Danny Ocean Breaks Down 5 Essential Tracks on His Album ‘Babylon Club’

The music of Danny Ocean is the kind that connects, heals, makes you fall in love and is a pure reflection of his genuine, relaxed vibe. And his new album, Babylon Club, released on Thursday (July 31) under Atlantic/Warner Music Latina, is no exception.

“I think this album is like that, it’s about moments a lot, not so much about thinking,” the Venezuelan artist tells Billboard. “It was much more about the moment and the energy you brought to the studio or to compose.”

Babylon Club features 14 tracks and a narrative universe where freedom, desire, love and celebration occupy a central place, presenting a dynamic mix of sounds and collaborations that highlight Danny Ocean’s global vision. It includes exciting contributions from recognized artists such as Arcángel (“Arena”), Aitana (“Anoche”) and Louis BPM (“Sunshine), as well as previously released singles “Priti” featuring Sech, “AyMami” with Kenia Os and the No. 1 hit “Imagínate” featuring Kapo.

Listening to it is like trying musical flavors from the Caribbean. There is a merengue, “Pirata” with El Alfa; his first salsa, “Crayola”; and a merenguetón, “Margarita,” which also carries that Venezuelan sound. “It is not a genre that was born in Venezuela,” Danny explains. “But I think it is a genre that we adapted to ourselves, to our way. And yes, it tastes like a little rum.”

It also goes further in its sound exploration, reaching a refreshing flamenco in “Corazón.”

Danny is not one to keep trophies, plaques or other visible reminders of his success at home; instead, he keeps them in the homes of some of the people he loves. With one exception: After our interview, he received a certificate plaque for “Imagínate” with Kapo going 3x Platinum from his Warner Latina label; the track spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart.

Anxious, excited and ready to share his new music, Danny Ocean spoke with Billboard a day before the release of his LP in the intense heat of summer in Miami Beach. Below, he breaks down five essential tracks from Babylon Club.

“Imagínate” feat. Kapo

“Imagínate,” we made it here in Miami with Kapo. We met in the studio, had fun, and were there for like four hours at most. That song came out. We knew we were going to the studio to get to know each other, to see how it would go. And the song came out. The first meeting, the first day we met. I liked him a lot. He’s the best. I care about him a lot.

Watch the music video for “Imagínate.”
“Crayola”

“Wow! Crayola was a theme we wanted to write for Venezuela. I think it also came out very naturally. We were pure Venezuelans who made that song [Danny Ocean, Daniel Rondón, Eddy Lugo, Eudis Ruiz and Manuel Lara]. And yes, I wanted to create a song dedicated to my country, and it came to me very naturally. We had made a demo, and I knew I wanted it to be a salsa. I had this idea that I think could be a salsa. I sent it to a producer friend of mine named Manuel Lara, and he nailed it. He made a demo. Then we recorded the instruments. But yes, he had produced ‘Erótika’ by Nathy Peluso, and when I looked at the credits, I saw that it was Manu, who is a friend of mine. And I said, ‘No way. Manu is the one who can take this song to salsa.’ This is the first time I’ve made a salsa like this.”

Watch the “Crayola” visualizer.
“Corazón”

“It was created here in Miami with a guitar, with some friends. One of them is from Spain, songwriter Manuel [Lorente] ‘Spreadlof,’ and also songwriter Daniel Rondón. He told me, ‘Bro, come to the house. Let’s go to the terrace.’ We bought a beer and went with a guitar, and it happened. That day we made two songs, in fact. And ‘Corazón’ was the second one. It’s like a little cousin of ‘Volare’ and I have another one called ‘Amor’ as well, which is very similar to it.”

Watch the music video for “Corazón.”
“Arena” feat. Arcángel

“‘Arena’ with Arcángel. Wow, I made it to the studio. That was really a freestyle. And months later, I sent it to him. I liked the song. I knew I wanted the song for my album. I loved the song. I was saying to myself, ‘I know I want someone on this track. Who could it be?’ And one day at an airport with my team, with Marcos, I said, ‘What about Arcángel? I feel like Arcángel could be the one for this song.’ He said, ‘Wow, I think so.’ And nothing, they got in touch. And it happened. He sent me his vocals about a month later. And I think he added so much to the song — he elevated it.”

Watch the visualizer for “Arena.”
“Pirata” feat. El Alfa

“I saw El Alfa at Premio Lo Nuestro this year. And I go, ‘Emanuel [El Alfa], bro, you know my girlfriend is Dominican, you know I love your country, I love what you do.’ I think El Alfa is very genuine in what he does, I feel that he has an angel.

“And I told him, ‘Look, man, you can’t retire without me doing a song with you, brother, please, give me the honors.’ And it’s not a dembow, it’s a merengue, and I told him, ‘Look, bro, I know you’re very crazy, to let a merengue happen, but I see you way too much in this song. It’s a very fresh song, and I think if you come in, you’re going to give it that balance, you’re going to take away a little of that freshness, and bring in some freshness.’ And that’s how it was. He called me from the studio and said, ‘What do you think?’ I told him, ‘Dude, you killed it hard.’ He was in Santo Domingo when I made the song, and I was in Spain. And he broke it — he killed it. I loved it. I think that’s one of my favorite tracks on the album.

Watch the “Pirata” visualizer.