Monti Montanez

Former Menudo member Monti Montanez is branching out on his own. With the help of red-hot producer Jadion, his first EP is out now on iTunes and is entitled "My Dreams". It's a tasty Latin-dance and pop-flavoured morsel that has most definitely caught my attention. Not only is the EP a strong solo debut, but it's also supporting The Children's Miracle Network and The Family Career and Community Leaders of America. Armed with his hot tunes, chairitable heart and energetic penchant for performance, it's only a matter of time before the world falls in love with Monti Montanez. Take note EQs.

I was lucky enough to get some face time with the up-and-coming star for a quick chat about Menudo, is solo work, screaming girl fans and his love for red velvet cupcakes...Enjoy.

EQ: Well hello Monti - how are you today young man?
Monti: I'm pretty good, very excited!

So for those of us who don't know you yet, you were one-fifth of teen boy-band Menudo. How did you end up being in Menudo?
In 2007 there was a reality show on MTV Tr3s called "Road to Menudo", looking for 5 guys to be part of the legendary group Menudo. I made the top 15 and was part of a following reality show on MTV called "Making Menudo". I was very nervous throughout the audition because I not only had cameras on top of me all the time, but also Johhny Wright, (manager of Justin Timberlake, Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears) was the judge and the future manager of the new Menudo. After three months of auditioning, I made the group! It was the best feeling ever!

Are you guys still together - or did you turn 18 and they kicked you out? Isn't that the old longstanding rule of being in Menudo?
It is the old longstanding rule of the old Menudo. But if that were so I would have been gone before I made the group [laughs]. But unfortunately, many problems happened with the record label and management, as we were not pushed in the Latin market properly. That would only make sense because Menudo is a Latin boy band. But the way things were ran did not work as everyone expected. The label dropped us, and our manager left us. Soon after members of the group started moving on to different projects. Now the group is in the process of being re-formed.

Argh - well that's pop music for you. I have to admit, I was a massive Menudo fan back in the Ricky Martin days, are you hoping the Menudo platform will propel you to the heights of solo success that Ricky Martin has had?
Yes! Not being a part of the group any longer, I have had the opportunity to work on my solo career. My goal is to bring fun, catchy songs that people can enjoy, along with Latin beats. I am combining pop along with Latin sounds to create a new sound that the world can enjoy and relate to!

So you have a new EP out called "My Dreams" - tell me about it...
I was so honored to be given the opportunity to be a part of the "Dig It!" campaign by Cause Creative, a campaign benefiting FCCLA and Children's Miracle Network. I was asked to write a song to inspire people to help sick kids by donating. So I wrote "My Dreams", and combined it with the song "So Hot" in the EP, so fans can really get the feel of my music and new songs and sounds to come!



Tell me some more about the charities the EP is supporting...
FCCLA, (Family Career and Community Leaders of America), is a non-profit organization that will be raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. I thought, since they are raising money for the Children's Miracle Network and they are a non-profit, it would be nice for the EP to benefit FCCLA.

You're track "So Hot" is a dancefloor burner - I can't stop jamming to it - tell me a little bit about this song and how it came about.
I'm glad you like the song! This song described the style on how I want my new solo career to be musically. After recording "My Dreams", I sat with producer Jadion and picked beats and sounds that I really wanted to describe my style. After the track was made I started writing the song! I really went for a fun, simple song that people could have fun and dance to, and also learn a little spanish. [smiles]

Are you working on a solo album project?
Yes. I am currently recording songs I've written with Jadion. I can't wait to finish the album so that everyone can enjoy it!

I love asking this question...so if you weren't doing writing and performing music, what sort of civilian job would you be doing? Fireman? Lawyer? Chef? Guidance Counsellor?
CHEF! I love to cook, and I love food. I make the best red velvet cupcakes, I will send you some!

Now that sounds like a good idea - ha. I'll send you my address later. Now do you ever get used to girls screaming at you on the street - a little birdy told me that you always get stopped by excitable female fans when you're out and about in LA.
Sometimes. Most of the time it's fans that stare at me, and are too shy to come up to me. I always tell them, "I don't bite! unless you tell me to". But there are other times when fans start screaming or even crying! I always go up and give then a tight hug. I love my fans [smiles].

What's been the most memorable thing a fan said or did to you to get your attention - spill the beans Monti...
Well, there's tons of memorable things, but the one that I will always remember is a fan calling my hotel room from Brazil - I was in the U.S. at the time, I think that is so crazy! How did she even know where I was, or my hotel room number! So I talked to her for a little bit, it was kind of cool!



How have you been taking the passing of Michael Jackson - did the King Of Pop have an impact on your music?
Of course. Michael Jackson is one of my idols. He is such an inspiration on my music and performance. When I heard the news I couldn't believe it. To me, Michael Jackson will always live, and his music will keep making an impact on my career and inspiring my music.

So I hear you are originally from Puerto Rico - do you get a chance to go back home often? What's your favourite thing about going home now.
I visit Puerto Rico about 2-4 times a year or when I have time. My favourite things are the food, the beaches, the weather, the music, and just enjoying the beauty of the island. It always takes me back to when I was a little kid...

Now if I compared you to let's say a male version of Jennifer Lopez - would you take that as a compliment or a put-down?
I would definitely take it as a compliment. Jennifer Lopez is a Latin icon. She represents the Latin community from all over the world, and her music is heard worldwide!

So when are you launching in Europe? Something tells me you would do quite well in Spain, Portugal and even the UK - us Europeans love a Latin heart-throb you know...
Really?! I can't wait for Europe to hear my music! Everyone can get my EP on iTunes, and my new album will come soon! And I'm glad Europeans love Spanish music. I remember when I lived in Germany, Ricky Martin was on everyone's playlist!

Well that's all Monti - thanks for taking the time to chat to us. Any parting words for our EQ readers?
Please check out my new EP album on iTunes! New music coming soon, and i can't wait to visit Europe. Thanks for all the support and THANK YOU EQ! I love you guys! - EQ Blog

I have to tell you a little story here. This track isn't that new. In fact the spanish version of "Lose Control" ("Perder Control") has been on Monti Montanez's MySpace for a few months now and to it's credit - the spanish version is probably THE most catchiest track of 2010. I'm not joking either - I listen to it like five times a day. Then just yesteday I tweeted Monti and told him that he should record an english verison of the track for all us non-Spanish speaking types and to my astonishment - he sent it to me within minutes! And can I tell you EQs - The ENGLISH version totally made my day.

"Lose Control" will definitley go in my top 10 tracks of 2010 without a doubt. Not because it's like "the best pop song ever made" or anything, but more or less because his use of a Speak N Spell is just absolute pop genius. "Lose Control" has the same feel-good factor that you got the first time you heard, for example, "Livin La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin...I can guarantee you that you'll listen to this song on repeat more than just a few times. In fact, I dare you not to...

ARE YOU READY? READY! Here you go EQ's - here is the world exclusive premiere of "Lose Control" by Monti Montanez. Who if you don't know who he is yet - really, you should be ashamed of yourself. And you call yourself a pop lover?! Make sure to check out Monti's NOH8 pic too after the jump. - EQ Blog

Monti Montanez from boy band Menudo has written and recorded a song to raise money for Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)! "My Dreams" will be the theme song for a two-year campaign called DIG IT! You can buy the English and Spanish versions of "My Dreams" on iTunes now! - Popstar! Magazine

See article. - Que Pasa Magazine

Simon Curtis chows down on a red velvet cupcake with good friend Monti Montanez from boy band Menudo.

The 23-year-old actor writes on his Twitter, “The most amazing red velvet cupcakes ever, made by one of my buddies in town whom I think you all will know. Guess! It’s Monti from Menudo! He’s in town and made cupcakes for everybody. Invite this kid over for dessert I tell you!” - Just jared Jr. Blog

"Hello hello hello, you haven't got the wrong numba..."

Look - it's an all-dancing all-singing male pop star!

You guys know that I've been banging on about ex-Menudo now solo artist Monti Montanez for quite awhile now and yesterday I finally got to see him perform for the first time via the power of the almighty YouTube for a show he did for Tap For A Beat out in Califor-niah.

He's got that something - his songs have that Latin flair pop hook about them and upon watching the lo-fi fan footage, I'm instantly impressed. Take a look - those chops and slick moves are hot and I can't wait to see him live in a town near me some time soon... - EQ Blog

Check out the cover of Monti Montanez’s new EP!

The 20-year-old Menudo singer is releasing a four-song CD including “My Dreams.” The title track is the theme song for FCCLA’s (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) national youth campaign benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network. Funds from this song will help support FCCLA’s efforts in developing future leaders throughout US high school and middle schools. - Just Jared Blog

Ex-Menudo band member Monti Montanez has been working extremely hard on his upcoming kick-ass solo debut showcase where industry insiders have been tipping him as being "the next Ricky Martin".

I've been fortunate enough to hear a little bit of the latin hearthrob's new tunes and from what I can tell - I would say that accolade was in perfect order. Monti recently put together a little video of his showcase rehearsal and from the looks of it, it's all shaping up quite nicely.

It's high time we had a new Ricky and Enrique anyways and the timing is just right for this rising young star...enjoy the video and make sure to remember Monti Montanez's name dear readers, you'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future... - EQ Blog