- The Madrid artist UMEN releases an extended and explosive version of the Shakira and Alejandro Sanz classic.
- The production, by Kasem Fahmi, fuses the nostalgia of Latin pop with strong electronic drops.
- The track is designed to dominate dance pop playlists and dance floors in 2026.
Madrid artist UMEN has presented his new reinterpretation of “La Tortura”, transforming Shakira and Alejandro Sanz’s iconic hit into a vibrant EDM piece. Under the production of Kasem Fahmi, this version seeks to connect generational nostalgia with the most current and powerful electronic sounds.
A sonic journey from nostalgia to the dance floor
This new extended version is not limited to being a simple cover. UMEN has managed to put its personal stamp on a dynamic structure that respects the emotional charge of the original, but elevates it through contemporary electronic rhythms. The collaboration with producer Kasem Fahmi has been fundamental to achieving this sound, consolidating a creative connection that is already a trademark of the artist’s project.
The musical proposal moves away from the original reggaeton to embrace the EDM universe, where intensity and rhythm are the absolute protagonists. The result is a track designed directly for the clubber environment, revitalizing a global classic that marked an entire generation two decades ago and that now finds a new life in electronic festivals.
UMEN: Madrid identity with global projection
Behind the stage name of UMEN is Michael Umendu Ríos, a musician born in Madrid to a Nigerian father and a Madrid mother. Their artistic proposal is a melting pot of influences that range between electropop, R&B and dance, always maintaining a balance between emotional vulnerability and audacity on stage.
His career is backed by solid live experience. UMEN has been part of prestigious vocal formations such as Gospel Factory and Black Lights, which gives it exceptional technical control. This power was demonstrated in its recent passage through Puerta del Sol during the Culture Bling festival of Madrid Orgullo 2025, in addition to hanging the “sold out” sign in emblematic venues in the capital such as Siroco, Café La Palma and Sala Vesta.
With this release, UMEN positions itself as one of the figures to follow in national dance pop. The choice of “La Tortura” as the basis for his sound experimentation is not coincidental; It represents the union of popular culture with the avant-garde of electronic production. The track is already emerging as a must-have for lists of classic and dance music reworks.
