Residente

Residente (René Pérez Joglar) is a rapper, singer, writer, producer, film director, and, along with stepbrother Visitante (Eduardo José Cabra Martínez) and sister iLe (Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar), the creative core of rap group Calle 13, whose 24 Latin Grammys are the most awarded to a single group. Residente is also known for his social and humanitarian work on behalf of UNICEF and Amnesty International. After Calle 13 went on hiatus in 2015, he issued an eponymous solo album in 2017 -- a soundtrack for his documentary film of the same title. Residente issued numerous charting singles including 2018's "Sexo" (feat. iLe), 2019's "Bellacoso" (feat. Bad Bunny), 2020's "Rene," 2022's "This Is Not America" (feat. Ibeyi), and 2023's "Bajo y Bateria," many of which were included on his 2024 sophomore full-length, LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN. The son of an actress, Residente grew up in a middle-class neighborhood. He began studying music and art as a child. His first obsession was baseball (one that continues), but he learned to play guitar and drums; he was largely self-taught. In high school, he was a drummer in the school band. After graduation, he studied Fine Arts at Escuela de Artes Plásticas, and upon completing his bachelor's degree, he won a scholarship to Georgia's Savannah College of Arts & Design for post-graduate work. To relieve the pressure of school, he began to write poems and rap songs, choosing his stage name "Residente Calle 13" during those years. After receiving his master's degree, he moved to Barcelona where he studied and made films before returning to Puerto Rico. He earned his living for a time doing illustrations but grew bored. With reggaeton exploding in Puerto Rico, he eventually found his way into the music business by editing and directing videos. In 2004, he formed Calle 13 with Visitante. After struggling for a number of years, the pair signed to White Lion Records, which issued their controversial singles "Querido F.B.I." (the first track Residente sent them as a demo) and "Se Vale To-To" (their breakthrough hit) and got them a deal with Sony. Calle 13 went on to become one of the best-selling groups in Puerto Rican music history, and influential far beyond its borders, throughout Latin America, the United States, Europe, and even Asia with their distinctive, socially conscious, and utterly musical brand of hip-hop. They inspired and influenced an entire generation of rappers and musicians with their recordings, concerts, and videos. Though their music initially came under fire from journalists and politicians, it was the Puerto Rican governor himself, Anibal Acevedo Vilá, who in 2005 admitted listening to them and having his eyes opened by their music. They earned their reputation and popularity by way of artists, statesmen, and national heroes. Calle 13 began a series of collaborations with other artists including Nelly Furtado, Alejandro Sanz, and Cuba's Orishas, to name a few. As their fame grew and awards were bestowed, the band's artistic ambitions knew no bounds and they added elements of bomba plena, salsa, funk, rock, and jazz to their sound. From their self-titled debut in 2005 to 2013's Multi_Viral, each recording went platinum; all have placed on the rap charts -- internationally -- three made the pop Top 200, and all have made the Top 25 on the Latin albums and Tropical charts. Various singles have hit the top spot on several charts simultaneously. Calle 13 went on hiatus after Multi_Viral's world tour. Residente almost immediately announced a solo album and began traveling and recording in various countries including China, Russia, Spain, Ghana, and even Siberia. He appeared with K'naan, Snow Tha Product, and Riz MC on the track "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)," which was featured on the Hamilton Mixtape. In December of 2016, Residente launched a website for his upcoming album that teased songs, offered video clips, and provided documentary information about his travels and recordings as he traced his family history across nine countries. His pre-release video single "Somos Anomales" was a provocative document directed by Argentine film director Alejandro Agresti; it it had over four-and-a-half-million views within a few weeks of its release. Residente's self-titled full-length was issued by Sony in March of 2017. Essentially, it was the soundtrack to Residente's eponymous film about his travels and encounters while tracing his family's bloodlines. The high-charting release took home the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music album. It was nominated for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. July 2019 saw Residente issue the high-energy single "Bellacosa" (feat. Bad Bunny), an anthem celebrating feminism and denouncing sexual abuse. Two months later, the pair released "Afilando los Cuchillos" a protest song against Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rossello. The duo -- along with Ricky Martin and others -- took part in protests on the island. Bad Bunny and Residente were featured guests on Martin's 2020 smash "Cantalo." In 2020, Residente inked a multi-year deal with Sony, creating 1868 Productions, a label/media concern focusing on diverse international narratives. Single "Rene" entered the Global Top 50, while "Flow HP" with Don Omar charted in a dozen countries. The following year, the collaborative Residente: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 49 peaked at 18. Later in 2022, "This Is Not America" (feat. Ibeyi) charted in six countries. A feud erupted between Residente and Cosculluela after the latter made a homophobic remark about a kiss between Tokischa and Villano Antillano during a performance; Residente called him out on social media. Cosculluela responded with "#RenéRenuncia" (René Resign). In July 2023, Residente released "Bajo y Bateria," a nearly organic nine-minute orgy with a rhythm section; he also addressed the controversy, placing it in a larger context by highlighting the cultural and societal issues underlying their war of words. In February 2024, Residente delivered his long-gestating sophomore album, LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN. Comprised of songs he had been compiling over the previous seven years, it found the rapper looking back over his career and time with Calle 13. Included on the album were a bevy of guest appearances, including Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Vico C, Rauw Alejandro, Jessie Reyez, and others. Along with previously released tracks like "This Is Not America," "Ron en el Piso," and "Problema Cabron," it featured the song "313," which arrived along with a music video Residente directed starring Penelope Cruz.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo