Planta Industrial Charts a Sound for the Nueva Generación
WORDS BY Kayla Curtis-Evans
PHOTOS BY Nayquan Shuler
How did you both get into the music scene, and what excites you both about this medium of creative expression?
Aka the Darknight, or Drew, and Saso of Planta Industrial have always done things their way. The duo grew up together, splitting their time between the Dominican Republic and the Bronx, and have struck an unmatched creative synergy by speaking the same language in more ways than one. They’ve been inevitably shaped by the city streets and colorful musical influences surrounding them. Now, they’re helping the next generation of rising artists flourish by traveling unmarked territory and paving a path that is distinctly their own — and they’re doing it Bronx style.
New York City and the Dominican Republic are over 1,500 miles apart. But for the artists, both places are home. When they’re in the DR, they may stop into a bodega, or colmado, and pick up pan de agua and an ice-cold beer. And when they’re in the Bronx, they trade those options in for BECs and Sun Chips. Their sound is the amalgamation of these influences and early life experiences — a blend of all of the things that make them who they are. They’re bachata music, infectious drum beats, and reflective of the hungry creative energy that characterizes NYC. They are Planta Industrial, and you haven’t heard a sound like theirs before.
Drew and Saso are just getting started, too. So far, the duo has released some chart-topping tracks (already achieving virality many times over), but they don’t only want to bring viral 30-second TikTok clips to the scene. They want to change the game entirely. By introducing a novel sonic experience to their audiences, they bring a new flavor to the music industry — “We're bringing something that I don't think I've heard in my 31 years living,” Saso shared, “So I'm just excited for people to feel refreshed. Our sound hits different — you're going to want to tap in.”
Highlighting those who stand out from the crowd is what Nueva Generaciones is all about. Charging the return of Hypetrak, Corona® Extra has enlisted some of the music world’s most impactful contemporary talents to share their creative outlook, words of wisdom, and more. Read how Planta Industry is paving its own distinct path below.
I originally wasn't planning to be a musician. I was going to school for law, but I couldn't go anymore due to family legal issues. We couldn't afford it anymore. But being in the Bronx definitely inspired me. I came here from the Dominican Republic when I was around 11. I was essentially placed in the mecca; it was such a mix of cultures. It felt very natural to jump into music. I was a product of my environment. Drew and I met in high school, so we've known each other since we were about 13. Long story short, music kind of just found me. I knew from the jump that I had something going for me because of the reception I got as soon as I started dropping music. I was like, “Okay, I never got this reception going to school.” Back then, I did a lot of legal work. Nobody ever said, “Hey, I loved what you wrote in this affidavit!” [laughs].
SASO:
For me, I wasn't raised with a microphone in my hand. I love music, though. My first album that I physically bought was Get Rich or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent in the fifth grade. I grew up listening to Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, and all kinds of bachata in the Dominican Republic with my parents. It wasn't until I started falling in love with bachata at the age of 13 that I truly started studying. I started listening to what the lyrics were really saying, and thought, “I can get behind this.” I'm still kind of a shy guy, and back then, I didn't really care about being on stage. But as I got older, I did my own thing. I was always into being an artist. I was always making something, always drawing in class. People like Saso and a whole group of other friends would come to me for advice. And from there, I would start getting invited to do certain projects.
After high school, I was doing my own thing with a fashion brand called Quarter Water. It was getting me into a lot of rooms, and fashion and music go hand in hand. I started going to studio sessions and ghostwriting, and then Saso would send me some tracks, and we started to collaborate. So from the very beginning, Saso and I were always working together. I released my debut as a musician in 2023. That song caught some steam underground. It was reaching different countries at that point. So I sat down with Saso, made a song, and then the song went viral — and we're here now.
AKA:
The same type of people that were putting Drew on to that type of music, that's the crowd that I grew up in. Linkin Park is still my favorite band. There was something about the mid-2000s punk rock scene and culture that impacted Latin America and the Caribbean heavily. That’s also why it's easy for Drew and me to work together; we speak the same language. We’re immersed in so many cultures and sounds from all over that it kind of just all meshed into one. So the mixture of all of those sounds and also being Dominican is what makes Planta.
SASO:
It's New York, so just driving or walking anywhere. A big moment for me was when “Mr. Brightside” came out. I grew up very hip-hop oriented, influenced by my older brothers and what was around me. “Mr. Brightside” — hearing that was like, “Whoa, this is crazy. What is this?” [laughs]. That was definitely a reset. I was just a little Bronx boy with a Yankees fitted on, listening to The Killers getting ready for school. It was fire. So I guess everything is influential to us.
AKA:
Your music blends post-punk, alternative, reggaeton and even rock influences. It’s truly genre-fluid. Where do you pull sonic inspiration from?
How do you continually incorporate your Dominican heritage into your sound and visuals?
We had a very similar upbringing. We grew up kind of in the same areas. The first areas we both lived in weren't the best. And then there was a moment in our lives when we moved to another area, which was very good, out there in the DR. There was a switch from bachata and street rap to listening to rock music with our friends. We go back to the island every year. We pretty much live in New York and the Dominican Republic. So we're very much tapped in with the culture as it grows, develops, and evolves. Because of that, we’re really true to what we’re doing.
AKA:
We're very much tapped in with the culture as it grows, develops, and evolves. Because of that, we’re really true to what we’re doing. - AKA
The duo creates genre-defying, one-of-one rhythms influenced by their Dominican heritage and multicultural upbringing.
How do you two balance each other out as a duo? Tell me about what the behind-the-scenes process looks like when you’re working on new music together.
With my background writing for people, that's where my job comes in. Saso writes his verse, and 90% of it usually already fires. And then I'll come back with any notes. We also took about two years to build our internal team. That's a whole other part of Planta that people should know about. One of our main producers, Gabe, and also Rich from Dos Flakos, each have their own parts of Planta that bring a unique sound. Rich is more of the Caribbean side of things. Gabe is more of the heavy metal side of things. So when the four of us unite, it's beautiful.
AKA:
We talked about the music you listened to growing up, but if someone took a look at either of your playlists right now, what would they sound like?
System of a Down is my favorite metal band. I’m always listening to Iron Maiden and Linkin Park. I just listened to the Rico Nasty album as well; I've been listening to her since "Smack a Bitch." I also love Brazilian music. I love Anitta and MC Binn. I love Amaarae as well; she's one of my favorite artists.
SASO:
I'd have some Zach Bryan on there. A lot of country music recently. Let me open my Spotify right now. I have some Arabic music, I'm the Problem by Morgan Wallen. Bad Bunny, a band I like called La Oreja de Van Gogh, which translates to Van Gogh's ear. I love the name, which very much inspired Planta Industrial. The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Jay-Z; that's pretty much everything I've listened to lately.
AKA:
Touching on another facet of self-expression, how would you each describe your personal style?
I like to wear statement pieces. I won’t wear your regular sunglasses or your regular button down; they’ll have something that will kind of throw them off a little bit. My style is definitely inspired by streetwear as well.
SASO:
For me, I remember when I heard Ol' Dirty Bastard say, “There's no father to my style.” I've always been a black sheep, and I think I can never get boxed in, even down to what I wear. One day you'll catch me looking like Billie Eilish or Adam Sandler [laughs]. And then the next day, I'm in runway fits, like some Tabis with flared jeans. It's whatever my mood is. And it's about wearing anything with confidence, too. New York is cool for that — it's a place where a lot of people don't care, so you can wear whatever.
AKA:
Nueva GeneraciOnes spotlights talent who are rewriting their own creative narratives and making space for others in the industry. How do you both align with Corona Extra’s commitment to rising artistry, and what does NG represent to you?
We want to be able to let the future artists know they can create freely, without boundaries or creative limitations. Art is freedom of expression so let the kids run wild and free.
SASO:
That ice cold yet calm and relaxing feeling you get when drinking a Corona Extra … is literally the same experience when listening to Planta Industrial — a refreshing sound.
AKA:
Can you expand on the message that you would like to pass along to the next generation of artists, especially those who can relate to your background and upbringing?
The most important thing in the eight years of me doing this music thing is the consistency. If you stop, that's when you lose. For anyone who wants to get to where we are, just make sure you're being strategic. The music industry becomes more saturated by the day, so you have to be very original and true to yourself. Your first song is not going to be your best song. Maybe it will, but a lot of the time it just needs refinement, so you have to keep going at it. Greatness doesn't happen overnight.
SASO:
I want to say to the next generation that you have to know what you're doing and what exactly you're doing it for. If you just want to hang out and drop some songs with an indie label because that's your form of expression, do that. If you want to be that pop star, you know what you've gotta do. Expect all of those tough comments that come in. You've gotta grow that tough skin. Don't let anyone pressure you to be something that you really don't want to be. Just do what you want to do.
AKA:
You’ve got a new album on the way. What are you most excited for people to hear and experience?
Our music is very much about honoring the people and the artists that we look up to. We're excited for people to warp back to those times and those memories. We want to tap into our core memories and share that with you, so our audiences can tap into their core memories as well. We want to bring everyone back in time, but in a new way and through sounds that have never been mixed before. By Dominicans — that's the key thing. People have mixed rock, rap, and hip-hop — but never from two Dominicans from the Bronx.
SASO:
I just can't wait for everyone to hear it all together. It's like every bite gets better, but you need the complete plate to understand the whole concept. We want to bring nostalgia to the next generation.
AKA:
Photographer: Nayquan Shuler Writer: Kayla Curtis-Evans Executive Producer: Elana Staroselsky Senior Producer: Sarah Schecker Production Coordinator: Gina Lee Executive Creative Director: Paul Heavener Associate Creative Director: Jamier Boatman-Harrell WEB DESIGN: YENNA CHANG Stylist: Nikki Martinez Set Designer: Maisie Sattler Groomer: Nigella Miller Photo Assistants: John Manuel Gomez, Finnley Crawford Stylist Assistant: Ranxelle Soria Production Assistants: Samuel Hana, Yehuda Zilberstein
DATE: AUG. 05 2025
People have mixed rock, rap, and hip-hop — but never from two Dominicans from the Bronx. - Saso
We want to be able to let the future artists know they can create freely. - Saso
Art is freedom of expression so let the kids run wild and free. - Aka
We want to bring everyone back in time, but in a new way and through sounds that have never been mixed before. - Saso
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FIFI ZHANG
54 ultra
PLANTA INDUSTRIAL
DUENDITA
FIFI ZHANG
DREAMCASTMOE
54 ultra