Although Alejandro Fernández has written his own history in Mexican music, he is still the son of perhaps the biggest star of ranchera music: Vicente Fernández. To continue his father's legacy, both of them started preparing the album De Rey a Rey before Vicente's death on December 12, 2021.
These are iconic songs from Vicente's repertoire, which will be produced with a more modern touch, in the style of Alejandro.
“I dared to do this because he had already given me his blessing. When he had already retired, we started choosing the songs,” recalls Alejandro, who together with his manager and record company decided that Eden Muñoz would produce the album.
“It was very nice to share with my friend Alejandro songs that fill entire generations with melancholy. It was a challenge for me, but nothing that cannot be achieved with respect and love for a great like Don Vicente,” says Muñoz. Billboard Español.
The full album De Rey a Rey is slated for a spring 2025 release, but the first single, “No Me Sé Rajar,” was released on Thursday (October 24).
At the same time, Alejandro Fernández kicks off his self-titled tour on Friday (October 25) at La Plaza México, an iconic venue in Mexico City where, with this date and one more on Saturday, he sets a record as the only artist with four sold- out performances.
Alejandro spoke Billboard Español about the importance of paying homage to his father, but in his own way.
What was the process of preparing this Vicente Fernández tribute like?
It's quite an ambitious project. We worked on it for a long time and I talked about it with my dad when he was still alive. I had told him that I wanted to pay tribute to him when he had already retired from music. Unfortunately we didn't manage to finish it at the time, but we made the setlist together. God's timing is perfect and I think this came at the right time.
What does making this album mean to you personally?
It is something very important, a healing work. I didn't know what I was getting into because there are a lot of details to take care of, but in the end it was worth it. It's not the same to sing the songs at a party or a palenque what it's like to make an album, especially because of the image, the voice, the hits, the person my father was and what he stands for. It is a treasure, it is a legacy that my father left me and what we want is for the new generations to learn these songs.
Why did you decide to leave your father's songs in the hands of Eden Muñoz as a producer?
We wanted the songs to sound fresh. Eden and I had already worked on a lot of stuff together, I really like his work, plus he's a great person as a person. He is a musical genius and I couldn't think of anyone else to put a spin on the songs. Songs have their own spirit [of Vicente]we weren't going to change them, and we had to respect them, but we wanted to give them a modern twist.
How difficult was it to record and sing Vicente Fernández's songs now?
I will sing them with dignity. By no means do I intend to be arrogant and say that I will sing them better. my father had a very strange voice. What I want is to preserve the legacy and somehow make them my own. I am doing my best to make it a worthwhile project and represent what my father did as it should be.
What do you think about the moment Mexican music is going through?
Right now Mexican music is being heard all over the world, although it has taken a turn in relation to what we do. The important thing is that the success that the new exhibitors have had has swallowed us up and helped us and that is very good for all of us.
We've seen you take a lot of interest in this new generation of local Mexican reps…
I am related to almost all of them morros (children) who are so strong. I had a collaboration with Natanael Cano, who for me is the pioneer of corridos tumbados, and from there came a huge escalation of these artists that I know, they know me, I respect them, they respect me and I applaud what they have. made.
Much has been said about the rivalry between the Aguilar and Fernández families. What is the reality between these two dynasties?
The public mistakenly thinks that Aguilar and Fernandez don't get along and on the contrary, my father was a big fan of Mr. Antonio Aguilar. My father taught me to know the music of Antonio Aguilar. Pepe and I get along very well, we have a beautiful friendship. I was a charro like him and we used to see each other a lot. Every time we see each other, we hug because we love each other so much. Pepe was at my father's funeral, I called him to offer my condolences when Don Antonio died, so I think it's great that now Majo (Aguilar) and Alex (Fernández) are making music and doing the Dos Dinastías tour , Una Tradición.
With your sold-out concerts on October 25-26, you set a record at La Plaza México. What does such an achievement mean to you at this point in your career?
I have nothing but to thank the fans because they have taken me by the hand and have not let me go. Plaza México is a historic place. My father's presentation there was monumental (Un Mexicano en La México, September 1984). I know how much work it took for my father, he was very afraid to play there because of the importance of the venue. People have blessed me with their affection. We've already had four sold-out concerts, which equates to 160,000 tickets sold there. I hope it becomes a tradition to play in this wonderful place.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/alejandro-fernandez-de-rey-a-rey-album–tour-1235811328/