Few artists embody global rhythm quite like Maffio. The GRAMMY®-nominated and three-time Latin GRAMMY®-winning Dominican producer and artist has built a career on fusing infectious beats with heartfelt storytelling. His latest album R.D.L.D. (Rey de la Discoteca) captures that fusion at its peak — a vibrant, globe-spanning project born from sessions in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. To learn more about the making of R.D.L.D., his creative evolution, and what being the “King of the Dancefloor” really means, we caught up with Maffio for an exclusive interview.
Your new album R.D.L.D. has been called your most defining project yet. What made this the right moment in your career to create it?
Well, my new album is my most defiant project because it’s my third album, it’s my third baby. And I think it’s the most creative project that I’ve ever done in my whole 18 years of my career. The reason is because… It’s the first time that I’m collaborating with new artists, like new producers, like new songwriters. So the experience has been incredibly satisfying for me because not only did it make my job easier, but it was also an eye-opening experience for me.
You travelled through London, Paris, and Amsterdam while shaping this record. How did those cities influence your sound and vision for R.D.L.D.?
How did those cities influence me? It influenced me in so many ways because coming from the Dominican Republic and going to London for the first time, and I’ve been to Paris a couple of times, but it was just like a different fresh air, a different… I don’t know, it’s just different. The architecture, the people, how they talk. And then Paris. I’ve always been in love with the architecture of Paris. Now, one thing that I don’t like is that the chairs are so small. And I come from the Dominican Republic. Everything is just like, the chairs are big and everything, but the food is insane.
The album blends Latin roots with electronic energy. How do you balance staying true to your Caribbean identity while experimenting with global sounds?
I think having the root of being Dominican, not only Dominican, but having blood that comes from Africa, it keeps me grounded as far as the sound is concerned. You see, the percussion, anything that has to do with percussion comes from Africa. Evidently you know, you’re in the root.
You brought together an incredible roster of collaborators, from Shaggy and Anitta to emerging voices. What do you look for when choosing artists to work with?
I think my past albums, I’ve had, you know, I’ve always reached out to the big, you know, to the big players, the big numbers, artists on Tumba Gobierno and Eso Es Mental. And this album, yes, I do have Anitta, Shaggy, and Wisin, which are my family. Now this album, I really wanted to shine the light on the composers, the producers, the songwriters. And I wanted them to be part of the project as artists, because they’re the true artists behind the scenes. And I’m a songwriter, I’m a producer, and I’m always behind the scenes. And I think it was a great contribution for them to be part, as artists.
Dancefloors are central to your music, but this album also feels personal and introspective. What side of yourself were you most excited to reveal?
El Rey de la Discoteca it’s basically you know a statement of dreams that came true, like coming from las canitas and santa domingo, i would never think in my mind that i would travel to london and record a song that’s called London and Abbey Road, you know, where the Beatles are at. That’s insane for me. That’s impossible. That’s almost impossible. Like coming from Las Cañitas. So, you know, these are dreams come true. These are visions. These are ideas. And I think Rey de la Discoteca is basically, or La Reina de la Discoteca, is basically, you know, that your dreams can come true.
With three Latin GRAMMY® wins and a GRAMMY® nomination, you’ve already made history. How does R.D.L.D. raise the bar for your artistry?
El Rey de la Discoteca is self explanatory because the music is what actually moves you. It’s about the song. It’s just about the song. And once you concentrate yourself. on making sure that the song is done, then you’re on the right path. I don’t look for numbers. I just want to make people dance.
The title Rey de la Discoteca suggests ownership of the dancefloor. What does being the “King of the Dancefloor” mean to you today?
King of the dance floor what does it mean to me? I think the king of the dance floor is the music you know like i’ve said it before, or the queen of of the dance floor, i think music is that, music is that you know that bridge that unites people you know it it becomes that thing that you don’t see it you don’t see it but you feel it and and that’s when the world comes together, it’s funny and i was just doing a record last night with Ky-mani Marley, Bob Marley’s son. And the name of the song is When the World Comes Together. And here we are in the studio making a song, making a song, making music that’s called When the World Comes Together. And that’s what music is. That’s what Rey de la Discoteca is. And I think the politicians look at us it’s like man i wish i was a musician so i could put the left the right you know together
Looking ahead, how do you see Latin and Caribbean sounds evolving in electronic music, and what role do you hope to play in that future?
I think the caribbean music is basically a reflection of what Africa is in the rhythm and it’s very important that, there’s some there’s so many concentrations of Africa um not only in the Caribbean but also in in Colombia, obviously, Cuba is in the Caribbean, and they have the main concentration of that culture, of the African culture there. There’s so many rhythms in Haiti and from the Dominican Republic, in Puerto Rico, in Cuba. There’s so much rhythm to explore and there’s so many cultures to explore. And one thing about me is that I’m really open to it. And that’s information. Information I love to get information and to explore so many cultures and so many rhythms. And that’s what enhances my body of work of how I make my beats and how I stay relevant. Because I think culture is the root. You know, once you know your root, that’s it. You know, you’re good to go.