Who is Gordo? Nicaraguan-American DJ trends after releasing track list for his new album hosting a Drake feature

Diamanté Blackmon, known professionally as Gordo, is a Nicaraguan-American DJ, producer, and rapper, who used to go by the stage name Carnage. Gordo has worked with some of the biggest artists and their projects which include Mac Miller's Learn How To Watch to Drake's Honestly, Nevermind.

The DJ took to social media this week to announce the official tracklist for his highly anticipated self-titled album, Diamanté, which will be distributed to streaming services tomorrow via Ultra Records, LLC. The confirmed tracklist also hosts a feature from Drake on the song titled Sideways.

Gordo's Diamanté will include a total of 15 full-length tracks, with one surprise song which is yet to be revealed. The LP will include guest appearances from T-Pain, Leon Bridges, FEID, Young Dolph, among others. The complete tracklist for the Guatemalan DJ's upcoming album has been provided below:

1. Guard Down (Feat. &ME)
2. Sideways (Feat. Drake)
3. Honeyland (Feat. Afshin Momadi)
4. Easier (Feat. Rampa)
5. Target (Feat. T-Pain)
6. Lake Como (Feat. Larry June)
7. Candid Zone (Feat. Leon Bridges)
8. Nene (Feat. Fuerza Regida)
9. Cafecito (Feat. Nicki Nicole x Sech)
10. Parcera (Feat. Maluma)
11. Hombres Y Mujeres (Feat. FEID)
12. Kill For This Sh*t (Feat. Young Dolph)
13. Take Control
14. WDYM (Feat. Karolina Falk)
15. Aura (Feat. NTO)

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Everything we know about Gordo and his upcoming album Diamanté

The Nicaraguan-American music producer has been a DJ for more than 20 years and has curated an expansive list of genres amongst his discography and is also credited for pioneering house, club, and techno genres across the world.

After spending years working on a variety of musical genres, Gordo is preparing for his new LP which will reportedly be a "tight, cohesive record" given that Blackmon has been working on Diamanté for the past four years.

On July 23, the producer was interviewed by Rolling Stones about his upcoming album, Diamanté, where he explained:

"There’s a purpose with this album — and the purpose is that I’m connecting the dots between all these different worlds, and I’m doing it the most tasteful way possible”

Gordo goes on to explain how throughout his career he's garnered a fanbase that is more versatile than traditional listeners, citing how this album will "bounce" between several genres providing a unique listening experience.

“If you’re open-minded and listening to music all the time, then you’re going to like this album," Blackmon tells Rolling Stones magazine.

While producing Diamanté, Gordo cited how he traveled across the world and based several of his sonic elements on new experiences he was introduced to in cities such as Hawaii, Thailand, Las Vegas, and more.

When explaining how he brought together this unexpected list of collaborations, Blackmon stated how he wished to stretch the possibilities of his musical capability and expand deeper into genres like rap, dance, house, and techno.

The DJ also explained how while creating Diamanté he would send several tracks to Drake for the Canadian rapper's opinion on the record. He cited his massive respect for Drizzy and proclaimed how his iconic rap beef with Kendrick Lamar left him "unfazed" about the OVO CEO's position and status in hip-hop.

“F--k all the bulls--t to the side with everything that’s happening right now. Drake is Drake, right? And if Drake says, This is it, and this is what you should listen to, this is what I listen to, and this is an incredible piece of work, and he rides for me that heavy and he’s letting the world know that, then that says a lot," Gordo stated.

Gordo revisited his friendship with Drake, citing that they became close friends during their work together on Drizzy's 2022 dance-EDM album Honestly, Nevermind. The DJ recounted living at the Canadian rapper's house for several months while working on tracks like Sticky, Massive, and Tie That Binds.

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The self-titled album's inspiration appears to draw from deeper personal experiences, which as of yet, is something fans haven't seen Gordo explore in his previous projects.

The DJ explains how Diamanté is not a niche album one would usually attribute to an "artsy artist," citing how his upcoming LP has been produced to the highest level and will deliver exceptionally good music.