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Reggaeton artist and saxophonist, Robert Arturo Mejia Santos—known to the world as Altur Santos—is the musician you’ve been waiting to add to your summer playlist. His latest energetic single, “Vice Versa,” explores a toxic relationship while hyping listeners up to dance.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised on music by his talented mother, Altur knew early on shared his mother’s passion for music—and went on to pave his own path in the industry. Ana Gil, the artist’s mother, was a renowned trumpet player who inspired Altur to learn to play the saxophone at age 10.
“Everything started with my mom,” recalls Altur. “By the age of 14, I was already playing professionally. I went to music school for music theory and playing the saxophone. I also learned other instruments like the piano, tenor sax, and others in the family of the saxophone. Then I started making music. I put together a small studio, and people started coming and recording. I became a producer kind of. At the same time, I was learning the computer. I became a crazy computer tech,” laughs Altur. “Now it’s easy for me to make music and understand the programs to make music.”
Altur went on to become a highly requested saxophonist for well-known acts, including Amarfis, Omega, and Sin Fronteras. Concurrently, Altur began developing his skills as a solo reggaeton artist, songwriter, and producer.
When his mother passed unexpectedly, Altur separated himself from music and the pain it brought him. He relocated to Canada in the name of love. Eventually, the move didn’t make sense for him, and he fell back into music.
“I wanted to continue music, so I got in a studio in Canada. Things started happening. I released one track, then 2-3 months later, I got a call from somebody saying, ‘I’m going to sign you.’” That call was from his now-manager, who saw Altur’s drive, passion, and talent for music. “When he saw me making music, he said, ‘From now on, I got your back forever.’ We made one track, and the universe started gravitating toward us. We made a second track and saw more growth, more people, more fans. Then I got signed to a label and started working with people I’ve only dreamed of working with.”
Altur Santos’ moniker—Altur—was born from a suggestion by his manager. At the time, Rosalia’s “Con Altura” had just come out, and the two were playing with the idea of the word “altura,” which enabled Altur to play off his second name, Arturo. It stuck, and he never went back.
“Vice Versa” is a party song and an anthem of release from a toxic relationship. “It’s about a girl who likes to play games. She’s manipulative,” explains Altur. “She likes to mess with my mind. She knows what she’s doing—she’s ahead of the game. I’m thinking it’s Bonnie and Clyde in my head, but she’s playing games, trying to always be ahead of me in the sense of cheating on me but also messing with my head. She doesn’t actually love me.”
It’s a reggaeton track that takes on another meaning when you can comprehend the Spanish. “It’s all about the concept and dialect,” shares the artist. “The way I’m saying things is very metaphoric, poetic. It’s also a song you can dance to, put in your car and sing out loud. It gives you that energy, ‘I don’t want to be with that woman anymore.’ Listeners can understand what I’m talking about, especially those who are out of a bad relationship.”
While Altur doesn’t showcase his saxophone skills in this one, his vocals alone are worth revisiting time and time again. The artist puts passion into his songs, beginning with their creation. “Normally, I get a beat and I go and record some melodies. They speak to me, and then I put words into it. It’s a feeling. I think about the video and the story and how it’s going to happen.”
“The advice I would give to people is you have to know where you came from to know where you’re going,” shares Altur. “Start living more in the present. If you live in the past and the future, you’re already going down the wrong path. And be grateful for what God in this life gives you.”
Make sure to stay connected to Altur Santos on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.