The Puerto Rican rapper shares a video for the track, inspired by the film The Bikeriders
It’s been nearly one year since Álvaro Díaz released his wildly popular 2024 project SAYONARA, but now he’s back for more. The Puerto Rican artist is ushering a new era in the Álvarito-verse by reuniting with veteran producer and frequent collaborator Tainy for his latest track, “PARANOIA.”
Díaz opens the track with his signature airhorn sound and puts his anxious-attachment style on full display as he desperately croons for his lover to never leave him. He shares his deepest, most insecure thoughts and feelings that erupt when a lover begins to pull away. It’s Díaz in his sadboy era, trying to hold on as tightly as he can.
The accompanying music video was inspired by the 2023 film The Bikeriders and highlights the rapper’s penchant for pop culture easter eggs. Directed by The Movement and with creative direction from the rapper himself, it features a ruthless femme fatale as she seamlessly pivots from lover to lover. The scenes accentuate the track’s desperate subject matter as Díaz lurks behind doors and waits outside of the house for his turn to sweep his lady away.
“PARANOIA,” follows the success of Díaz’z SAYONARA tour and the release of several collaborations featuring Nathy Peluso, Marc Seguí, and NSQK. In addition to the release, Díaz is gearing up for a major performance as he returns to his native Hato Rey for a sold-out, two-night performance at the famed Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot to a crowd of 22,000 loyal fans.
The new single closes out what was a major chapter for Díaz with SAYONARA. “I made this album when I was in a situation where it felt like my life depended on it,” he told Rolling Stone last year. “I put myself through a hard time creating this, so now seeing all the blessings means the world to me. It means I can trust my vision. I’ve been doing this for so long and finally, the stars are aligning, in a way. People are more used to the sound and understanding everything I wanted to do.”
