Play-N-Skillz | |
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| Origin | Irving, Texas,United States |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
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| Website | web |
Play-N-Skillz are a Latin/Americanrecord production/DJ group duo fromDallas, Texas, consisting of brothers Juan "Play" Salinas and Oscar "Skillz" Salinas. Their production has won several Grammys including theGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2007 for their production on the single "Ridin'" byChamillionaire andKrayzie Bone, and theGrammy Award for Best Rap Album forLil Wayne'sTha Carter III (2008), which included their production on the single "Got Money".[1][2]
By 2011, the duo had branched intoEDM, and collaborated withDavid Guetta on the song "Where Them Girls At" featuringNicki Minaj andFlo Rida. In 2014 Play-N-Skillz connected withRedfoo of the groupLMFAO and went on tour with him around the world while working on Redfoo's solo album, where they wrote and produced the multi-platinum global hit "New Thang" as well as the controversial "Literally I Can't".[3]
The duo also releases music through their record deal with Sony Latin Music, where they have had a partnership since 2016. In 2019, Play-N-Skillz produced and co-wrote the diamond single "Con Calma" forDaddy Yankee. A remix version featuring American singerKaty Perry was released on April 19, 2019. The brothers have also expanded their brand into other business ventures including being named the creative directors at CTM Latin Music Publishing, while also gaining a position of ownership in the company.
Music producers,singer-songwriters and DJs Juan "Play" Salinas and younger brother Oscar "Skillz" Salinas form the duo Play-N-Skillz. The Salinas brothers are ofArgentine andVenezuelan descent and were raised in Texas. While attendingIrving High School, inDallas County, the two began to pursue their childhood passion ofDJing, starting with school parties. After becoming well known in the Dallas area as DJs, the brothers built a temporary studio in their mother's apartment and began to explore music production.[4]
In early 2003, a chance meeting withHouston-based rapperLil' Flip opened the doors for Play-N-Skillz, who went-on to produce the majority of Lil' Flip's highly anticipated album,U Gotta Feel Me (2004). The success of this collaboration led to the duo’s own debut withThe Process (2005), which included the single "Freaks", featuringAdina Howard andKrayzie Bone (ofCleveland-based groupBone Thugs-n-Harmony). The album’s third single, "Call Me", featured fellow Texan artistChamillionaire, with whom Play-N Skillz would soon collaborate again, producing his voice popular 2006 single "Ridin'". This was the first of twoGrammy Award-winning productions for the Salinas brothers, winning Best Rap Collaboration (by a group or duo) at the49th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]
In 2008, Play-N-Skillz worked with New Orleans rapperLil Wayne to create the song "Got Money" for his albumTha Carter III (2008). The song soared to the top of both the hip-hop and mainstream pop charts, and was nominated for three Grammy Awards.[citation needed]
Three years later, the duo brought their music to theEDM (electronic dance music) scene, crossing paths withDavid Guetta, with whom they saw a mutual opportunity. Together, they co-wrote and arranged his music, leading to the 2011 hit "Where Them Girls At" featuringNicki Minaj andFlo Rida.
In 2016, the DJs signed with Latium Records/Sony Music Latin and eventually released the single "No Es Ilegal (Not a Crime)", a collaboration withPuerto Rican artist andreggaetoneroDaddy Yankee, which spent 20 weeks on the charts and earned them their first LatinBillboard nomination for best duo or group in 2017.[citation needed] On the heels of this success, the duo released their follow-up single in 2017, a modern remake of theSelena Quintanilla classic "Si Una Vez", creating a Spanish-language version featuring vocalistsFrankie J,Wisin andLeslie Grace,[6] and an English version withBecky G andKap G. The single instantly became a viral sensation, topping theShazzam andiTunes charts, as well as spending 23 weeks on theBillboard charts, earning the brothers their second consecutiveBillboard Latin Music Award nomination.[7]
At the beginning of 2018, the Salinas brothers teamed-up with DJSteve Aoki,Elvis Crespo, and again with Daddy Yankee for the release of their global hit, "Azukita". In March of that year, the group of artists all performed on one of the biggest stages in the world,Ultra Music Festival inMiami, Florida.
Also in March 2018, Play-N-Skillz was featured by DominicanLatin trap artistMessiah on his debut single "Pum Pum", released throughAtlantic Records, which the brothers produced, as well. They also worked withSouth Korean boy bandSuper Junior on the song "Lo Siento".[citation needed]
Play-N-Skillz released their third official single under Sony Latin, "Cuidao", featuringYandel & Messiah. The song received over 10 million views onVEVO in less than three weeks.[citation needed]
In 2019, Play-N-Skillz produced and co-wrote the #1 worldwidediamond-certified single "Con Calma" with Daddy Yankee. A remixed version, featuring American singerKaty Perry, was released on April 19, 2019. The song was used in theSpies in Disguise (2019). Commercially, and as a Spanish-language song, the song topped the charts in 20 countries and territories, and reached the Top 10 of ten others. In the United States, it topped theHot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks. Across Europe, the single peaked at #1 in theCzech Republic,Italy, theNetherlands,Slovenia andSpain, and reached the Top 5 inBelgium,Poland andSwitzerland. The song also became the longest-reigning #1 on theArgentina Hot 100, at ten weeks.
In 2020, Play-N-SKillz produced and co-wrote "Muévelo" byNicky Jam with Daddy Yankee. It was released as the second single from theBad Boys for Life soundtrack. It reached #1 on the USLatin Airplay chart. The duo also produced and co-wrote "Rompe Rodilla" for Puerto Rican singerGuaynaa. That same year also saw their international collaboration "Mambo" come to life, as Play-N-Skillz masterminded, co-wrote and co-produced a transnational anthem with Steve Aoki and French DJWilly William, featuringEl Alfa (Dominican Republic),Sean Paul (Jamaica) andSfera Ebbasta (Italy).
In 2021, the duo released "Baila Así", or "dance like that", a collaboration with famed Mexican singerThalía and Mexican-American singers Becky G andChiquis (Rivera). The song reached the Top 10 of the Hot Latin Songs chart and was nominated for Urban Dance/Pop Song of the Year at theLo Nuestro Awards in 2022.
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