Golden is the third studio album by American singer Romeo Santos, released on July 21, 2017 by Sony Music Latin. The album production mixed bachata with other generes such as Jazz, bolero and Reggaeton. The majority of the tracks were written by Santos and co-produced with sound engineer Mate Traxx (Iván Chévere). It encompasses bachata treated with synthesizer, piano, hyperkinetic percussion and guitars. It contains 18 tracks exploring lyrics raging from hate, criticism, tabloid rumors to love and sex and features guest appearances from Swizz Beatz, Juan Luis Guerra, Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Daddy Yankee, Julio Iglesias and Jessie Reyez. It also features production from Santos, Allen Ritter, Boi-1da, Frank Dukes, Illangelo, Illmind, Matetraxx, Swizz Beatz, Tainy, and Vinylz, among others.
Golden was received well by the critics, earning a nomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, becoming Santos' first nomination by The Latin Recording Academy. Also, it was nominated for Top Latin Album at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards and won Tropical Album of the Year at the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
Golden debuted at number 10 on US Billboard 200 and at number one on US Billboard Top Latin Albums, staying there for four consecuite week. It was the best-selling tropical album in the United States of 2017 and 2018. Eventually, it was certified fourteen times platinum (latin filed) by the RIAA. Also, it debut at number one on Mexico and Argentina album charts and reached the Top 10 at Chile, Spain and South America. Golden, was also certified gold in Mexico, Chile and Argentina. To promote the album, Santos embarked on the Golden Tour, which was a box office success, had attendance of around one million fans and received several nominations for best tour.
Background
Following the release of Formula, Vol. 2 (2014), Santos embarked on Vol. 2 Tour to promote the album. Eventually, the album was the best-selling latin album of 2014 and 2015. The tour was a box office success selling out arenas and stadiums all over America and Europe, including Yankee Stadium in New York and a 360 concert in Santo Domingo with record of attendance. The tour wraped up on August 27, 2016 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
On June 8, 2016, Santos and Jay-Z launch Roic Nation Lation a latin division within Roc Nation with Santos as a CEO. On October 28, 2016 Santos post a photo on social media revealing that he was recording a new album title of his next album Golden set to release on 2017. On February 19, 2017 Santos performed on a Pop-Up Show in Los Angeles to promote the lead single "Heroe Favorito". On April 1, 2017 Santos posted a photo with Nicky Jam announcing that he was working on his next single. The recording seasons of the album ended on May 23, 2022 according to the artist. On June 20, 2017, Santos announced the release date of the album, the same date of his 36th birthday.
Singles
"Héroe Favorito" is the first single from the album album. In the song, Santos wishes to be a super hero for a woman he is in love with. He collaborated with Marvel to design the artwork for the single's cover. The music video was released on Valentine's Day 2017. He plays the role of a super hero. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and at number 1 on the Billboard Latin and Tropical Airplay charts.
"Imitadora" is the second single. It was released on June 23, 2017. The music video was released on July 18, 2017. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and at number 1 on the Billboard Latin and Tropical Airplay charts.
"Bella y Sensual" is the third single features Reggaeton rappers Daddy Yankee & Nicky Jam. The music video was released on November 24, 2017 and it features Dominican model Yovanna Ventura, and Dominican dancers Dahiana Elizabeth and Cristal Sicard as the lead females. The song peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, at number 6 on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, and at number 1 Tropical Airplay chart.
"Sobredosis" is the fourth single and features Reggaeton singer and rapper Ozuna. The music video was originally released on February 13, 2018. It was re-edited and released on February 21, 2018, do to the original being to explicit, thus being removed from YouTube. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and at number 1 on the Billboard Latin and Tropical Airplay charts. It won Tropical Song of the Year at the 2019 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
"Carmín" is the fifth single and features Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra. The music video was released on July 11, 2018.