Multi-platinum Dominican-American artist Prince Royce is back with Eterno, a bold and deeply personal new album set to release on 16 May via Sony Music. Reimagining timeless Anglo-American pop songs through a Latin lens, Royce blends the familiar with fresh emotional depth—infusing classics by The Beatles, Bee Gees, and Fleetwood Mac with bachata, salsa, and bolero. In this interview, Royce talks about the inspiration behind Eterno, cultural crossover, and why the heart of Latin music still beats louder than ever.
Your new album Eterno reimagines classic Anglo-American hits through a Latin lens. What inspired this bold creative shift?
I think it mostly started with “Stand By Me,” an idea I had back in the day. I was in a meeting recently and someone said, “Why wouldn’t you do that again? You kind of pioneered this type of sound.” And I thought, yeah, that actually sounds pretty cool. I just think it’s a great way to, like I said before, unite these two cultures and these two worlds.
You’ve covered everything from The Beatles to Fleetwood Mac. How did you select which timeless songs to reinterpret—and what emotions did you want to evoke?
I made a really long list and took recommendations from everyone. I listened to a lot of music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s all year long. I wanted a bit of everything, some pop, some rock, a little R&B, even some country vibes. Ultimately, I chose songs that worked well in bachata. I didn’t want anything to feel forced. If a translation didn’t sound right, I left it out. So I just went song by song, picking the ones that really felt natural in the genre.
This album arrives during a huge moment for Latin music globally. How do you see yourself contributing to this cultural wave?
Honestly, I’m honoured to contribute to Latin music and to bachata. With this album, I think we can reach people who might not be familiar with the genre or who don’t speak much Spanish. The Spanglish approach and the fact that these are iconic songs can help attract a wider audience. That’s something I’m really excited about.
Your take on “Yesterday” or “How Deep Is Your Love” transforms nostalgia into something freshly emotional. Was Eterno also a personal catharsis for you?
Definitely. For example, the Bee Gees song is one of my mom’s favourites. She said that when she moved to the U.S. and worked in a factory, she would hear that song while working. And “Yesterday” is a song I’ve had in mind since 2009. I always said that if I ever made an album of classics, I’d include it. It’s always had a raw, beautiful feeling to me. So yeah, these are songs I’ve loved for a long time.
You’ve collaborated with icons across genres—from Shakira to Snoop Dogg. What did this solo project allow you to explore differently?
Collaborating with other artists lets me learn from them. I’m a big fan of most people I work with, so it’s always a learning experience, seeing how they record, how they write, how they approach their craft. Every collab brings together different genres and cultures. Even though many of us speak Spanish or are from Latin America, we come from different countries, with different ways of speaking, different food, different vibes. I learn something new each time.
You were one of the first to blend bachata with Western pop over a decade ago. What’s changed since then—and what’s stayed eternal?
Back then, I was just a kid. I made music mostly as a hobby and was still learning. Now I have a much better understanding of songwriting, the music industry, and artistry overall. I think the quality of this new album, musically speaking, is a step up from the early days, like when I did “Stand By Me.” So yeah, a lot has changed, but the passion is still the same.
With a loyal fanbase in Europe, do you feel a different kind of energy when performing for UK or European audiences compared to Latin America?
Oh, definitely. Every country is different. In Europe, I see a lot of Latin fans, but also people from France, the UK, the Netherlands, just enjoying Latin music and the concerts. I’m excited about this album especially, because it includes English lyrics, so maybe more people will finally understand me a bit better. Sometimes I’d speak Spanish or English at shows in France or the Netherlands, and the audience still wouldn’t follow. So hopefully now they’ll be able to connect and sing along more easily.
For younger listeners discovering these classics for the first time through Latin rhythms—what do you hope they take away from Eterno?
I really hope the new generation enjoys this timeless music from a time before Auto-Tune, when it was just about musicians and raw, beautiful songs. Back when people bought CDs and vinyls. I think they can appreciate it and create new memories, just like their parents or grandparents did with these songs years ago.
