Afro B returns to the airwaves with the Global Latin Version remix of his hit song “Drogba” (Joanna) featuring a slick verse from Puerto Rican reggaeton megastar Ozuna. The U.K.-based Afrowave artist’s immediately-recognizable party-starter, originally produced by Team Salut, boasts a tropical reimagining of its beat from DJ Lobo and J Traxx. In an exclusive interview we go behind the scenes and speak with Afro B and the song’s Executive Producer Boy Wonder CF.

The Global Latin Version was pitched to CEO & President of Chosen Few Emerald Entertainment Manuel Alejandro Ruiz, better known as Boy Wonder CF, by two of his associates, Oscar Peña (Super O Mgmt) and Eddie Colon Jr from (Música Colon). He served as the record’s Executive Producer, and with the help of Peña and Colon Jr brought this Afro-Latinx mix to life.

The accompanying video, directed by Ulysses Terrero, was shot in the scenic Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic pre-COVID and sees the two genre titans trading verses and dancing on the beach surrounded by models.

HOMBRE: How did the collaboration with Ozuna come about?
Afro B: The song itself started to gain traction in New York City in the beginning of 2019. Me and my manager Gavin flew out to New York almost immediately so we could connect with people to promote the song. DJ Lobo pitched that we should do a Latin remix, but I didn’t know much about the Latin scene because they don’t play it as heavy in the U.K. as they do here, but then I realized who the top names and who Ozuna was and I was real excited. I heard of him through “Taki Taki” and well, he did his thing.

Ozuna

H: How would you describe the difference between Afrobeat and Afrowave?
AB: Afrobeat is a way for Africans to connect with the African Diaspora around the world, in Europe and beyond. As for Afrowave, the sound itself is a combination of the sound coming out of the motherland Africa mixed with dancehall, you might hear Reggaeton you might hear some hip-hop influences and R&B all in one package.

H: How does Reggaeton fit into the mix?
AB: The only real difference is the language. There are slight changes in the rhythm sometimes. These days people find it hard to identify what specific genre is referenced in Afrobeat, dancehall and Reggaeton, but they distinguish it by the artist singing on the record.

H: When did you shoot the video? 
Boy Wonder: February.
AB: We went earlier this year to the Dominican Republic, to Casa de Campo. That place was amazing, and that’s where I first met Ozuna, who’s a humble cool guy. DJ Lobo was also there, and we just had fun and connected and made it happen.

H: Manuel, what can you tell us about your participation?
BW: The original track was produced by Team Salute, and when Afro B met DJ Lobo him and J Track worked on the remix with Ozuna and Lobo produced the beat. I saw the record, heard it, believed in it, grabbed it from there and then we filmed the video and the rest is history.
I did some crossovers with Reggaeton Latino with Don Omar, some other records, it’s always been a mix of the Anglo and Latino. I felt this was a record that could crossover so we decided to call it a global release, so it’s not limited by language or genre or border.

H: How do you guys feel the remix will perform within the current global context?
AB: We’ve been playing it by ear, we didn’t want to release it too prematurely and it gets lost in the wind. Hopefully by the time 2021 comes, it’ll be in a good position. Certain parts of the world are still partying and stuff, France and Miami and Atlanta I’m seeing people partying. It’s a weird year, but the show must go on.

BW: I think given what we’ve seen has happened since COVID-19, this year nobody had a hit. If you ask around, nobody really knows.
What we have an advantage of is a record that was successful last year just organically. It’s the first re-release of this year, so it would be interesting to see how people take it when they listen to a record they like and hear something different that’s refreshing.
If I see it and hear the hook and then Ozuna comes in, it’s refreshing but it connects. It’s interesting to see how that works with COVID-19. Ozuna had two great releases this year already. We feel comfortable and in a good place.

AB: The song hasn’t penetrated the Latin market yet, and I’m excited about it.

H: Will the record become a Chosen Few release?
BW: Chosen Few is my company, we work with Latin and Urban releases. After I heard the record and saw the vision I believed in the record and what’s happening. I wanted to be a part of something that was very special, and it’s not about making hits it’s about making a classic.

Watch “Drogba (Joanna) Global Latin Version feat. Ozuna” HERE