Noriel

Noel Santos Román, known professionally as Noriel, emerged as a best-selling Latin trap artist whose charting releases and distinctive high baritone positioned him early among leading voices in the genre. Initial features alongside Arcángel, Anuel AA, Ñengo Flow, and Bryant Myers helped establish his presence, yet widespread recognition across North, Central, and South America arrived in 2016 through his appearance on Maluma’s “Cuatro Babys.” That track, together with other early successes such as “Diablita,” was gathered on the 2016 project Trap Capos: Season 1, a Sony-backed compilation spotlighting key figures in Latin trap. After signing with the label, Noriel delivered Trap Capos II in April 2018; the set reached five countries and registered on four separate U.S. charts. Over the ensuing six years he continued issuing dozens of singles and featured appearances, among them the 2021 EP Cerrando Capítulo, before unveiling his third full-length album, Trap Island, in 2024.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1994, Noriel sang throughout elementary school yet followed a winding path before teaming with Carlos R. Pedraza Lacen to form the duo Kenxiel & Noriel. Their 2014 single “Miedo a Morir,” which included Johnny Stone, entered the charts and signaled the start of Noriel’s extensive work with fellow acts. From that point he became a frequent collaborator, appearing on recordings by Juhn, Riko, Santana the Golden Boy, Darkiel, Bryant Myers, and numerous additional artists.

In 2016 Noriel launched solo digital releases that included “La Llamada” with Brytiago and “Fanatico del Full” featuring Baby Rasta, Darrel, and Ñengo Flow. His Sony debut single, “Diablita” with Anuel AA and Baby Rasta, achieved similar chart traction and later surfaced on Trap Capos: Season 1, whose roster also encompassed Farruko, Miky Woodz, and Baby Rasta. The collection performed strongly on streaming platforms and earned double-platinum certification. The next year brought nine new singles plus additional guest spots, highlighted by the gold-certified “Desperté Sin Ti,” the platinum “Doble Personalidad” alongside Yandel, and a remix awarded triple-platinum status.

Trap Capos II arrived in 2018, climbed into the Top Ten on the Top Latin Albums chart, and subsequently received platinum recognition. Noriel then embarked on tours across the United States, the Caribbean, and Mexico while maintaining a rapid release schedule. The 2019 single “Cuerpo en Venta,” which featured Almighty, Myke Towers, and Rauw Alejandro, attained triple-platinum honors. In May 2024 he issued Trap Island, his third album. Retaining the mixtape sensibility of prior efforts, the 14-track project limited guests to half its songs, with Brytiago on “Oxes,” Ovi, Eladio Carrion, and Jon Z on “Hot Sauce,” and Gigolo y La Exce on “Pensadotes.”