Dominican Republic merengue 1980s ▶ 207K subscribers

Fernando Villalona

Fernando Villalona, known as “El Mayimbe,” is one of the most important singers in merengue history. His popularity, built since the 1970s, has never faded.

Origins

Villalona began singing in the early 1970s and saw his fame grow by the late 1970s, rising to become one of the Dominican Republic's most beloved merengue voices.

The sound

His music is rooted in classic merengue, carried by a warm, commanding voice that works equally well on uptempo dance numbers and romantic material.

Legacy

Regarded as one of the genre's all-time greats, Villalona was the first Dominican artist to take on the nickname “El Mayimbe,” a title that signaled his stature.