In what promises to be a groundbreaking fusion of traditional and contemporary Puerto Rican sounds, Los Pleneros de la Cresta have announced plans to release new music in 2025, featuring prominent trap artist Young Miko. The collaboration, which blends the centuries-old plena tradition with modern trap elements, emerged from the group’s participation in a high-profile music residency program spearheaded by reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny.
The collision of plena’s ancestral rhythms with Young Miko’s trap innovation represents Puerto Rico’s musical past and future in harmonious dialogue.
The partnership represents a significant cultural contribution to Puerto Rico’s evolving musical landscape, where traditional forms increasingly intersect with urban genres. Young Miko, recognized for her innovative approach to reggaeton and trap, brings her distinctive style to a project that aims to honor ancestral rhythms while pushing creative boundaries.
Both parties have described their songwriting process as remarkably organic, with intensive studio sessions yielding results more quickly than anticipated. The group’s experience collaborating with John Mico has prepared them for this new venture, as they previously created music in a similar fast-paced studio environment.
Los Pleneros’ involvement in Bad Bunny’s 2025 residency program proved instrumental in facilitating the collaboration, providing the traditional ensemble with unprecedented exposure to contemporary audiences. The group has mastered the art of audio sampling to incorporate authentic plena percussion sounds into digitally produced trap beats, creating a unique sonic signature for the project. Founded in 2013 at the University of Puerto Rico, Los Pleneros de la Cresta has consistently demonstrated their commitment to preserving and promoting plena music. The residency, designed to spotlight emerging Puerto Rican talent, created a fertile environment for cross-genre experimentation that directly influenced the upcoming release’s sound profile.
“This project represents our commitment to preserving plena’s cultural essence while demonstrating its relevance to today’s musical conversations,” explained a representative from Los Pleneros.
The fusion aims to engage younger listeners with Puerto Rico’s rich musical heritage through familiar trap elements, creating an accessible entry point to traditional sounds.
The production process carefully balances authentic plena percussion with modern trap beats, maintaining cultural integrity while embracing innovation. Scheduled for late 2025, the release forms part of a broader movement to expand Puerto Rico’s musical footprint globally.
Music critics anticipate the collaboration will highlight plena’s versatility and contemporary applications, potentially inspiring similar fusions across the island’s musical landscape.
For fans of both traditional and urban genres, the upcoming track promises a unique listening experience that bridges generational and stylistic divides. The group plans to maximize their reach through editorial playlist submissions and targeted social media campaigns to connect with diverse audiences across streaming platforms.
