Yandel Breaks Down 5 Essential Tracks on New Album ‘ELYTE’

In an industry constantly evolving with new musical trends, Yandel has opted to stay faithful to the genre that made him a household name, further proving on his new album why he remains one of the most elite artists in the game.

Titled just that — ELYTE (replacing the I with the Y in honor of his artistic name) — the Puerto Rican artist presents his eighth solo studio album. The 19-track production is for the most part an entire album of reggaetón music, fusing the old-school sound with modern elements. Notably, the collaborators on the set include Tego Calderon, J Balvin, Feid, Myke Towers, Farruko and Blessd, to name a few. 

“I feel deeply blessed and happy that my music has managed to transcend at different stages of my career,” the artist born Llandel Veguilla Malavé tells Billboard. “I always seek to evolve by staying true to my essence, without losing what defines me, but making sure that my music continues to connect with the public.” 

ELYTE follows Yandel’s Resistencia (2023), Quien Contra Mi 2 (2020), The One (2019), #Update (2017), Dangerous (2015), De Líder a Leyenda (2013), and Quien Contra Mi (2003). Both his 2013 and 2015 albums hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. 

The album’s release also comes ahead of Yandel taking center stage at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week, returning to Miami Beach on Oct. 14-18, with other confirmed artists including Feid, Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz, Maria Becerra and Peso Pluma, among many others. 

Yandel — who’s also a finalist at the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Awards for Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Duo or Group with Wisin y Yandel — will be joined by Dei V and Roberto Andrade (managing director at Warner Music Latina) for a discussion on the beginning and future of the genre. For tickets and more details, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.

Below, Yandel breaks down five essential tracks from ELYTE.