42 is the third studio album by Panamanian singer Sech. The album was released through Rich Music on April 15, 2021 and was co-produced by Dimelo Flow, Cerebro, and Jhon El Divertido. It contains 11 tracks with guest appearances from Wisin, Yandel, Arcángel, Nicky Jam, and Rauw Alejandro.
The album was nominated for Album of the Year - Male at the 2022 Premios Tu Música Urbano. The album peaked at number 43 and 7 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums and Independent Albums charts.
Background While his previous album was created partially during lockdown due to COVID-19, 42 was created "fully in the pandemic", where Sech used a journal from when he was younger as inspiration for the album. Production lasted about a year and a half, with Sech and the co-producers working in studios in Panama, United States cities Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami, and La Romana, Puerto Rico. The album was intended to be released at the end of the year 2020, but was postponed to 2021.
The name of the album was chosen as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, the first African American in the MLB, and Mariano Rivera, the Panamanian baseball player who wore 42 to honor Robinson and was the last MLB player allowed to wear the number 42 after the number was retired by the League.
Release and promotion
The first single of the album, "911", was released on February 5, 2021 along with a music video. The second single, "Te Acuerdas" featuring Arcángel, was released on March 19, 2021. On April 15, 2021, "Sal y Perrea" was released as a single with a music video alongside the album. At release, Sech called 42 his "best project".
Sech released a 12-minute documentary along with the album, directed by his brother Moises. The documentary focuses on the struggles Sech faced while growing up.
On October 4, 2021, NPR released Sech's Tiny Desk Concert performance, where he sang "Playa", "911", and "Sal y Perrea".
Critical reception
Accolades Work Publication List Rank 42 Billboard The 25 Best Latin Albums of 2021 So Far: Staff Picks The 20 Best Latin Albums of 2021: Staff Picks NPR The Best Latin Music of 2021 "Sal y Perrea" Pitchfork The 10 Best Songs by Latinx Artists in 2021 (So Far)
Awards and nominations Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Premios Lo Nuestro 2022 "911 (Remix)" (with Jhayco) Remix of the Year 2023 "Sal y Perrea (Remix)" (with Daddy Yankee & J Balvin) Remix of the Year Premios Tu Música Urbano2022 "Sal y Perrea (Remix)" (with Daddy Yankee & J Balvin) Remix of the Year "911 (Remix)" (with Jhayco) 42 Album of the Year - Male
Track listing
Charts
+ Weekly chart performance for 42 Chart (2019) Peakposition Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 18
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for 42 Chart (2021) Position Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 34 US Top Latin Albums (Billboard) 31 + Year-end chart performance for 42 Chart (2022) Position US Top Latin Albums (Billboard) 78
Certifications
References