been my passion.” Cue: “Bailamos.”