INTERVIEW — 10 Latin Love Songs with Prince of Queens [MI4L.com]

He was born in Colombia and raised in New York, dynamic producer and multi-instrumentalist, Felipe Quiroz, is Prince of Queens. He is about to drop his unique blend of Latin and House on local label Razor-N-Tape, with his EP entitled ‘Merida’. On the week of the release, we ask Prince of Queens to share his Top Ten Latin Love songs for your listening pleasure.

Joe Bataan – Ordinary Guy (1975)

I love Joe Bataan, one of my favorite artists of all time. There are a couple of versions of this song but the “Afro Filipino” version always does it for me, what can i say? I’m an ordinary guy.

Ana Belén, Victor Manuel – Contamíname (En Directo) (1993)

My mom had this live CD and I would not stop playing it over and over when I was 6 and I figured out how to use the stereo. They are a married couple singing to each other about each other. I literally just got chills from listening to this again. Especially this live version. <3

Juan Gabriel – Hasta Que Te Conocí (En Vivo [Desde el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes]) (1990)

Ok Juan Gabriel is on another level. This song, especially the live recording from Bellas Artes, is quite possibly the most epic live recording in Spanish of all time for me. That groovy funky part towards the end, I mean it’s a whole novela! Just sip that tequila, and sing out loud

Jeanette – Porque te Vas? (1976)

Spanish-British singer Jeanette gave us a timeless funky ballad that has been part of the romantic soundtrack for generations in Latin America. I love the sound of this recording, that little bit at the end, killer break!

Sandro – El Solitario (1968)

Sandro is the ultimate Latin American romantic gigolo, this is a Spanish cover of Cliff Richard’s “I’m the Lonely One”. Perfect Latin drama rock & roll.

Oscar D’Leon – LLoraras (1988)

Venezuelan composer, singer, band leader and bass player, Oscar D’Leon delivered in my opinion one of the best bass lines in salsa’s history with “Llorarás”. This song never, never fails on the dance floor. Absolute timeless classic.

Grupo Niche – Sin Sentimientos (1991)

One of the best songs from the “Salsa Romantica” era, Grupo Niche, from Cali Colombia. Prime Colombian salsa!

Prince of Queens – Nadando Con Itzel (2017)

Ok I’m gonna plug myself in! This one I wrote after spending a day at the beach with my girlfriend. We were so in love and stoned, I just came home and wrote this super quickly the next day and it’s part of my first EP. We are still in love and getting married in Merida this year 😉

Combo Chimbita – Margarita (2024)

This is the latest single from my band Combo Chimbita. Cumbia dub style, where the line between platonic love and self-love gets drawn.

Luther Vandross – Never Too Much (1981)

Ok out of the Latin cannon but it’s Luther Vandross! I mean this song never gets old, just heard it last weekend at a Brooklyn block party last weekend and three generations were singing and dancing. It’s just never enough!

– Prince of Queens