Residente

René Pérez Joglar, professionally known as Residente, works across multiple disciplines as a rapper, vocalist, author, producer, and filmmaker. Alongside his stepbrother Visitante (Eduardo José Cabra Martínez) and sister iLe (Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar), he constitutes the artistic nucleus of the rap ensemble Calle 13, an outfit that has accumulated 24 Latin Grammys—the largest total ever granted to one group. His social and humanitarian efforts extend to partnerships with UNICEF and Amnesty International. Following Calle 13’s 2015 hiatus, he released a self-titled solo album in 2017 that doubled as the score for his documentary of the same name. Subsequent charting singles encompassed 2018’s “Sexo” featuring iLe, 2019’s “Bellacoso” featuring Bad Bunny, 2020’s “Rene,” 2022’s “This Is Not America” featuring Ibeyi, and 2023’s “Bajo y Bateria,” many of which later appeared on his 2024 sophomore album LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN.

Born to an actress, Residente spent his childhood in a middle-class district. From an early age he pursued studies in music and visual arts. Although baseball remained his initial and enduring passion, he taught himself guitar and drums. During high school he served as drummer in the school ensemble. After graduation he enrolled in fine-arts courses at Escuela de Artes Plásticas; upon earning his bachelor’s degree he received a scholarship to Savannah College of Arts & Design in Georgia for graduate study. To ease academic demands he began composing poems and rap lyrics, adopting the stage name “Residente Calle 13” during this period. After completing his master’s degree he relocated to Barcelona, where he studied film and produced short works before returning to Puerto Rico. He supported himself briefly through illustration yet soon grew restless; once reggaeton surged across the island he entered the music industry by editing and directing videos.

In 2004 he established Calle 13 with Visitante. After several lean years the duo signed with White Lion Records, which issued the contentious tracks “Querido F.B.I.”—the first demo Residente submitted—and “Se Vale To-To,” their breakthrough single, securing them a subsequent contract with Sony.

Calle 13 emerged as one of Puerto Rican music’s top-selling acts and exerted influence across Latin America, the United States, Europe, and Asia through a distinctive, socially engaged, and melodically rich strain of hip-hop. Their recordings, live shows, and videos shaped an entire cohort of rappers and musicians. Although early coverage from journalists and politicians was often hostile, Puerto Rican governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá publicly acknowledged in 2005 that he listened to the group and credited their work with broadening his perspective. The band’s stature derived from endorsements by fellow artists, political figures, and cultural icons.

Calle 13 initiated collaborations with Nelly Furtado, Alejandro Sanz, and Cuba’s Orishas, among others. As recognition and awards accumulated, the group expanded its sonic palette to incorporate bomba plena, salsa, funk, rock, and jazz. From the self-titled 2005 debut through 2013’s Multi_Viral, every release attained platinum status; all charted on rap lists worldwide, three reached the pop Top 200, and each appeared in the Top 25 on the Latin Albums and Tropical charts. Individual singles simultaneously topped multiple rankings. After the world tour supporting Multi_Viral the group paused operations. Residente promptly disclosed plans for a solo project and commenced recording across China, Russia, Spain, Ghana, and Siberia.

He joined K’naan, Snow Tha Product, and Riz MC on “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done),” featured on the Hamilton Mixtape. In December 2016 he unveiled a website for the forthcoming album that previewed tracks, shared video excerpts, and documented his travels while mapping familial ancestry across nine nations. The advance single “Somos Anomales,” directed by Argentine filmmaker Alejandro Agresti, amassed more than four-and-a-half million views within weeks.

Sony issued Residente’s self-titled album in March 2017. Functioning essentially as the soundtrack to his documentary tracing ancestral roots, the project earned the Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album and received a nomination for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards.

July 2019 brought the energetic single “Bellacosa” featuring Bad Bunny, an anthem affirming feminism and condemning sexual violence. Two months later the pair unveiled “Afilando los Cuchillos,” a protest track aimed at Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Rosselló. Residente, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and additional artists participated in demonstrations on the island; Bad Bunny and Residente later appeared on Martin’s 2020 hit “Cantalo.”

In 2020 Residente finalized a multi-year agreement with Sony and launched 1868 Productions, a label and media company dedicated to diverse international stories. The single “Rene” entered the Global Top 50, while “Flow HP” with Don Omar registered across a dozen territories. The following year the collaborative Residente: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 49 reached number 18. Later in 2022 “This Is Not America” featuring Ibeyi charted in six countries. A public dispute arose after Cosculluela made a homophobic remark concerning a kiss between Tokischa and Villano Antillano; Residente confronted him on social media, prompting Cosculluela’s response “#RenéRenuncia.” In July 2023 Residente released “Bajo y Bateria,” a nearly nine-minute rhythm-section piece, while situating the exchange within broader cultural and societal tensions.

February 2024 saw the arrival of Residente’s long-awaited second album, LAS LETRAS YA NO IMPORTAN. Assembled from material gathered over seven years, the set reflects on his career and time with Calle 13. Guest appearances include Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Vico C, Rauw Alejandro, Jessie Reyez, and others. Alongside earlier tracks such as “This Is Not America,” “Ron en el Piso,” and “Problema Cabron,” the album features “313,” accompanied by a music video directed by Residente and starring Penélope Cruz.