Fernandito Villalona, El Mayimbe

Aug 28

Fernando Villalona, better known as “Fernandito” or “El Mayimbe”, is a Dominican merengue performer, with a trajectory spanning 5 decades. Our country has literally seen him grow up in the public spotlight, since he started his music career at the tender age of 16. Furthermore, one does not simply earn the “El Mayimbe” sobriquet in the Dominican Republic, for “Mayimbe” is a word in the Taino language meaning “The Boss”. You can draw your own conclusions. It may be difficult to explain how beloved his figure is by all segments of our society. One way to put it would be that Fernandito is “loved to a fault”. Still today, his name continues to be equivalent to Dominican culture and Merengue music across the world.

Born in 1955 in the Monte Cristi province to a family of musical inclinations, and raised in Loma de Cabrera, also located in the northwest of the Dominican Republic, his music career starts when in 1971 he travels to Santo Domingo to participate in “El Festival de la Voz” (The Festival of the Voice), a singing contest organized by the well-known Dominican musician Rafael Solano. This contest took place at the “Palacio de Bellas Artes”, and its national TV broadcast had all viewers in our country glued to their television sets, to watch 20 participants from various localities share their voices with the nation. Although he did not finish in first place, he actually came in fifth, the young singer won the hearts of all Dominicans, becoming the public’s preferred participant and the DR’s “Niño Mimado” (Sweetheart). From that day onwards his career would develop into a part of the history of Dominican Music.

Right after the contest, he was hired by the Merengue icon Wilfrido Vargas to be a part of his ensemble “Los Hijos del Rey” (The Sons of the King). But Fernandito would soon leave the group for his popularity outgrew the band’s. By the early 1980’s he launched a successful solo career, spanning until today, recording over 20 albums and having countless number one singles. His songs mainly touch upon the themes of love and the joys of being Dominican. Good examples of the latter are the songs “Dominicano Soy” (I am Dominican), “Cuando pise tierra dominicana” (When I set foot in Dominican soil), or “Baile en la calle” (Dancing in the Streets) which are all part of our country’s music repertoire. Although composed by Luis Días, his version of “Baile en la calle” is also the main theme song for the most popular cultural event in our country, the Dominican Carnival. He has also adapted to Merengue some classic Latin-American songs. His music style is what we would identify as "Classical Merengue".

Today “El Mayimbe” continues to be present in the Dominican and Latin-American music scenes, for his songs never go out of style. We invite you to discover one of the main voices and a living musical legend from our country by taking a look at this recent live performance, and by accessing his music on all major music streaming platforms.