The Trilogy Tour Served Washington DC A Full Course Meal of Latin Heat

words & photos: Jamal Harris

Determination, accomplishment, and gratification would describe the feel of the Trilogy concert.

You have 3 of the top Latin music artists in the world right in the heart of downtown DC.  The line for the concert stretched for at least 2 blocks.  Even though it rained earlier in the day, the cool and damp air did not bother the people waiting to experience the concert.

First lets start with Pitbull – born from Cuban immigrants – has been in the music business for over 20 years and still makes hits.

Growing up in Miami, he and his family had their share of ups and downs with substance abuse but an opportunity given to him by rapper Lil Jon was just the chance he needed to move forward.  This determination led Pitbull to 25 million album sales worldwide and multiple business ventures.

Pitbull led the charge and he was determined to show why he is called Mr. Worldwide.  His first song DTSP (Pyro) energized the arena and he ran with it. Flowing from reggaeton to hip-hop, hit after hit and only letting up for a costume change.  He ended his set by showing his humanitarian side informing the audience he opened another learning center for the under- privileged children worldwide. And he is determined to continue as long as he can.

Next up, Enrique Iglesias – born in Spain and the youngest son of world renown singer Julio Iglesias.  Moved to the United States when he was 8 years old and his world was changed.  

After so many years living in the shadow of his father, Enrique went to the University of Miami majoring in business but left after one year.  He left to do his own music and recorded his demo tape. Without the influence of his father's celebrity, he used an alias to accomplish it and the rest is history. 70 million albums sold worldwide.

Enrique Iglesias stepped up on the stage hard with his raunchy hit Tonight. And the audience ate it up!!!

He definitely was working the audience and he didn’t let up. Enrique also had the audience passionately singing  the hit Hero. And I mean about everyone which included the arena staff.  I saw a couple of tears flowing from some of the concert goers and you could feel it.  As he is about to finish his set, Enrique makes a sly comment about retiring. He shines a small smile and continues to close his set.  He stated at 48 he couldn’t imagine all the things he had accomplished at this age. 

Closing out the concert we have, Ricky Martin – born in San Juan, Puerto Rico – started his music career at 12 years old. He became part of the popular Latin boy band Menudo for five years. Two years after retiring from the group, he released his own solo album and hasn’t looked backed since.  He has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and is still going.  However, for the past 3 years, he went through a divorce, slander of his music business career, and his integrity questioned by a family member. However, each performance of this tour has shown him the gratification of many admirers of music worldwide.

He starts off with a video of his many music videos and then he starts off with Pegate.  RICKYYYYYY!!!! Is all I could hear. RICKYYY!!!!! Wooow.  And it didn’t let up.

Next was Maria and the arena went wild. The video background was quite colorful and it kept the people engaged with the hits Ricky is delivering.  The audience gets louder. As I sit in the audience, three generations of Ricky Martin fans are sitting behind me – a grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter.  For each song he sings they scream RICKYYYYYY!!!!! My ears rang a little but it was worth it to see such joy from a family. He closes his set with, “Do you want some more?” the arena erupts Yeah!!!! He takes a moment and embraces the loving gratification from the audience with a smile and a tear. He begins singing  Cup of Life and the whole arena stands up and accompanies him. And again from behind me the roars of RICKYYYY!!!!! Wooow.

The concert was a full three course meal that was filling and audience looked for more from all the artists.

I believe if possible that Ricky, Enrique and Pitbull would oblige to do so.  The arena was hot and the people was feeling it. I'm glad, I was able to experience this moment of concert history.