“Duele” (which means It Hurts) is Jay Wheeler’s heartfelt confession that love can ache and still feel irresistible. In this mid-tempo reggaetón ballad, the Puerto Rican singer admits he has tried everything to forget an ex, yet every sunrise without her pulls him back into memories of their time together. He paints long-distance love as a beautiful contradiction: it “hurts” to be apart, yet the very pain reminds him how real the connection is. Jay’s lyrics play like a late-night text you were too shy to send, blending vulnerability, stubborn hope, and a touch of romantic stubbornness.
The song’s core message is perseverance. Jay refuses to abandon “lo nuestro”—their story—because even challenges, doubts, and sleepless nights prove its authenticity. He believes that if critics could feel the peace he finds with her, they would understand why he fights on. “Duele” invites listeners to embrace the bittersweet side of love, celebrating the idea that distance, struggle, and longing can deepen devotion rather than destroy it.
Jay Wheeler (born José Ángel López Martínez on April 25, 1994, in Salinas, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter known for his emotive voice and romantic style blending reggaeton, Latin trap, and R&B. Rising to fame after a viral video in 2016, Wheeler quickly built a dedicated fanbase and earned the nickname La Voz Favorita (The Favorite Voice).
He signed with Dynamic Records in 2018, releasing his debut album Platónico in 2019, executively produced by DJ Nelson. His follow-up album Platónicos (2020) featured the hit single "La Curiosidad" with Myke Towers, which reached number 5 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart. Jay Wheeler continues to captivate audiences with heartfelt lyrics and collaborations with top Latin artists, solidifying his place in urban Latin music.