Following the announcement of his tracklist last week, which sent shockwaves through the music industry, Diamante Blackmon, known globally as GORDO, has released his groundbreaking debut album, DIAMANTE, via Ultra Records. The tracklist initially featured one blurred-out track, sparking much speculation. Now, GORDO officially reveals that the mystery track is a surprise collaboration with his long-time friend Drake, titled ‘Healing’, the second collaboration with Drake featured on the album.
“There’s nothing I would change; I suppose that’s why it took four years—to make sure I could look at it and know it’s perfect,” GORDO reflects on the 16-track album released today. “This album is dedicated to my grandmother, my family, friends, and loved ones. I hope you enjoy what I believe to be some of the best music I’ve ever created.”
This album represents a pivotal moment in GORDO’s career, blending his Nicaraguan-American heritage with a diverse array of musical styles, including Dance, Hip Hop, Pop, Reggaeton, Indie, and Jazz. After more than four years of dedicated production work, DIAMANTE showcases GORDO’s evolution from a prolific DJ, producer, and collaborator to a visionary artist pushing musical boundaries. Featuring an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Fuerza Regida, T-Pain, Leon Bridges, Rampa, Larry June, Nicki Nicole, and Maluma, this album is a testament to GORDO’s ability to create a cohesive and genre-defying musical journey.
Although they had been friends for over a decade, GORDO and Drake’s musical collaboration didn’t begin until Drake’s dance-infused album Honestly, Nevermind, released in the summer of 2022. On ‘DIAMANTE,’ Drake’s vocals blend seamlessly with GORDO’s production, creating a powerful synergy on tracks ‘Sideways’ and ‘Healing’.
In exploring GORDO’s current role in the electronic music scene, he’s collaborated with an impressive array of DJs and producers. On ‘Guard Down’, the Nicaraguan-American artist teams up with &ME for a surprisingly contemplative introduction, where trickling melodies and a subtle rolling beat complement inspired vocal harmonies. Despite its layered sound, GORDO reveals that the track features the vocals of one artist, Alice Aera.
There is a lot more to discover from GORDO’s debut album, and you can now listen to it on all available streaming platforms.
Stay tuned for more news!