Residente | |
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.jpg) Residente in 2025 | |
| Born | René Pérez Joglar (1978-02-23)February 23, 1978 (age 47) Hato Rey, Puerto Rico |
| Alma mater | Savannah College of Art and Design[1] |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse | |
| Partners |
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| Children | 1 |
| Relatives |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | Sony Latin |
| Member of | Calle 13 |
| Website | residente |
Musical artist | |
René Pérez Joglar (Latin American Spanish:[ɾeˈneˈperesxoˈɣlaɾ]; born February 23, 1978), known professionally asResidente (often stylized asResīdɛntə), is aPuerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as one of the founders of the alternative rap bandCalle 13. Residente released five albums with Calle 13 before announcing his solo career in 2015. Residente released his debut solo album in 2017. He has won fourGrammy Awards and 29Latin Grammy Awards—more than any other Latin artist. Residente has also delved into producing documentaries includingSin Mapa (2009) andResidente (2017) and has directed some of his own music videos.
Born and raised inSan Juan, Puerto Rico, Residente developed an interest in art, music, and left-wing politics at an early age. He studied art at theSavannah College of Art and Design inSavannah, Georgia, returning to Puerto Rico in 2003 to work on music with his step-brother,Visitante, with whom he formed Calle 13. Early in his career, his sarcastic and self-deprecating lyrical style garnered both praise and controversy. The group recorded five critically and commercially successful albums. His albumResidente was inspired by agenealogical DNA test the artist took to learn about his background, and was recorded in various countries around the world featuring a wide range of international musical styles. He has since released the singles "Sexo" in 2018, "Bellacoso" (withBad Bunny) in 2019, and "René" in 2020.
He has been recognized for his social contributions and serves as the face of campaigns forUNICEF andAmnesty International. He has consistently defended education in Latin America and the rights of indigenous peoples. In 2009 he criticized the governor ofPuerto RicoLuis Fortuño for laying off more than 30,000 public employees.[2] In November 2015, Residente received a recognition award in Barcelona at theWorld Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates forum due to his commitment to social awareness and for promoting peace.[3]
René Pérez Joglar was born in a hospital inHato Rey, a sector within theSan Juan area. His mother, Flor Joglar de García, is an actress who was part of the theatrical company called Teatro del 60 (Theater of the 60s). In her student years, she belonged to Juventud Independentista Universitaria or JIU (Independentist Youth of the university). René's father, Reinaldo Pérez Ramírez, is a labor lawyer, musician and writer. He studied in the Escuela Libre de Música (Free School of Music). When he was 17, together with Louis García, a trombonist and arranger, they founded the band, Latin Tempo. Reinaldo studied Political Science and Law at theUniversity of Puerto Rico with the idea of contributing to the Independence of Puerto Rico. While he was studying Political Science, he became the president of the Juventud Independentista Universitaria (JIU). Immediately after he graduated from the School of Law, he founded a law firm dedicated to representing labor unions. In 1978, he traveled to Cuba as a representative of the youth of Puerto Rico and a member of thePartido Socialista Puertorriqueño or PSP (Puerto Rican Socialist Party). In the 1980s, he traveled toNicaragua during theSandinista Revolution to show solidarity with other Puerto Ricans.[4]
René grew up in a working middle-class neighborhood inTrujillo Alto with his brothers and mother. He was surrounded by art, music and sports from early life. He taught himself to play the guitar and took saxophone and drum classes. At 12 years old, he was part of the school band as a drummer. Since he was young, his interest for drawing and music was evident, but baseball was always his passion, a sport that he practiced for many years until he finished high school.[5] When he finished school, he had to make the tough decision regarding which path to take and chose the arts. He was admitted to the Escuela de Artes Plásticas (School of Visual Arts) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He earned a scholarship based on his portfolio and transferred to theSavannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where he finished his master's degree in fine arts.
While he was studying in Savannah, René created his alias "Residente Calle 13" to relive some memories from his childhood and during his free time began to write poems and rap songs. When he finished his master's degree, he traveled toBarcelona, Spain, with the dream of working there. After failing to find employment, he decided to take film courses because he also loved this form of art.During the time he lived in Spain, he screened a short film he directed while he was a student in the SCAD calledS=emp2 orsexo = energía x masa x placer2 (Sex = Energy x Mass x Pleasure2). He presented it in Madrid and won second place in a short film festival of independent films.
When he returned to Puerto Rico, he worked on a variety of art projects. He created illustrations and 3D animations for architects. He also worked as a music video editor. During this period, he started to write again, this time from the capital,Old San Juan. René started to feed his writing with the essence of the boricua (Puerto Rican) life and its lingo. He also connected with theLa Perla neighborhood since he lived across from it. All this is reflected in his first album later on. Having reached a better understanding of how and what to write about, René approached his brother,Eduardo Cabra, to help him with the music.
Although many major labels did not pay attention to his music, René continued his search. It was not until one afternoon when René was without food in his refrigerator that he desperately called his brother, Gabriel, who recommended that he present his music toWhite Lion Records, an independent music company responsible for the success ofTego Calderón. He wrote the song "Tengo Hambre" ("I'm Hungry") during this period. Elías de León, owner of White Lion Records, and his A&R Director, Karly Rosario, were the first visionaries to see René's great potential.
Calle 13 was formed when Residente and his stepbrotherVisitante (real name Eduardo José Cabra Martínez) began creating music together in 2004.[6] Before forming the group, Residente obtained a master's degree in art from theSavannah College of Art and Design while Visitante had studied music at theUniversity of Puerto Rico.[7] Residente returned to Puerto Rico in 2003.[8] The step-brothers hosted their music on a website, and began searching for a record label to release their music commercially.[6]
After sendingdemo tapes toWhite Lion Records, the duo was offered a record deal.[6] Residente chose White Lion due to his admiration forTego Calderón, another artist on the label.[8] White Lion president Elías de León explained that his cousin and A&R director alerted him to the demo and stated, "These weird guys brought this demo. You've got to listen to it."[8] Residente was working at his day job as a draftsman for an architectural firm when he received the call that Calle 13 had been signed.[8] The group then recorded "Se Vale Tó-Tó" and released it as a single to the Puerto Rican radio station WVOZ (Mix 107), where it became a radio hit on the island.[8] To promote the group locally, Residente directed and edited the video for "Se Vale Tó-Tó" with the help of his cousin, which was filmed on a relatively small budget of US$14,000.[9]
The duo gained recognition for their controversial song "Querido FBI", which responded to the killing ofFiliberto Ojeda Ríos, a key figure of thePuerto Rican independence movement.[10] Shortly after, the duo collaborated withJulio Voltio on the single "Chulin Culin Chunfly", which reached number eight on theBillboard Hot Latin Songs chart, creating more buzz for the group.[8] After the success of "Querido F.B.I." and "Chulin Culin Chunfly", the duo headed to the studio to record its debut album. When creating music for the record, Residente explained, "I didn't care about anything. I had no commitments, I was relaxed."[11] According to Residente, the lack of critical recognition and fame allowed the rapper to express himself freely on the record.[11] When composing songs for the album, Residente began by writing lyrics and Visitante then constructed his beats to complement the lyrical content.[12]
In December of the same year, Residente was invited by theGovernor of Puerto Rico to join the campaign against Balas al Aire (Bullets in the Air). Residente and his brother, Eduardo Cabra (nicknamed "Visitante") composed "Ley de Gravedad" ("The Law of Gravity").[13] At the same time,The New York Times invited Americans to visit Puerto Rico to have the opportunity to meet "the first intellectual who reached stardom with Reggaeton".[14] His first two songs, along with the song "Suave", made him well known in Latin America.
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While writing the follow-up toCalle 13, the duo took a trip to South America to explore areas populated byLatin America's indigenous and African-descended minorities. Residente reflected on the journey, stating, "We saw horrible things, but also things that were incredibly beautiful. Some of the contrasts are really intense."[16]
Residente described the group's second album,Residente o Visitante album as more introspective and autobiographical than its predecessor.[15] He explained that the group did not feel any pressure to compete with the success ofCalle 13, and felt that the recording ofResidente o Visitante was a smoother process than the first: "The main difference for us this time around was that we had more opportunities, more tools and more money. We were also on tour at the same time, unlike the first. I spent my time writing during the travels, while my brother would write the music."[15] The album's lead single, "Tango del Pecado", was addressed to the parents of Residente's then-girlfriend, former Miss UniverseDenise Quiñones, who did not approve of the couple's relationship.[7] "Tango del Pecado" also created controversy due to the repeated chanting of "Súbele el volumen a la música satánica" (turn up thesatanic music). Residente asserted that he did not add the line to create a reaction, saying, "I never do something expecting something. I do things because I like them."[17]Residente o Visitante debuted on the U.S.BillboardTop Latin Albums chart at number one, displacingJennifer Lopez's Spanish albumComo Ama una Mujer, and on theBillboard 200 at number 52, selling about 12,000 copies in its first week.[18][19]
The group followed withLos de Atrás Vienen Conmigo on October 21, 2008. Regarding Residente's performance on the album, Jon Pareles ofThe New York Times referred to the rapper as "a visionary", and opined that "Few hip-hop or urban acts, in any language, match so much ambition to so much fun."[20] The album experimented with genres such assamba,candombe, andelectronica. The album won fiveLatin Grammys at theLatin Grammy Awards of 2009 including "Album of the Year".[21] The group generated controversy when Residente was hosting the 2009 MTV Latin America Awards and attempted to inform the audience about a strike in Puerto Rico in protest of governorLuis Fortuño's cutting of thousands of government jobs, one of which belonged to Residente's mother.[22] During the ceremony, he referred to Fortuño as a "son of a whore", which generated widespread anger towards the group.[22] Reflecting on the incident "I was upset, really upset. But I'm a little more strategic now – I want to speak the truth, but I don't want to diminish the merits of what I'm saying."[22]
On May 2, 2009, Calle 13 performed once again at theColiseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot for the release of their third albumLos de Atrás Vienen Conmigo.In the Heights playwrightLin-Manuel Miranda was invited to make an appearance after Residente had seen his acceptance speech forBest Original Score at the62nd Tony Awards.[23][24][25] Backstage, Flor Joglar de Gracia, mother of Residente and little sisterILE, revealed to Miranda their familial connection toGilberto Concepción de Gracia, founder of thePuerto Rican Independence Party.[26][27] Miranda and Residente have since confirmed their family relation through social media.[28][29][30][31]
Residente once again became the subject of debate when the duo traveled to Cuba in March 2010, to perform in front of theAmerican embassy in the country.[10] Before the show, a political prisoner had died in a hunger strike in protest of the Cuban government, and Cuban exiles in Miami criticized the group for performing at such a time.[10] Residente defended the performance, noting that it had been inaccurately reported and that "we said things that no artist had said from the stage, like 'here the people are in charge, and the government has to obey.'"[10] These events had a major impact on Residente's lyrical style and the subjects he planned to discuss on the new album: "What's making me more mature is not about my age, it's about what I'm seeing and living. I'm not saying things carelessly anymore. I'm thinking before I say them."[22]
With the lyrics onEntren Los Que Quieran, Residente took a more political approach, inspired by events that transpired after the last album.[22] "Calma Pueblo" discusses various topics including dishonest politicians,lip-synching in live performances, andpayola. Residente also references Calle 13's sponsors with the line "Adidas doesn't use me, I use Adidas."[32] Residente has described the lyrics ofMulti Viral as "more existential" and went on to say: "Suddenly, I've started to be more aware, or worried, about living and dying. I thought, maybe I can do something bigger than politics".[33]
Hoping to understand his genetic background, Residente took aDNA test that revealed his roots trace back to 10 different locations around the World, includingArmenia,Ghana, China and his homelandPuerto Rico. Such diversity inspired him to produce what would later result in a solo album, a documentary and a book released viaFusion Media Group (Univision Communications) under the same common titleResidente.[34][35] In April 2015, Residente announced that he was inSiberia working on his debut solo album.[36] Residente released his debut solo album titledResidente in 2017. The album received acclaim from the Latin music academy and mainstream critics winning theLatin Grammy for best urban music album and being namedBillboard's Best Spanish Language Album of the Year.[37]
During an interview withBillboard, Residente criticized modern Spanish language urban music citing it as uninspired, simple, ignorant and redundant.[38] This prompted hip-hop and reggaeton artistTempo to respond lyrically which led to a highly publicizedrap battle. Mainstream Hispanic journalists declared Residente victorious as well as many mainstream audiences and outlets on social media.[39] His song "La Cátedra" is a 12-minute, 1,900 word recorddiss track, beating the previous Guinness Book of World record-holders,Eminem and MC Harry Shotta.[40]
On March 11, 2017, the artist's self-titled documentary, Residente, was released. After receiving the results of his DNA test, the documentary follows Residente on a global journey tracing back his ancestors through different continents and countries.[41] Residente travels to various countries and regions including Siberia, Georgia, Moscow, China, Burkina Faso, Ghana and his home country, Puerto Rico.[41] As he travels through different regions, he collaborates with different local musicians playing indigenous instruments, creating his debut self-titled album,Residente.[42]
In April 2018, Residente released the single "Sexo" in collaboration with American producerDillon Francis. In the song, Residente theorizes that the main motivation behind all human activity is sex.[43] Residente directed the accompanying music video, which was filmed in Colombia.[43] The upbeat song and colorful video were considered to be a stylistic departure from the more serious, introspective work showcased on his solo album, withBillboard explaining that the song "talks about sex in a joyful, all inclusive (the lyrics are intentionally gender-neutral), G-rated manner."[43] In July 2019, Residente released the single "Bellacoso" featuring Puerto Rican artistBad Bunny. Musically, the song was inspired byDaddy Yankee and the lyrical content was inspired by feminist resistance, with the song advocating for consent and denouncing sexual harassment.[44] The music video, filmed in Puerto Rico, was directed by French cinematographer Gregory Ohrel.[44]
Residente released a collaboration withBad Bunny titled "Afilando los cuchillos" ("Sharpening the Knives"), a political polemic against Puerto Rican governorRicardo Rosselló.[45] He took part in mass protests against this governor, alongside Bad Bunny andRicky Martin.[46] In February 2020, Residente released the single "René".[47] The introspective song discusses depression and the killing of a close friend of the rapper by police. The seven-minute music video, directed by Residente, features the artist standing on a baseball field, reflecting on his childhood and career.[47] He described creating the song and video as therapeutic, explaining "It makes me feel like maybe people will know me a little bit more, and knowing that makes me feel better."[47] In May 2020, he released the song and accompanying music video for "Antes Que El Mundo Se Acabe", which features couples from all around the world kissing, including celebrities such as Bad Bunny and girlfriend Gabriela,Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela, andRicky Martin and his husbandJwan Yosef.[48]
On October 15, 2020, it was announced that Residente andSony Music Entertainment signed a multi-year deal. The partnership, named 1868 Studios, aimed to focus on diverse narratives, including stories featuring Latin American culture.[49]
On February 8, 2023, it was announced thatAlexander Dinelaris Jr. is working with Residente to co-write a film titledPorto Rico.[50]
On October 15, 2009, Calle 13 won the Premios MTV Latinoamérica for "Best Urban Artist".[51] Pérez hosted the ceremony, and used this exposure to insult Puerto Rican governorLuis Fortuño and comment about a civilian general strike that was organized earlier that day, held to protest the firing of more than 25,000 public employees by Fortuño's administration.[51] Pérez generated much controversy after referring to Fortuño as an "hijo de la gran puta".[52] The phrase is commonly translated as "son of a bitch", although the phrase places emphasis on the mother of the subject being a prostitute, which many found disrespectful to Fortuño's mother. Fortuño responded by saying "This individual disrespected all Puerto Rican women, all Puerto Rican mothers and the people of Puerto Rico in general."[52]
Residente has been a strong fighter in favor of Latin American education, joining protest marches in Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, among others.
In November 2011, during the Latin Grammy Awards, René wore a T-shirt that read "Educación Pública, gratuita para Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia y República Dominicana" ("Free, public education for Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic").[64]
Residente marriedSoledad Fandiño in January 2013 in a private ceremony inPuerto Rico.[65] Their son Milo was born on August 7, 2014[66] and the couple divorced in 2017.[67] After lyrics in his 2017 song "Mis Disculpas" were criticized as offensive towards people withDown syndrome andautism, Residente disclosed his own diagnoses of autism andattention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[68][69][70] He has self-identified as anarchist in his singleMis disculpas, having also previously touched on the topic in another song,Vamos a Portarnos Mal.[71]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calle 13: Sin Mapa | 2009 | Himself | Documentary, also screenwriter and music | [72] |
| Mercedes Sosa, Cantora: Un Viaje Íntimo | 2009 | Himself | Documentary | [73] |
| Old Dogs | 2009 | Tattoo artist | [74] | |
| Sonó Sonó Tité Curet | 2011 | Himself | Documentary | [75] |
| Hecho en México | 2012 | Himself | Documentary | [76] |
| Residente | 2017 | Himself | Documentary, also director and music | [77] |
| Rubén Blades Is Not My Name | 2018 | Himself | Documentary, post-production | [78] |
| In the Summers | 2024 | Vicente | [79] |
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Block: Puerto Rico | 2006 | Himself | Documentary | [80] |
| 8th Premios MTV Latinoamérica | 2009 | Himself (co-host) | TV special | [81] |
| Title | Year | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Líbano | 2017 | Himself | Short documentary, also director | [82] |
| Title | Year | Performer(s) | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Somos Anormales" | 2017 | Residente | [83] | |
| "Desencuentro" | 2017 | Residente featuringSoKo | Nominated –Latin Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video | [84][85] |
| "Guerra" | 2017 | Residente | [86] | |
| "Sexo" | 2018 | Residente andDillon Francis featuringiLe | [87] |
| Title | Year | Performer(s) | Credit | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Así de Grandes Son las Ideas" | 2014 | Calle 13 | Story | José Rivera | [88] |
En la letra de su nueva canción, Pérez Joglar revela que fue diagnosticado con autismo de pequeño.[In the lyrics of his new song, Pérez Joglar reveals that he was diagnosed with autism as a child.]
Media related toResidente at Wikimedia Commons
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