By Glenda Rush. Photo Credit: PhotoGary.ca
Presenting the animation video El plátano maduro (The Ripe Plantain) the bachata by Dominican-Canadian singer songwriter Rafael Energía Dominicana. The video is a story of love and humour that takes place at various locations in the Dominican Republic including Bani, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. The humorous and sensual lyrics of the song, the locations and humble memories of Rafael’s childhood at his family farm in Baní, Peravia Province, Dominican Republic and shared Caribbean humour and sensibility inspired the vision of the video’s scenario and characterizations by director and producer Jorge Merino, president/director of Audacy Studios de MERINOCREATIVO in Calabozo, Guárico, Venezuela.
The ‘ripe plantain’ represents a variety of themes including how personal decisions and tastes can limit and influence our lives and lead to closures with people. The protagonist Rafael gets some help from his friend Victor (Mr. Plantain) who encourages discovering the world of the unknown, to open the heart to new things, embrace a dare to be happy through the happiness of others and leave behind established traditional preferences. “Although to change you have to mature, let's not forget our origins however humble they are; let's not stop being cheerful and innocent since in nature it all starts at being green.” - Jorge Merino.
The song “El plátano maduro” is produced by Rafael and Leandro Mejía in the Dominican Republic and in Montreal, Canada and is published by CYMBA Music Publishing in Toronto, Canada. A remix by the renowed Swedish DJ Stonebridge (“Stonebridge Ibiza Remix”) will be announced this summer 2022. Rafael Energia Dominicana will be performig at a variety of festivals and events this summer in Montreal, Canada and planning fall-winter 2022-2023 performances in the Dominican Republic and more.
Rafael Energía Dominicana (Wilsikin ‘Rafael ‘Medina) is a Montreal, Quebec, Canada based singer, songwriter and producer born in Bani, province of Peravia in the Dominican Republic. He performs and composes different genres of Latin-tropical music and is known as a merenguero and bachatero. His orchestra Rafael & Energía Dominicana has performed at a variety of festivals/events including The Montreal International Jazz Festival, 2015 Pan American Games Toronto, Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, Vancouver 2010 Cultural Paralympic Games, Calgary Expo Latino, Edmonton Latin Fiesta, Saskatoon World & Reggae Festival, has opened for Gente de Zona at L’Olympia de Montreal and for Elvis Crespo at Festival International des Rythmes du Monde de Saguenay. « He’s the real deal, a true “merenguero” and “bachatero”, 100% proud flag-bearer for Latin Music, especially the sounds and rhythms of his beloved native Dominican Republic. A truly contagious groove. - Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Rafael’s debut album Enamorarse en la playa is released on ARC Music U.K. The album includes thirteen original compositions in the genres of bachata, merengue, salsa, bomba and balada. He received the first ever Merengue of the Year award from the Latin Awards Canada for his song “Tirando duro” . Rafael released “Mi bachatica” (ARC Music) at the 2019 Montreal International Jazz Festival. He performed the song live at the Latin Awards Canadá. He debuted with live orchestra in the Dominican Republic on Telemicro’s De extremo a extremo and on Bebeto TV in Santo Domingo and on Buena Noche in Santiago de los Caballeros.
He performed in his hometown of Bani during the Celebración de Sus Fiestas Patronales . Rafael filmed the video clip for "Mi bachatica" in Puerto Plata directed by Pedro Sanchez. In 2020, ARC Music released “Mi bachatica” and it was playlisted on the AMAZON MUSIC “Bachata Hoy” playlist, Stingray Music "Mi Verano Tropical 2019, heard on TikTok videos, bachata and Zumba classes, radio programs and is part of the #nuestramusicatropical campaign from Naxos En Español among more. In 2020, Rafael received the Artista del Público award from the Latin Awards Canada, (and in addition to the “Merengue of the Year” has been honoured with 20 nominations to date).
During the global pandemic in 2020 Rafael released “Pronto volveremos a abrazarnos” featuring Jhon Martinez and it was selected for a health campaign by Instituto de Auxilios y Viviendas OFICIAL in the Dominican Republic. He received La Medaille de Reconnaissance 2021 from Héritage Hispanique Québec. Rafael founded Energía Productions in 2021 dedicated to musical productions. He is a passionate performer and luchador who never gave up his dream to share his music with the world. Oye ke lindo suenaaaa!
Jorge Merino started his first steps in a family printing house Graficas Merino and with more than 25 years of experience in graphic design. He received recognition with 1st place in the creative tournament “Logo for Venehosting” (atreveos.com). Founder of Merino Creativo working in design, animation and 3D modeling with projects with design agencies, companies and artists in Venezuela, Bolivia, Spain, the Dominican Republic and the United States. President/Director at Audacy Studios dedicated to the digital industry in cartoons and audiovisual advertising in general. Husband, father, self-taught and passionate about art and life...Slogan: “Creative Solutions”.
Website: rafaelenergia.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rafaelenergiadom
Twitter: twitter.com/rafaelenergia
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rafaelenergia