Howie D’s new solo single and music video, Coquí, is a beautiful celebration of both his artistry and his Puerto Rican heritage. From the very first frame, the music video immerses viewers in the stunning natural beauty of Puerto Rico, with gorgeous beachside scenery that feels warm, vibrant, and deeply personal. The ocean views, sun-soaked landscapes, and island atmosphere create the perfect backdrop for a song that clearly comes from the heart.
What makes Coquí especially exciting is hearing Howie fully embrace a Spanish-language song. As someone who has recently shared his pride in his Puerto Rican roots, seeing him step into this space feels both authentic and long overdue. He absolutely delivers, showcasing confidence, passion, and a genuine connection to the language and culture that shaped him. The video feels like a love letter to Puerto Rico, celebrating a side of himself that fans have always known was there but may not have seen expressed quite like this before.
Part of the fun leading up to the release was watching Howie document his language-learning journey on Duolingo. Those playful promotional posts gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the work and dedication he put into preparing for this project, while also making the experience feel relatable and exciting. It added an extra layer of anticipation and made the final result even more rewarding to see.
As a monolingual English speaker, I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t understand every word of the lyrics, but honestly, that didn’t matter. Great music transcends language, and Coquí has a vibe that pulls you in regardless of whether you speak Spanish. The warmth, energy, and emotion come through loud and clear, and the stunning visuals only amplify that feeling. I found myself smiling the whole way through. The musicality of the song drew me to dance alongside him, and it’s just a wonderful and upbeat sound.
That said, after watching Howie’s Duolingo journey leading up to the release, I may need to start my own lessons to fully appreciate every lyric. If Howie can put in the work and deliver a fantastic Spanish-language song, the least I can do is let the Duolingo owl aggressively remind me to practice so I can keep up!
Most of all, Coquí feels like an artist taking a meaningful creative leap. While fans know and love Howie as a member of the Backstreet Boys, this project allows him to showcase another side of himself. One that is deeply personal, culturally rich, and uniquely his own. We’re incredibly proud to see him branching out with a solo release like this, embracing his heritage, challenging himself creatively, and sharing something so authentic with the world. Coquí is not only a great song and a visually stunning video, it’s a celebration of identity, family, culture, and growth, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes him next.