Makano

Makano never dreamed of singing romantic style reggae.

As a teenager in Panamá, Ernán Enrique Jiménez grew up wanting to be like '70s and '80s balladeers José José, Camilo Sesto and Dyango. But times have changed. "It's very hard to sing ballads [these days]," laments Makano, before adding: "But now I only want to do romantic style." And with good reason. The 26-year-old's single, Te Amo, which is all over pop radio and ringtones, could become this year's "Te Quiero" by Flex.

Makano's debut album, also titled Te Amo, has remained on Billboard's Top 10 Latin Rhythm Albums chart for nearly a month. It features two romantikeo tracks that made him a star in his native Panamá: Te Va Doler and Si Tu No Le Dices. His newest single, Dejame Entrar, combines the dem bow of R.K.M y Ken-Y and the romanticism of Eddy Lover. It's "more intimate," explains Makano, "my music allows you to think, feel and reflect."

Although he's not singing old-school ballads anymore, Makano says he wants to reach listeners the same way his idols did: "My dream is that if someone does not know how to express what he or she has inside, that person can do it through my songs."

See: myspace.com/makanospace