There was one more incredible feat, last Sunday, after Kansas City Chiefs’ Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the first Québécois to win the Super Bowl; it was a musical one, that helped kick the province’s national pride into overdrive. Alex Castillo Vasquez, born in Montréal’s Saint-Michel neighbourhood, and winner of the 2018 SOCAN International Award, was at the helm of the musical production and arrangements of Shakira’s performance (as she shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez) during the half-time extravaganza.
On the phone the next day, SOCAN member Vasquez – who still couldn’t quite believe what happened – said it was quite a tall order. “I’ve been working on music with Shakira for three years now. We heard about the Super Bowl show while we were in Barcelona! Immediately and for the past three months, we started shaping the show, musically. Those were incredibly long days! This whole experience was incredible! I’ve learned a lot while working so closely with Shakira. And being able to watch the Super Bowl on the field last night is just priceless! Afterwards, I took my mom and sister to Shakira’s surprise party, that was a once in a lifetime event!”
Vasquez’s feat was also highly publicized in the Latino press, since he was born to a Colombian mother and a Dominican father, and articles about him were published in El Día and Listin Diaro.
As mentioned, his collaboration with Shakira didn’t start with their collaboration on her spectacular medley for the half-time show. He’s already produced five songs for the star, including her most recent hit “Me Gusta.” This is just one of his productions to have charted over the past few years, as he’s collaborated on hits for Becky G, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Niki Minaj.
SOCAN is proud of AC Vasquez’s international success, and wishes him many more high-profile accomplishments to come.
