Lana Akmaluna
The historic heart of Madrid was transformed into a modern sanctuary of urban rhythm on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as Spanish artist Rels B presented his latest studio project, love love FLAKK, to an audience of over 11,000 fans. The event, held in the iconic Plaza Mayor, served as a grand-scale listening party just hours before the album’s official release on global streaming platforms at midnight. Orchestrated by Dale Play Records, the presentation marked a pivotal moment in the career of the Mallorca-born artist, who had spent the preceding six months in self-imposed exile in Colombia to craft what he describes as the most personal work of his discography.
A Historic Stage for a Modern Sound
The choice of Plaza Mayor for the unveiling of love love FLAKK was both a logistical feat and a symbolic statement. Traditionally a site for civic ceremonies and historical milestones, the square’s Baroque architecture provided a stark, classical contrast to the cutting-edge urban pop and R&B sounds emanating from the stage. According to figures released by the event organizers and local authorities, the capacity of the square was pushed to its limits, with fans occupying every available square inch of the pavement, while hundreds more observed from the surrounding balconies of private residences and hotels.
The stage itself was a marvel of minimalist design, featuring a large, transparent structure that allowed the artist to remain visible from all angles while maintaining an intimate connection with the crowd. Rels B, born Daniel Heredia Vidal, took the stage with a sense of visible gratitude, acknowledging the rarity of such a massive gathering in the digital age. "In these times when everything is so instant, having your attention is a privilege," he told the crowd, emphasizing the transition from the fast-paced consumption of social media to the communal experience of a live listening event.
During the performance, the artist played all 11 tracks of the new album in sequence. The crowd’s reaction was particularly fervent during the more upbeat Afrobeat and urban pop segments, though a hushed reverence fell over the square during the more experimental Bossa Nova and R&B tracks. The event served as a testament to Rels B’s evolution from a niche SoundCloud rapper to a global powerhouse capable of commanding the historical landmarks of the Spanish capital.
The Colombian Genesis: Six Months in El Retiro
The sonic landscape of love love FLAKK is deeply rooted in the geography of its creation. For half a year, Rels B retreated to El Retiro, a mountainous municipality located on the outskirts of Medellín, Colombia. Known for its cool climate and lush greenery, the region provided a stark contrast to the Mediterranean heat of his native Mallorca or the frantic energy of the international touring circuit.
Working alongside a core group of close collaborators, the artist established a makeshift studio in a mountain house. This environment, characterized by fireplaces and constant pots of local coffee, allowed for a slower, more deliberate creative process. In a subsequent interview with Billboard Español, the artist noted that this period was essential for his mental health and artistic longevity. He admitted to having grown "resentful" of the music industry and his own career trajectory before the move to Colombia.
The isolation of the mountains allowed Rels B to reconnect with the "simple things," a theme that permeates the lyrics of the new album. By stepping away from the "noise" of the city and the pressures of celebrity, he was able to rediscover the joy of creation for its own sake. "The mountains were like a reminder," he reflected. "I had to be proud of what we’ve done. love love FLAKK is like a hug to myself, to my music, and to everything we’ve created."
Exploring the Sonic Architecture of love love FLAKK
Musically, love love FLAKK represents a sophisticated departure from the artist’s earlier trap and hip-hop influences. The 11-track project is a genre-bending exploration that weaves together Afrobeats, contemporary R&B, and traditional Brazilian Bossa Nova. This evolution is most evident in the track "Pañuelito de Seda," a song built around soft, atmospheric Bossa Nova rhythms. Rels B revealed that he has been a student of the genre for years, citing a deep respect for its technical delicacy and professional requirements.
Another cornerstone of the album is the track "Aprendí a Decir No" (I Learned to Say No). The artist identifies this song as the conceptual heart of the project. It addresses the psychological toll of fame and the necessity of establishing personal boundaries. "I came from not knowing how to say no," he explained, noting that the realization that some people and opportunities must be rejected was a turning point in his personal development.
The album’s most anticipated collaboration is "El Cielo," featuring the Grammy-winning Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis. The partnership was years in the making, originating from a direct message Rels B sent to Uchis expressing his admiration for her work. The track came together naturally during the Colombian sessions; after Rels B sent her a demo he felt suited her style, she responded with enthusiasm and recorded her verses shortly thereafter. The result is a lush, ethereal track that bridges the gap between Spanish urban music and the global alternative R&B scene.
Supporting Data and Industry Impact
The release of love love FLAKK comes at a time when Spanish-language urban music is dominating global charts. Rels B has consistently been a leader in this movement, boasting over 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify and billions of views on YouTube. His previous projects, such as Afrolova ’23 and La Isla, established him as a versatile artist capable of blending Latin rhythms with global pop sensibilities.
Industry analysts suggest that love love FLAKK will likely solidify his position in the "Big Three" of Spanish urban artists alongside figures like Quevedo and C. Tangana. The involvement of Dale Play Records, a label known for its strategic handling of top-tier Latin talent (including Bizarrap and Nicki Nicole), ensures that the album will receive significant promotional backing across Latin America and the United States.
Data from the first 24 hours of the album’s pre-release buzz indicated a high level of engagement in markets beyond Spain, particularly in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. This international appeal is a direct result of Rels B’s frequent collaborations with Latin American artists and his ability to adapt his sound to various regional influences without losing his distinct Spanish identity.
Timeline of the A New Star World Tour
The presentation at Plaza Mayor is not an isolated event but the precursor to a massive logistical undertaking. The artist is currently in the midst of his "A New Star World Tour," a global trek that has seen him perform in major arenas across the Americas and Europe. The tour is scheduled to culminate in a massive homecoming show on July 4, 2026, at Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.
The stadium show is expected to be the largest of his career, featuring a production scale rarely seen in the Spanish urban genre. Rels B teased that the concert would involve over 40 songs, two different live bands, and a significant number of guest musicians. "It’s going to be a one-of-a-kind concert," he stated. "I’m going to give it my all and close this chapter on a high note."
The transition from the intimate, fireplace-lit sessions in the Colombian mountains to the 70,000-capacity Metropolitano Stadium highlights the dual nature of Rels B’s current career phase: a deeply personal artistic interiority paired with a massive, stadium-filling public persona.
Broader Implications for the Spanish Music Scene
The success of the Plaza Mayor event and the subsequent release of love love FLAKK signal a shift in how urban music is presented in Spain. By opting for a historic public square rather than a traditional indoor venue, Rels B has challenged the boundaries of where contemporary music "belongs." This move mirrors a broader trend of urban artists seeking legitimacy through high-concept public art and historical context.
Furthermore, the album’s heavy reliance on live instrumentation and complex genres like Bossa Nova suggests a maturing of the urban genre. As artists like Rels B move away from the "instant" nature of digital production toward more organic and "healed" sounds, the definition of "urban" continues to expand.
As the sun set over the Plaza Mayor on Thursday night, the thousands of fans dispersing into the streets of Madrid were not just leaving a concert; they were carrying with them the first echoes of a project that Rels B considers the "No. 1 album of my life." With love love FLAKK, the artist has not only returned to the spotlight but has done so on his own terms, carrying the quiet wisdom of the Colombian mountains into the heart of the Spanish capital.
