Pablo Flores

Pablo Flores is a Puerto Rican remixer, DJ, music producer and arranger; known for being Gloria Estefan's personal remixer.

At the age of 16, Pablo Flores was already putting his love of pop music to work managing San Juan, Puerto Rico’s top record store and eventually, at 19, opening his own music store "El Discobolo". Even though it carried a wide variety of music genres, “El Discobolo” specialized in dance music, catering to club DJs.

Flores' expertise in dance music then led to a 17-year career as Latin America’s top club DJ, spinning records at San Juan's legendary Bachelor discotheque. There, he created exclusive versions of current songs, transforming romantic Latin ballads into high energy dance floor hits by blending Latin, European and American rhythms, into his own unique sound.

In 1984, Flores' distinctive style caught the attention of Miami Sound Machine's Emilio and Gloria Estefan, at the time preparing their first English-language record. After visiting Bachelor and hearing Flores' up-tempo version of one of their ballads, they asked him to remix the first single, “Dr. Beat”, from their forthcoming album. Topping the dance charts in the U.S. and Europe, that remix of “Dr. Beat” paved the way for Gloria Estefan’s signature hit “Conga”. Flores' remix of “Conga” was the version released as the single and album track, catapulting Gloria’s career as the top Latin crossover artist in the last 30 years, and establishing Flores' reputation as a hit making remixer. Since then, Pablo has produced over 30 remixes for Gloria Estefan.

Time and time again he has proven to be a major influence in many artists’ careers.

In 1996 Ricky Martin was well known in Latin America but it was Flores' and longtime friend and collaborator Javier Garza’s remixed version of “Maria”, that exploded worldwide, selling millions of copies and establishing Ricky’s crossover success. Because of the impact of that remix, with its fusion of Brazilian and Afro-Latin percussion, Ricky was asked to create a theme for the 1998 World Cup, and so the mega-hit “The Cup of Life” was created, with many of the melodic and percussive elements of the “Maria” remix. Flores' remix of “The Cup of Life” was one of 1998’s biggest selling records. Pablo has made a total of 14 remixes for Ricky Martin.

Superstar Madonna also sought out Flores' unique sound for her singles “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and “Buenos Aires” from her film “Evita”. The only commissioned remix of that song, Flores' version of “Don’t Cry...” sold millions and generated pop radio’s interest in playing the song.

Another notable example of Flores' versatility and knack for creating pop hits is Colombian superstar Shakira. In addition to producing five important remixes for Shakira, Flores delved into the world of songwriting and co-wrote and co-produced her smash hit “Ojos Asi”, the arab influenced rock / dance tune that not only jump- started her international success, but earned her a 2000 Grammy. More than any other song from her extensive catalog, “Ojos Asi” is featured on five different Shakira albums, including an English language version, “Eyes Like Yours”, on the multi-platinum “Laundry Service”.

Flores' remix of Jennifer Lopez's first single “If You Had My Love” was featured in the video of that song, earning her a Best Dance Video Grammy nomination.

Flores was nominated for a Grammy for his work on Jennifer Lopez' song “Let’s Get Loud” from her first album.

Another part of Flores' multi-faceted career was his 3 years (1987-1990) as an exclusive remixer for popular Puerto Rican radio station, KQ-105, and in 1989 as resident DJ on the hit Puerto Rican TV show, Party Time.

Pablo has continued to develop his unique style as evidenced in hits from not only major Latin artists like Marc Anthony, Thalia, Carlos Vives and Olga Tañón, but also from mainstream pop stars such as Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, N’sync, Backstreet Boys and Mandy Moore to name a few.

In 2011, Flores collaborated again with his mentor, Gloria Estefan. “Miss Little Havana”, Estefan's first release in English in 8 years, has already produced “Wepa”, and the 2nd single “Hotel Nacional” both of which reached the #1 spot on Billboard’s Dance Charts. Flores' remixes of both songs are considered to be among the most outstanding.

His most recent remix work is "This is Our Love" for new Miami based singer Sophi, and the anthem "I'm Free" for Dutch superstar Angelique Van Hamersveld.

Pablo is currently preparing a return to his DJ facet, and can be heard on his Mix Show "Magic Mix" on Puerto Rico's Magic 97.3 FM, and on www.magic973.com, Fridays at 6:00 PM EDT.