DNX 4 brings urban bachata sound to Bradley Beach
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The Jersey City up-and-coming urban bachata group DNX 4 is ready for their Jersey Shore debut Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Latin Fest 2023 at Riley Park in Bradley Beach.
Their rehearsals included a recent impromptu jam on the Asbury Park boardwalk.
“I was so happy because they were screaming the songs with us,” said band member Junior “Jus Jay” Rosario, 17, Jersey City, of the reaction on the boardwalk.
DNX 4, which includes Jean “JeanZ” Rosario, 16, Jersey City; Johvany “Gio” Castillo, 18, Jersey City; and Keven Nuñez, 18, Bogota, came together earlier this year after an open casting call from industry man Marvin Flores, whose credits include working on the team that broke superstar American bachata group Aventura.
“The idea came together during COVID,” said Flores, who lives in Clifton. “Once we get over this, people are going to want to get back to hearing live music.”
So far, the DNX 4 has released two singles, “Me Porto Bonito,” a bachata-style Bad Bunny cover, and “Bori,” a bachata version of the Tekashi 69 and Lenier single.
Bachata is a vocal and guitar-based music born in the barrios of the Dominican Republic. It's at the top of the charts these days thanks to a modernized version of it performed by groups like Aventura.
DNX 4 is looking to bring it to the next generation.
“Kids are looking for a modern version so we're adding colors to it,” Junior said.
More: Romeo Santos takes center stage in Aventura farewell concert at MetLife Stadium
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DNX 4 has been taking the show on the road. They played the Stop Hate Teen Tour, an anti-bullying and mental health awareness school tour that hit schools and clubs in Jersey City and Paterson.
They also played the Plaza de las Americas in Washington Heights neighborhood of New York, not far from where Aventura, and frontman Romeo Santos, launched their careers.
“This this was a dream for me and it came true,” Junior said.
Maybe someday, like Romeo Santos and Aventura, they'll play MetLife Stadium?
“I want to get to the point where I can fill (MetLife) with the whole group,” Junior said.
Go: Bradley Beach Latin Fest 2023 with DNX 4, Swing Sabroso, Latin Mix Masters and Willie Will, 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, Riley Park, 615 Main St., Bradley Beach, free; bradleybeachnj.gov.
Celebrate Hank Williams' 100th birthday
It's a Hank on the roof birthday bash.
The 100th birthday of the great Hank Williams is Sept. 17, and local talent is headed to the roof of Bell Works in Holmdel on Sunday, Sept. 10, to celebrate. Pat Guadagno and His Lonesome Cowboys, Jackson Pines, Stormin’ Norman Seldin, Michael Patrick, Cranston Dean and more will play the music of the legendary singer-songwriter.
“You’ll hear ‘em all, like you never have before,” Guadagno said.
Williams hits include “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin' “ and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and there's many more. All were composed and performed by the time Williams was 29. That was his age on New Year's Day in 1953 when he passed away on due to heart failure.
Go: Hank Williams Birthday Celebration, 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, $35 in advance/$45 at the door; patguadagno.com.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bachata: DNX 4 brings urban sound to Bradley Beach Latin Fest 2023
