musical history

Bachata Rosa made the Dominican Republic's obscure country style of bachata an international hit with elaborately witty, sensual lyrics and catchy melodies. It sold four million copies worldwide and paved the way for the current popular wave of bachata artists like Monchy & Alexandra. On Fogaraté! (1994) he blended another obscure Dominican style, raucous perico ripiao, with African soukous.

Although love songs are a large part of his repertoire, social themes continue to inspire Guerra. The video for 1992's El costo de la vida (The cost of living), a sharp look at the troubles of poverty, was banned in parts of Latin America. It's a concern that is still rare among popular Latin musicians.

"It's part of our daily life in the Dominican Republic -- our newspaper gives me ideas,'' Guerra says. "When I heard Rubén Blades doing this with salsa, that opened the door for me to think I could do the same with merengue. But I think there's a lot more to be done on this line, and I don't know why others don't do it."

But he makes only a mild recommendation to the new generation of Dominican musicians, whether hardcore urban merengue or pop-bachata artists, who are more popular than ever. "I'm in no position to be a critic," he says. "But this is something I'd recommend to everyone -- don't disregard how you express yourself. We have to take care of our musical patrimony."

But Guerra seems determined to stay outside the commercial fray. He has remained with a small label, Karen, largely because they let him make his own recording schedule. Six years ago he bought a television station and two radio stations in the Dominican Republic, a successful business that enables him to spend more time with his wife and two children.

At the same time he converted to evangelism, which he says has given him greater certainty and personal independence. "What I have is a personal relationship with God, and I think he's come into my life to give me more willpower," he says.

In a way, his personal faith translates into his faith in his music. "Everything has its time," he says. "There's a time to come out ahead, there's a time to wait. Nothing is easy. You have to keep working and do the best you can."