By 2011, the duo had branched into EDM, and collaborated with David Guetta on the song "Where Them Girls At" featuring Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida. In 2014 Play-N-Skillz connected with Redfoo of the group LMFAO 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" for Daddy Yankee. A remix version featuring American singer Katy 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.
Background
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 of Argentine and Venezuelan descent and were raised in Texas. While attending Irving High School, in Dallas County, the two began to pursue their childhood passion of DJing, 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 with Houston-based rapper Lil' 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 with The Process (2005), which included the single "Freaks", featuring Adina Howard and Krayzie Bone (of Cleveland-based group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony). The album’s third single, "Call Me", featured fellow Texan artist Chamillionaire, with whom Play-N Skillz would soon collaborate again, producing his voice popular 2006 single "Ridin'". This was the first of two Grammy Award-winning productions for the Salinas brothers, winning Best Rap Collaboration (by a group or duo) at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.[5]
2008–2017
In 2008, Play-N-Skillz worked with New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne to create the song "Got Money" for his album Tha 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 the EDM (electronic dance music) scene, crossing paths with David 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" featuring Nicki Minaj and Flo 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 with Puerto Rican artist and reggaetoneroDaddy Yankee, which spent 20 weeks on the charts and earned them their first Latin Billboard 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 the Selena Quintanilla classic "Si Una Vez", creating a Spanish-language version featuring vocalists Frankie J, Wisin and Leslie Grace,[6] and an English version with Becky G and Kap G. The single instantly became a viral sensation, topping the Shazzam and iTunes charts, as well as spending 23 weeks on the Billboard charts, earning the brothers their second consecutive Billboard Latin Music Award nomination.[7]
Current era
At the beginning of 2018, the Salinas brothers teamed-up with DJ Steve 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 in Miami, Florida.
Play-N-Skillz released their third official single under Sony Latin, "Cuidao", featuring Yandel & Messiah. The song received over 10 million views on VEVO in less than three weeks.[citation needed]
In 2019, Play-N-Skillz produced and co-wrote the #1 worldwide diamond-certified single "Con Calma" with Daddy Yankee. A remixed version, featuring American singer Katy Perry, was released on April 19, 2019. The song was used in the Spies 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 the Hot Latin Songs chart for 14 weeks. Across Europe, the single peaked at #1 in the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, and reached the Top 5 in Belgium, Poland and Switzerland. The song also became the longest-reigning #1 on the Argentina Hot 100, at ten weeks.
In 2020, Play-N-SKillz produced and co-wrote "Muévelo" by Nicky Jam with Daddy Yankee. It was released as the second single from the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack. It reached #1 on the US Latin Airplay chart. The duo also produced and co-wrote "Rompe Rodilla" for Puerto Rican singer Guaynaa. 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 DJ Willy William, featuring El Alfa (Dominican Republic), Sean Paul (Jamaica) and Sfera Ebbasta (Italy).
In 2021, the duo released "Baila Así", or "dance like that", a collaboration with famed Mexican singer Thalía and Mexican-American singers Becky G and Chiquis (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 the Lo Nuestro Awards in 2022.
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