Sentimiento (English: Feeling) is the sixth studio album by Puerto Rican recording artist Ivy Queen. It was released on March 27, 2007, by Univision Records. The album features production collaborations with several Puerto Rican music producers including Monserrate & DJ Urba, Noriega, and Luny Tunes. It also features vocal collaborations with Don Omar, Arcángel, Tito "El Bambino", Ken-Y, Randy and Naldo. The album includes solo performances by Baby Rasta, Divino, Mikey Perfecto, Naldo and Noriega. Musically, the album alternates between reggaetón, bolero, and salsa. The move in musical composition from reggaetón and hip hop is credited to Queen's evolution as a musical artist.
Sentimiento spawned four singles: "Que Lloren", "En Que Fallamos", "Sentimientos" and "Menor Que Yo", along with one promotional single, "Dime Si Recuerdas". The lead single "Que Lloren" was the best performing, reaching number ten on the Billboard Latin Songs chart, number four on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart, and number two on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Songs chart. Commercially, the album was a success. It debuted at number 105 on the Billboard 200, selling nine thousand copies in its first week. The album managed two weeks at number twenty-four on the Billboard Rap Albums chart as well. It also debuted at number four on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and number one on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums chart.
The album was nominated for "Best Urban Music Album at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2007. It received a nomination for "Reggaetón Album of the Year" at the 2008 Latin Billboard Music Awards, where "Que Lloren" also received a nomination for "Latin Dance Club Play Track of the Year". At the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards of 2008, Sentimiento was awarded "Urban Album of the Year". Ivy Queen received a Latin gold and platinum certification in the United States for a Sentimiento, signifying sales of over 100,000 copies. As of 2010, the album has sold over 154,000 copies in the United States.
Background In June 2005, Ivy Queen partnered with co-founder of Perfect Image Records, José Guadalupe to form Filtro Musik. This stemmed from Guadalupe parting ways with the other co-founder of Perfect Image, Anthony Pérez who in turn would launch his own label The Roof Records. Filtro Musik's concept initially stemmed from its name which means "filter" in English. Guadalupe explained the title, saying "I've been in this industry for 15 years now, and we have the ability to filter and pick the best". In the coming year, Univision Music Group signed the label to a licensing plan.
Ivy Queen was previously married to fellow reggaetón artist Omar Navarro, known by his stage name Gran Omar. They were divorced in 2005 shortly before the release of Flashback, which influenced the composition of the Sentimiento, which began soon after in late 2006. Following this, Cosa Nostra: Hip Hop (2006), a compilation album presented by Queen and Omar was released. Its lead single, "No Hacen Na" was performed by Queen and was released in July 2006. It peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Songs chart and number thirty on the Billboard Tropical Songs chart.
However, Navarro later stated that Queen had tricked him, and that she owed him money from the sales and production of the album . No legal action was taken, however. Navarro was invited by Jorge Guadalupe, Ivy Queen's manager to take legal action, as he has all the papers stating that there was no deception with the album. Guadalupe called Navarro "someone who misses the money and the high-life" he had while he was married to Queen. Navarro would also go on national television and accuse Queen of being unfaithful in their relationship on the television program Escándalo TV (Telefutura). He would also mention the accusations that Queen owed him money from the album as well on the program.
In early 2007, it was announced the Queen had signed an exclusive contract to release Sentimiento. "I’m super-proud to be a part of Univision Music Group. I’ve always felt like I was part of a family with them, because they handled my last album and they did an excellent job. They are a strong and important company who always respects its artists." she said. The feeling was mutual with Jose Behar, the President of Univision Music Group who said "it’s a privilege to have Ivy Queen be a part of our artistic talent. Ivy is a woman with incomparable talent, and she’s number one in her genre. We’re happy to be able to work with her on her new album and future projects as well."
Recording and production Following the release of Cosa Nostra: Hip Hop, Queen wanted to release a concept album which would have had Queen performing duets with female singers from different genres, entitled Drama Queen. However, this was changed and she began working on Sentimiento instead. Recording for Sentimiento took place at AQ-30 Studios in San Juan, Jesus In 2in Studios, Los Yedais Recording Studio, Mas Flow Studios in San Juan, Marroneo Studios in Bayamón, Sangre Nueva Studios in Carolina and Stani Recording Studio, all located in Puerto Rico.
Recording sessions for Sentimiento began in 2006, with Queen working day and night, according to Guadalupe. Production was divided among several Puerto Rican music producers including Monserrate & DJ Urba, Miguel "Escobar" Marquez, Andres "Zoprano" Arroyo, Isidro Infante, Mickey Perfecto, Stani, Marcos Sanchez, Rafy Mercenario, Noriega and Luny Tunes. Each track has a different producer. Collaborations include Don Omar on "Robarte Un Beso", Ken-Y on the remix of "En Que Fallamos" and Naldo, Arcángel & Tito "El Bambino" on the remix of "Que Lloren".
Music and lyrics
While recording and producing the album, Queen incorporated different musical instruments such as "strings, piano, acoustic ballads and romantic tunes". This was an attempt to prove that reggaetón is not just its basic rhythm. She explained "many think reggaetón is just nice rhythms to dance to. And they forget there are song-writers and composers, who, like everyone else, also suffer and aspire in love". She said "Love is what makes us write things, what keeps us alive. If we did not have love, we would have nothing". She acknowledged that the songs on the album were one way she dealt with the end of her eleven-year marriage. The lyrics focus on the experiences she has endured within the couple of years since the release of her previous studio album, which according to Queen were a "tough situation in her personal life". The ballads of the album "cover familiar topics — devotion, heartbreak, hope and reconciliation". Musically, the album alternates between reggaetón, bolero, and salsa.
"Qué Quieres Tú De Mí" is an acoustic guitar ballad which Queen covered in a minor-key; it features traditional Afro-Latin American influences. It was originally written in 1964 by Brazilian composers Evaldo Gouveia and Jair Amorim as "Que Queres Tu De Mim" for Brazilian singer Altemar Dutra. "Que Lloren" features minor key tonality, bowed strings, a string ensemble and elements of techno music. The song's lyrics show a woman's view of romance and belittles the stereotype that men shouldn't show emotions. The mid-tempo "Sentimientos", is a blend of reggaetón and bachata music known as bachaton or bachateo, a musical movement in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico which combines bachata melodies and reggaeton style beats, lyrics, rapping, and disc jockeying.Raquel Z. Rivera, Wayne Marshall and Deborah Pacini Hernandez. "Reggaeton". Duke University Press. 2009. pg. 143. It features minor key tonality, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation, bowed strings, a string ensemble, and ambient synthesizers. Ivy Queen indicated that the song emphasized human connection over material things, stating that "What I wanted to say in the song is that material things have never been important to me.... I look for genuine feelings, honesty, the things that come from the heart, because the material things I can get." In another interview, she identified the song as the one that best represented her at that time, explaining, "if you think you can only conquer me if you're famous, rich and have an expensive car, you're wrong, because I'm a woman who needs affection, someone to open the door for me, to bring me flowers and sing to me."
"Pobre Corazón" features male lead vocals interpreted by Divino. Set in a minor key, the ballad includes an ensemble with bowed strings, a piano and ambient synthesizers. The song's lyrics are romantic. Incorporating techno synths and minor key tonality, "En Que Fallamos" follows. Lyrically, Ivy Queen described the song as being what happened to her when a relationship ended. She said it is very "honest and straightforward" explaining that she wanted to "show people the stormy times that I lived." Ivy Queen worked with Puerto Rican singer Ken-Y, one half of the reggaeton duo R.K.M & Ken-Y on the "romantic" remix to the song. "Reza Por Mi" also features techo synths along with a bowed string ensemble. The song's contains catchy romantic lyrical hooks. The acoustic ballad "Cuando Comprendas" is performed by Mickey Perfecto. The song's romantic story-telling lyrics accompany a piano. "Yo Te Rescate" is accompanied by an accordion, or bandoneon, playing. The song features romantic lyrics performed by Queen. "Indecisiones" follows similar instrumentation as the previous reggaetón tracks featuring techno synths and a bowed string ensemble. Naldo performs "Llego El Domingo", a piano lead acoustic ballad. "Cuando No Me Tengas" lyrically "describes the aftermath of a break-up". The song combines bowed strings with elements of techno music.
The "big-band salsa" track, "Si Eres Tu" features production handled by Insidro Infante. The song includes a horn ensemble, acoustic instrumentation, prominent percussion, and piano as it incorporates Afro-Latin roots. "Manaña Al Despertar" is performed by Baby Rasta and Noriega. The track's ambient synthesizers combine with strings and a string ensemble. The acoustic guitar ballad "Corazón Anestesíado" features Western Classical as well as flamenco influences. "Robarte Un Beso", a collaboration with Don Omar features a brass ensemble and prominent percussion combining salsa with dancehall music. "Menor Que Yo" lyrically addresses an experience many women share, noting that many people who see an older woman with a younger man think his motivation is money. "They never think that there might be a connection, chemistry," Ivy Queen said, while she herself thinks "there's no age requirement for two people who love each other". She said that she identifies with the song herself, having dated men 13 or 14 years younger than she.
Release and promotion