The Super Bowl is around the corner and we know there’s no Super Bowl without Pepsi. To be even cooler, Pepsi decided to thank their fans in the most awesome way ever with a free, three-day celebration at Bryant Park in New York City. The company transformed a section of the park and is offering the public complimentary tastes of unique, artisanal fare that features PepsiCo products while incorporating Broadway, art, sports and culture displays into multi-dimensional presentations of classic city experiences.
The enclosed event experience, coined #PEPCITY, includes an 80 foot wide by 40 foot high custom-designed dome that is housing numerous stages and diverse performances that celebrate the heart and soul of the city. Austin Mahone, Prince Royce and Ziggy Marley are the main performers, and celebrity chefs David Burke, Marc Forgione and Michael Psilakis will be creating specialty menu items that incorporate PepsiCo products into unique recipes, reflective of their individual styles.
We had the opportunity to attend Prince Royce’s concert at the #PEPCITY dome, and interviewed him about his collaboration with Pepsi. Everything was very casual. He arrived at the VIP area where the press was waiting, and it was like another one of us was there. Royce was as charming as he could get, very genuine and easy to talk to. He didn’t complain about the line of interviewers for both print and TV media, and sat with each one of them, enjoying each interview and with the best of attitudes.
He was fun to talk to. He replied every question with a smile, and was very eloquent and true. He is who he is and it’s the same person you see on stage, the same person singing his songs. He is here to stay, and he doesn’t need a big act to prove it. And although his name has royalty connotations, he’s the most humble guy you’ll meet in the industry. I give you Prince Royce.
How does it feel to be chosen by Pepsi to be the only Latino at this #PEPCITY event?
"It feels great! I’m starting to work a lot with Pepsi now and it feels great to work with such a big company that’s worked with so many huge stars. And you know, we’re out here celebrating sports, life... it’s cold, but it’s all good, you know? We’re gonna have a good time and thanks to Pepsi we were able to bring this show to the fans for free. I think it’s important because a lot of fans don’t get to see their favorite artists, so it’s cool that people can come and just enjoy here in New York."
Do you like football at all?
"I like football, but I lean more towards the basketball and baseball side."
I would’ve said baseball since you were born in Dominican Republic!
"Yeah! Dominican! (Laughs) I’m not too heavy into football, and New York isn’t playing so I can’t choose a team, so best of luck to both teams."
Oh, that was my next question. Who do you want to win the Super Bowl?
"It’s difficult. I think both teams have strong players, and like I said, New York is not playing so... no beef!"
You’re working in your English album, how is this one different from your previous albums that have been more mixed, Spanish and English songs, but mostly Spanish?
"I think people are going to be surprised with my English album, it’s popping, it has a flare of Spanish, a flare of Latin. I think it’s going to be something that hasn’t been done in a long time. It’s a whole other side of Prince Royce. We’ll come out with the RnB, some pop, the dance, the tropical, all in one. I think this album is going to be a combination of what I grew up listening to, within Prince Royce. So I think it’s definitely going to be some fun."
Who did you grow up listening to?
"A little bit of everything. From Jay Z, I was very heavily into Usher, Michael Jackson, Marc Anthony, Aventura, Juan Luis Guerra, Wisin & Yandel ... I listen to Rihanna, Katy Perry. A little bit of everything."
You mentioned Aventura, and Romeo Santos, who was the lead singer, happens to be the King of Bachata, and you’re the Prince of Bachata. How does it feel to be in that category? We’re talking royalty now!
"Romeo is great, he’s a good friend of mine and he’s done a great job with music and Bachata in general. It’s hard to get a hit, and it’s even harder to maintain 10 years, 15 years making hits. And I think that’s something he’s done, and I admire him. It’s all love and respect. I don’t see him as competition. It’s an honor for me to be compared to him or be in the same nominations with him, you know? But we’re good friends and I wish him the best of luck, I think he’s been doing a great job."
Right now you have “Darte un Beso” as your single, it’s doing great and the video has over 150 million views, what’s next?
"My next single is called ‘Te Robaré,’ and actually the video is gonna come out the next week. It’s something different, something more mysterious. It’s a little different from all my past videos, I’m also a coach on ‘La Voz Kids’ which is a Spanish version of ‘The Voice’ with kids, so I’m having a lot of fun with that. I’m working on a new tour, working with Pepsi, so a lot of good things coming this year.”
Are you shooting “La Voz Kids” right now?
"We’re starting in February."
Do you feel confident? You were the big winner last season!
"I’m feeling confident! I think I might be able to win again..."
Do you think you’re going to be like the Blake Shelton of “La Voz Kids” winning all those seasons in a row?
"Maybe! Winning 20 times! (Laughs) No, I think it’s not even about me, it’s about the kids, and having them learn and taking this prize home."
What are your Super Bowl plans? Are you watching the game?
"My Super Bowl Plans? I was actually gonna go to the Super Bowl but things changed. I just ended up going to the studio. I have a lot of work coming up. It’s either the studio or the Super Bowl, but then if I go to the Super Bowl, I’m gonna have to postpone the studio for another three months. I’ll watch the Super Bowl from the studio!"
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