Empolvado means 'dusty' or 'covered in dust'. It's derived from the noun polvo, which means 'dust'.
In this heartbreaking song, Prince Royce describes himself as a 'recuerdo empolvado' (a dusty memory), painting a vivid picture of feeling forgotten and left on a shelf. It's a beautifully sad and poetic word that captures the feeling of being a neglected part of someone's past.
Have you ever felt like you went from being someone's everything to... nothing? That's the whole mood of this bachata track by Prince Royce. He spells out the feeling of being completely devalued in a relationship, comparing himself to a "llamada perdida" (a missed call). He feels like he's become just "Ese beso olvidado" (that forgotten kiss), "Un recuerdo empolvado" (a dusty memory), and "Un mensaje borrado" (a deleted message). It's a painful list of things that were once important but are now just ignored or thrown away.
He describes his partner as both his refuge and his greatest weakness, someone who plays with his heart like a "rompecabezas" (puzzle). He feels like he's given everything—"He dado tanto y nada cambió" (I've given so much and nothing changed)—only to be left feeling empty and terrified of being forgotten. He even pleads, "No, no quiero que me olvides" (No, I don't want you to forget me). The song perfectly describes that awful feeling of being left on the sidelines by someone who was once your whole world.
Prince Royce, born Geoffrey Royce Rojas on May 11, 1989, in The Bronx, New York City, is an American singer and songwriter of Dominican descent. From a young age, Royce showed a passion for music, experimenting with songwriting and poetry before launching his professional career in 2008.
He is best known for his fresh blend of bachata, Latin pop, and R&B, which propelled his 2010 self-titled debut album to the top of the US Billboard Latin Albums and Tropical Albums charts. Hits like "Stand by Me" and "CorazĂłn Sin Cara" earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards, making him one of the leading figures in modern Latin music. Royce has since released several successful albums, including "Phase II," "Soy el Mismo," and "Five," collaborating with stars such as Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Pitbull.
Prince Royce continues to innovate by mixing traditional bachata with contemporary sounds, inspiring a new generation of Latin music fans worldwide.