Fly Interview: Familiarize Yourself with Engel Montaz, Latin Music’s Next Biggest Artist

Engel Montaz’s love for music began at a very early age. From learning to sing and play guitar from his father to participating in the choir, he’s always been drawn to the storytelling aspect of the medium. After taking a hiatus from music due to the distractions that come from being a young man coming into his own, he’s returned to his passion determined to carve out a lane for himself in today’s evolving Latin music landscape. After teaming up with one of Latin music’s heavyweights Arcangel on his single “Nota De Pasion,” we’d say he’s well on his way.

1. Who is Engel Montaz?

He is a young man who lives for music and loves music so much he wants to get it to the people. I want people to feel the same way I feel about music.

2. When did you know music was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

Well professionally almost 2 years ago but I’ve been into music since I was a little kid. I used to sing for the chorus in school and I have loved music since I was a little kid.

3. You were born in the Dominican Republic and spent the majority of your childhood there. How did your upbringing shape your love of music?

I was born into music, my father is a musician also so it’s just something that I have in my blood. I was born with it. There’s no reasoning. He played the guitar and he’s also a songwriter so it’s just something that I have in my blood.

4. Did your father pursue music professionally?

Not really. He showed me how to sing and stuff like that. I used to sing at home every morning and play the guitar. So I really got it from him. Then at school I started singing in the chorus when I was around 12 or 13 years old.

5. You’re in the chorus, what came next? You mentioned you didn’t start to take music seriously until 2 years ago.

You know when you’re a teenager you just really want to party and hangout with your friends. I just moved away from the music. I was trying to be a man, running the streets and just learning how the world is. I forgot about singing, what I really loved. One day I just woke up with this feeling to start making music again. I just went to the studio one day and recorded my first song. After that the rest was history.

6. As I mentioned earlier you relocated from the DR to the US. How old were you when you made that move?

I was always back and forth when I was a little kid. Every vacation from school, every summer. When I actually decided to pack up and move to the US I was 16-17 years old. I went to New York. I was in New York for a little while and then I moved to Florida. It was in Florida that I really buckled down and started pursuing music professionally.

7. How would you describe your musical style?

I like music that sort of embraces you and delivers a message. I love good lyrics. Lyrics that tell you something, not just words thrown together over a beat. The kind of lyrics that get stuck in your head.

So you’re actually saying something vs just throwing catchy words around.

Exactly. It conveys a message whether its love, hate, whatever something you can relate to deep down in your soul.

8. Who would you say that’s out now is closest to the kind of music you hope and want to create?

There’s Ozuna, Nicky Jam, and J. Balvin. That’s the kind of music that I’ve kind of been creating; but I still have my own style. I don’t want to compare my music with anyone because I think my music is different. That’s why people have found it so special because it’s a bit different; but it’s kind of in the same lane.

9. Your latest record is “Nota de Pasion” and it features Arcangel. Tell us how did this collaboration come about?

Arcangel has been listening to my music for a little while now because I have someone on my team who was playing my music for him like 2 years ago. He kept telling him about me and eventually we go to meet and we built a good relationship from there. An opportunity to head into the studio with him came up and of course I jumped on it. Nota De Pasion was the result of that.

10. That’s awesome. How was it working with him?

It was a pleasure. You know he’s a legend and I have so much respect for him because I grew up listening to his music and you know for me it was a pleasure. He’s a genius. That’s really how I see him. He’s a genius at making music.

11. You’ve already worked with Arcangel. What other Latin artists or Urban artists in general would you like to work with?

I like Drake and on the Latin side I like Ricardo Arjona. That’s one of my favorite artists. On the Latin Urban side I would have to say De La Ghetto.

12. What inspires your music?

Life. You know in my life I’ve been in so many situations and I have friends too who have the confidence to tell me what they’re going through. As a songwriter I can turn what I’ve been through and what my friends are going through and create music from it.

13. So what’s next for you? Are you currently signed to a label? Are you working on an album?

Yes, I am currently signed to a label This Is Global Music and I’ve been working with them for almost two years. We’ve been working pretty well on the management side and I feel really good about it. We’ve been working a lot. I’ll be shooting a video in Miami for a song I have with a Brazilian and Puerto Rican artist who goes by Americano. The track is like Brazilian/pop with a hint of reggaeton. I think people will really love it.

14. What’s the name of the record?

It’s titled Amorosa.

15. When is the video dropping?

I’m actually not sure. It’s his track I’m just featured. I don’t have a timeline, but most likely soon.

16. What does fly mean to you?

Fly to me is something extraordinary. Something that leaves an impression, that’s memorable.

Watch Engel Montaz “Nota De Pasion” ft. Arcangel below.