54 Ultra is bringing his time-traveling Latin soul to Los Angeles

If you saw 54 Ultra’s “Upside Down” music video and it reminded you of 1980s shows like “Solid Gold” or “Night Tracks,” that’s understandable. It definitely has a similar feel!

Beyond his retro clothing, hair, and mustache, which clearly evoke the 1970s, the song itself feels like it could have been released during that decade. It’s a smooth, upbeat ballad reminiscent of artists like the Chi-Lites and Johnnie Taylor, and it captures the sound of the era so well that it’s difficult to replicate today.

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Three years ago, 54 Ultra didn’t intentionally set out to create a retro sound, but that’s the style he’s become known for. The artist, JohnAnthony Rodríguez (please note the combined spelling of his first and last names), is from New Jersey and has Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage.

He chose the name 54 Ultra as a combination of Frank Ocean’s 2011 album, “Nostalgia, Ultra,” and the famous Studio 54 nightclub. Between 2019 and 2020, he gained experience through internships at several recording studios, and during his free time, he focused on songwriting with the goal of creating music for other artists.

He explains that he was trying to build a career in music and connect with other musicians at the time, remembering all the demo recordings he made and shared with people he met along the way.

People kept asking who sang the demo recordings, and I’d tell them it was me. They’d often say I should keep the recordings for myself. After that happened a few times, I decided to start releasing the music on my own.

Rodríguez’s early singles, such as the upbeat tracks “What Do I Know (Call Me Baby)” and “Sierra,” were clearly influenced by indie rock. However, he started experimenting with a more classic, soulful sound with later releases like “Where Are You” and, eventually, “Heaven Knows.”

The song was featured on a 2024 “rhythm and soul” playlist created by Australian DJ Mistah Cee, fitting perfectly between tracks by Bobby Caldwell and Earth, Wind & Fire. The smooth transitions between songs were thanks to Rodríguez’s excellent production and his ability to capture the feel of the era. It was the only modern song on the playlist, and many listeners who enjoyed it later discovered more of his music.

He recalls seeing a positive impact on YouTube, with comments like, ‘I found this through Mistah Cee!’ or ‘I thought this was a classic!’ It was great to see people discovering his work that way.

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Currently, Mistah Cee’s playlist with 5.6 million views—and growing—is his most popular by a significant amount. It also marks 54 Ultra’s most-streamed song on Spotify, racking up 27 million plays. “It all happened very naturally, and I’m incredibly thankful because I truly didn’t see it coming,” says Rodríguez.

As a huge music fan, I’ve been so excited to see a comeback of that amazing Latin soul sound – the kind that reminds me of the doo-wop and boogaloo days of the 50s and 60s. Bands like Chicano Batman, Thee Sinseers, Los Yesterdays, and The Altons, plus artists like Jason Joshua and Adrian Quesada, are really gaining traction and getting people to listen. It’s fantastic because it gives a platform to showcase the many different sides of Latin culture and music, and I’m really into it.

He says he’s really thankful to be involved with that group of musicians and the broader music community, and enjoys being part of that creative environment.

Although he’s part of Generation Z, he doesn’t have the overly posed, ‘selfie-ready’ look common among many pop stars and celebrities. He also loves to dress in styles from the past, and he wears them with confidence. People might think his vintage clothing is meant to complement his music, but Rodriguez says he’s been dressing this way long before he started making soul music. He feels a sense of liberation when he wears clothes from that earlier era.

He explains that his style wasn’t about pretending to be someone else or following a trend. He simply loved the clothes from that era, believing it was a golden age for men’s fashion. Back then, people weren’t concerned with gender roles when it came to clothing—everyone wore what felt good, and sizes were consistent. It felt like a more carefree and fun time, where people didn’t worry so much about others’ opinions.

He credits Blood Orange, also known as Dev Hynes, as a significant influence, calling him his “favorite artist.” However, his musical inspirations are diverse, ranging from classic Brazilian artists like Jorge Ben Jor, Lô Borges, and Evinha to atmospheric bands from the 1980s such as the Smiths, the Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

“And Prefab Sprout,” he adds excitedly. “That’s my jam. That stuff’s crazy.”

Over the past year, his profile has risen, leading to opportunities he hadn’t imagined. He recently produced a song called “All I Can Say” for Kali Uchis’ 2025 album, “Sincerely,” and even opened for her at a concert in San José.

He recently started a world tour to support his new EP, “First Works,” with performances planned in cities like Washington D.C., Brooklyn, London, and Paris. The tour includes several California dates, with shows in Los Angeles on October 26th at the Roxy Theatre and October 28th at the Echoplex.

This tour feels like a dream come true for Rodríguez, representing the peak of his developing career. He’s also been working on his first full-length album, promising a high-energy rock sound reminiscent of his early, raw performances in small venues.

Whenever people asked about my dreams, I always said I wanted to perform for anyone, anywhere – any stage would do. I’ve always hoped my work would connect with people and truly mean something.

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2025-10-22 21:31